Vancouver Canucks Reveal the Real Reason Why Elias Pettersson Is Being Healthy Scratched
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Adam Foote revealed post-game why he made defenseman Elias Pettersson a healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
For the first time eight days, the Vancouver Canucks took to the ice at Rogers Arena as they took on Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks with Head Coach Adam Foote making some big lineup changes.
After suffering an injury last Tuesday against the New York Rangers, Conor Garland returned to the Canucks' lineup in place of former Stanley Cup champion Mackenzie MacEachern, who is likely Abbotsford bound in the days ahead as more players return from injury.
Adam Foote made another change to his lineup, this one coming as a bit of a surprise to many, as defenseman Elias Pettersson was made a healthy scratch while Pierre-Olivier Joseph returned to the lineup after sitting out Monday's overtime win in Nashville.
Vancouver Canucks' Adam Foote reveals why he decided to scratch defenseman Elias Pettersson
The Canucks would go on to lose Wednesday's game by a score of 5-2, allowing five goals in the final frame after beginning the period 0-0, something that undoubtedly frustrated the team's fans.
While Pierre-Olivier Joseph may have picked up his first point as a Vancouver Canuck on Aatu Raty's first of the season, many were puzzled as to why it was Elias Pettersson who came out of the lineup and Adam Foote explained his decision after the game.
When speaking with reporters, Adam Foote said that his decision to scratch Elias Pettersson came down to him "playing a lot of hockey" and that he's young, saying that it was a bit of a reset for the 21-year-old.
Yeah, he's young. He's played a lot of hockey - a lot of minutes for sure." Foote told reporters.
Pettersson, a native of Vasteras, Sweden, was one of just ten players to suit up in all of Vancouver's games heading into Wednesday and while Adam Foote says he's played a lot of minutes, the blueliner is only averaging 14:12 a night, which isn't necessarily a ton.
With the Vancouver Canucks set for back-to-backs this weekend at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche, look for Elias Pettersson to draw back into the lineup, likely on the third pairing alongside Tyler Myers.
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