Head coach Bruce Boudreau will have to get creative with his line management tonight since Elias Pettersson wasn't skating again today. Lane Pederson, who's been called up from Abbotsford last night, skated down the middle in today's practice. Brock Boeser on his part was back on the ice after recovering from an illness that kept him out of Wednesday's game against the Flames.
Definitely, big shoes to fill for newcomer Lane Pederson, J.T. Miller centers the line alongside Mikheyev and Kuzmenko, while Garland takes the wing with Horvat and Lazar. No changes to the 4th line. Hoglander, Pederson, and Dries occupied the 3rd line, with Boeser taking some rounds.
On the defensive side of things, it appears Stillman will get back in the lineup paired with Tyler Myers, while Ethan Bear may get an actual chance to skate with Quinn Hughes. The defensive pairings were completed by Luke Schenn and OEL.
Based on what the power play unit looked like, even if he seemed healthy, expect Brock Boeser to be a healthy scratch in tonight's game. The right-winger will be missing a second straight game.
Spencer Martin was the first netminder off the ice, indicating he'll get the start as expected. He was not exceptional in their win against the Flames, but he still ended up with the win, which in the end, is all that matters.
POLL | ||
17 DECEMBRE | 168 ANSWERS Big changes in the Canucks lineup Will the PP be as good, even if Pettersson is not playing? | ||
Hell no | 138 | 82.1 % |
Yes, as long as Hughes plays the QB | 24 | 14.3 % |
Yes, Garland can take his job | 6 | 3.6 % |
List of polls |