Coming off a tough loss in Edmonton on Sunday, the Canucks are back at it, this time a little further south as they head to Cowtown to take on the Flames.

Well, the injury news about Nils Hoglander wasn't the worst it could be, but it was far from optimal.

The Canucks have a number of options available to them, and some of them will involve Braeden Cootes and Jonathan Lekkerimaki. Cootes has looked pretty solid for his first dip into the professional pool, and has likely earned himself at least the 9 game look to see if he's got what it takes for the Canucks to move forward and use the first year of his ELC. Lekkerimaki has also had a good camp, and coming off solid play in Abbotsford last season, might be ready to make the jump to full time in the NHL. There's a number of line shuffling options available to them, and they have time to sort things out before they face this Flames team at home in eight days time.

The Canucks played alright on Sunday, missing some rather large chunks of their opening night lineup, while the Oilers had nearly all of their regulars in, so for that game to be as close as it was made that loss somewhat acceptable at least.

There's still some lineup decisions to be made as the Canucks play the second to last game of the preseason, and by the game on Friday night at home against the Oilers, we should have a clearer idea who's going to start the season with the Canucks, who's going to Abbotsford, and who's going back to junior. And with the Canucks rumored to be in the running for Lukas Reichel of the Chicago Blackhawks, things will be far from boring until opening night on the 9th.

LINEUPS

GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN

As far as the world of metal goes, there are few albums this year that have been as anticipated as the return of LA's thrash legends DARK ANGEL. It's been 34 years since their last release 'Time Does Not Heal', and moving on in memory of guitarist Jim Durkin, who passed in 2023, Gene Hoglan (Strapping Young Lad, Death, Testament, Zimmers Hole) and crew have put together an album worthy of this band's impressive legacy. And the album was recorded right here in Vancouver at The Armoury Studios! Here's the title track to 'Extinction Level Event'.

Enjoy the game. Fight fascism. Eat your veggies. Go Canucks Go!