The Canucks come into the last game of this road trip in Minnesota with a 4-1 record. Most of the games were not pretty, but as I keep saying, this team just needs to win games in any fashion until they can get most of their stars back. Brock is back and while he was a waste of time on the third line in his first couple games, you could see he found something when he was reunited with Petey. Brock had 3 assists in the last two games and was skating a lot better. Obviously, we all want him to score, but the hot hand on that line is Jake, so get that guy the puck.

As you can see, the Pacific division is very competitive at this point. The Canucks seem to be active in calling people about getting defensive help. With Hronek out, you can see the circus in the bottom 4 on some nights. The Canucks can't afford to go on any sort of losing streak, as they could end up near the bottom of the division very quickly.

Today the Canucks face the Central division leading Minnesota Wild. That felt weird to type, especially after the start by the Winnipeg Jets. The Canucks have no luck against the Wild as the Wild are 13-3-1 against the Nucks in their last 17 games face to face. Everyone remember that game last year, where the Canucks got off to a 4-1 start against the Wild.....and then all hell broke loose and the Wild won 10-7. Fun hockey....unless you lose the game, and then it's called a shitshow.

JT Miller 🐐 #canucks pic.twitter.com/t7OrpDY9kP

— terra (@terracre) December 1, 2024

I wish there was some sort of news when it comes to J.T. Miller. Unfortunately, I don't think we hear anything until after Christmas. Twitter is the place of guaranteed information, so I have seen everything from a guaranteed trade to guaranteed not to leave...ever. I am so confused.

I actually think Hogs gets traded before anything happens with J.T.. Hogs has dropped down in the lineup due to the fact he can't score and has struggled with his 200 foot game.

LINEUPS

Canucks projected lineup

Jake DeBrusk -- Elias Pettersson -- Brock Boeser

Dakota Joshua -- Pius Suter -- Conor Garland

Nils Hoglander -- Teddy Blueger -- Kiefer Sherwood

Max Sasson -- Aatu Raty -- Danton Heinen

Quinn Hughes -- Tyler Myers

Erik Brannstrom -- Vincent Desharnais

Carson Soucy -- Noah Juulsen

Kevin Lankinen

Arturs Silovs

Scratched: Mark Friedman

Injured: Derek Forbort (knee), Filip Hronek (upper body)

Wild projected lineup

Kirill Kaprizov -- Joel Eriksson Ek -- Matt Boldy

Marcus Johansson -- Marco Rossi -- Ryan Hartman

Marcus Foligno -- Frederick Gaudreau -- Yakov Trenin

Devin Shore -- Marat Khusnutdinov -- Ben Jones

Jake Middleton -- Brock Faber

Declan Chisholm -- Jared Spurgeon

Jon Merrill -- Zach Bogosian

Filip Gustavsson

Marc Andre-Fleury

Scratched: Liam Ohgren, Jesper Wallstedt

Injured: Jakob Lauko (lower body), Mats Zuccarello (lower body), Jonas Brodin (upper body)

Status report

Vancouver did not hold a morning skate. … Zuccarello was placed on long-term injured reserve Tuesday. The forward last played Nov. 14. … Lauko, a forward, and Brodin, a defenseman, were placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Each has missed the past three games. …Ohgren, a forward, and Wallstedt, a goalie, were recalled from Iowa of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.

GAME DAY CHATTER

“There’s more to these moments. Juulsen blocks three shots, couple guys with a good stick…I look at the little things - when you accumulate all the little things, that’s a good team.”

🗣 Coach Tocchet discusses the road mentality and the importance of key moments in games. pic.twitter.com/FaptMgNRii

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 2, 2024

“Really fortunate to play behind such a good team. A lot of credit goes to the guys, playing unbelievable hockey.”

🗣 Kevin Lankinen with Rinkside Reporter Olivia McDonald crediting the team for his road success, and discussing how important the mental side of the game is. pic.twitter.com/HpJELZsTF5

— Canucks Insider (@CanucksInsider) December 2, 2024

GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN

Referring back to the Canucks record versus the Wild over the past few years, the word "Unkind" might not cover it, but it sure ties in nicely to the Sloan song down below.

Go Canucks Go!