BLUES (13-13-2) at CANUCKS (14-8-4)

10 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNP, FDSNMW

Did you know that the Canucks are only 1 point of their pace from last year after 26 games? I didn't and it brings some calm to my mind. This team waited over 15 games for Petey to wake up....Demko hasn't played a minute....Brock was out for a stretch......and JT Miller has been out for a stretch, and yet this team is still near the top of the division, with games in hand.

Van's top line had trouble last game. (Jake,Petey & Brock) They couldn't get good looks on net and all of them were -2 last game. The Lightning were very aggressive pressing this line to move the puck and quality chances were few. The Canucks PP without Hughes was showcased in the first. Terrifying is a word that pops into my mind. Even with Hughes, this team struggles with an aggressive PK that has active sticks in the lanes.

Anyone worried about Dakota Joshua? He is still trying to find his legs and his a stable place in the lineup. The second part is probably more to do with the fact JT is not on the ice and the lines are a mess. But not having a preseason has shown in his play. Hopefully his instincts kick in and he can start pushing people around in front of the net again.

I am still wondering when the Canucks pull the trigger on the Hogs trade. The D needs help. Carson Soucy should not be getting so many 2nd pairing minutes. Is Carson the new Giraffe? Is Myers finally dependable? Sorry....went too far there.

The Canucks face a Blues team who already made a big splash by firing their coach....which really hasn't changed their direction so far. The Blues are in a tough division and their lack of special in special teams has them floundering. Of course, coming into Rogers could change their fortunes, as home ice is not friendly for the Canucks. I look forward to Petey getting a hat trick and yelling "Calder Winner!!" at Binnington.

Hey...did I mention that someone else is starting in net tonight for the Canucks. Some American kid.

There was another American guy who skated with the team for the first time in a couple weeks.

LINEUPS

Blues projected lineup

Jake Neighbours -- Robert Thomas -- Pavel Buchnevich

Dylan Holloway -- Brayden Schenn -- Jordan Kyrou

Brandon Saad -- Oskar Sundqvist -- Zack Bolduc

Alexey Toropchenko -- Radek Faksa -- Nathan Walker

Philip Broberg -- Colton Parayko

Ryan Suter -- Justin Faulk

Pierre-Olivier Joseph -- Matthew Kessel

Joel Hofer

Jordan Binnington

Scratched: Scott Perunovich, Mathieu Joseph, Alexandre Texier

Injured: Nick Leddy (lower body)

Canucks projected lineup

Jake DeBrusk -- Elias Pettersson -- Brock Boeser

Dakota Joshua -- Pius Suter -- Conor Garland

Nils Hoglander -- Teddy Blueger -- Kiefer Sherwood

Aatu Raty -- Max Sasson -- Danton Heinen

Quinn Hughes -- Tyler Myers

Carson Soucy -- Noah Juulsen

Mark Friedman -- Vincent Desharnais

Thatcher Demko

Kevin Lankinen

Scratched: Erik Brannstrom

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

Status report

Broberg, who has played four games after missing 12 with a lower-body injury, did not take part in the morning skate, but coach Jim Montgomery said it was a “maintenance day” and he will be available. … Perunovich, a defenseman, comes out of the lineup for Pierre-Olivier Joseph, who was a healthy scratch in a 4-2 loss at the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. … Leddy, a defenseman who has not played since Oct. 15, was on the road trip and practicing before being sent back to St. Louis after the game in Edmonton for further evaluation. … Demko will make his season debut, his first game since injuring his left knee in the first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season on April 21. … Canucks forward J.T. Miller skated with the team Tuesday for the first time since taking a personal leave of absence Nov. 19 but will not play. … Forbort, a defenseman who hasn’t played since Nov. 2, is practicing without a noncontact jersey and could return against the Florida Panthers on Thursday.

GAME DAY CHATTER

”Really good rush team. [St.Louis] is playing well…They’re playing faster. Our rush defence has to be up to par.”

🗣 Hear from Head Coach Rick Tocchet ahead of tonight's game against the Blues.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/RTvSHn7UyY

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 10, 2024

“Nice to have him around back in the room.”

🗣 Conor Garland speaks on J.T. Miller back skating with the team, and the return of Thatcher Demko for tonight's game.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/9FZUgvnMWS

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 10, 2024

GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN

I have been going down the rabbit hole of Canadian rock on Spotify lately. There have been several bands that should have never been formed and others that leave me wondering what happened to them. The Tea Party was one such band that was severely overplayed in a CRTC landscape, but it's nice to hear them at one's choosing.

Go Canucks Go!