4 p.m. ET; SNP, KCOP-13, Victory+
Does one of Elias Pettersson or Rick Tocchet have to go? #Canucks
Presented by @SurreyMits
— Sekeres and Price (@sekeresandprice) April 3, 2025
Let's start here...what a weird choice. Either the highest paid player goes or the coach? I don't listen to these guys, probably because of questions like this.
I want to start dissecting what the fuck went wrong this year, but there are still 7 games left to add material to my rant. Kent and I actually agree on something for once in a blue moon.....Coach Taco needs to go. I am not sure what changed from last year to this year when it came to creating offence and using the speed on breakouts. So much time has been spent on forwards playing defense that this team looks a lot like Willie D's team the year after they made the playoffs.
I have another conspiracy theory that I will get to when the Canucks are golfing. It has to do with ownership loving this outcome to the year. Frankie would love nothing more than to shed salary and make more profit.
The Canucks will limp out the season with this lineup and a guy like Pius Suter will get more points on the 1st line and increase his next contract and leave Vancouver. (Frankie will let him walk to save money)
Game Day Lineups
Ducks projected lineup
Frank Vatrano -- Ryan Strome -- Troy Terry
Cutter Gauthier -- Leo Carlsson -- Alex Killorn
Trevor Zegras -- Mason McTavish -- Sam Colangelo
Jansen Harkins -- Isac Lundestrom -- Brett Leason
Jackson LaCombe -- Radko Gudas
Olen Zellweger -- Jacob Trouba
Oliver Kylington -- Drew Helleson
Lukas Dostal
Ville Husso
Scratched: Nikita Nesterenko, Pavel Mintyukov
Injured: John Gibson (lower body), Robby Fabbri (upper body), Ross Johnston (upper body)
Canucks projected lineup
Jake DeBrusk -- Pius Suter -- Brock Boeser
Drew O'Connor -- Teddy Blueger -- Conor Garland
Linus Karlsson -- Nils Aman -- Jonathan Lekkerimaki
Dakota Joshua -- Aatu Raty -- Kiefer Sherwood
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Marcus Pettersson -- Victor Mancini
Derek Forbort -- Elias Nils Pettersson
Thatcher Demko
Kevin Lankinen
Scratched: None
Injured: Tyler Myers (undisclosed), Filip Chytil (concussion), Noah Juulsen (lower body), Elias Pettersson (upper body), Nils Hoglander (undisclosed)
Status Report
Gibson, a goalie, did not practice on Friday and won’t play Saturday after leaving the second period of a 4-1 loss at the Calgary Flames on Thursday, but coach Greg Cronin did not have an update beyond that. Husso was called up from San Diego of the American Hockey League on Friday. … Nesterenko, a forward, might draw in for Leason. … Myers, a defenseman, did not practice on Friday after missing the final 11:47 of a 5-0 loss against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, is day to day and “probably won’t play (against Anaheim),” coach Rick Tocchet said. … Hoglander, a forward, practiced on Friday without a non-ontact jersey for the first time since a March 22 injury but is expected to miss a sixth straight game. … Aman left practice early Friday after a heavy fall into the boards but there was no update on his status for Saturday.
Game Day Chatter
"We got some young guys here that we got to just keep preaching good habits."
🗣 Head Coach Rick Tocchet speaks on building a foundation with the young guys in the lineup, some injury updates, and more. pic.twitter.com/1rDXjdViF4
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 4, 2025
“Pretty good so far. I’ve been working hard.”
🗣 Nils Höglander speaks on making his return to practice and on his overall game as of late. pic.twitter.com/5DTzsVTqI4
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 4, 2025
I can't call this game must-win, because at this point it would really come down to teams ahead of the Canucks losing all their games for playoffs to be achievable.
Game Day Battle Hymn
I dedicate this hymn to Coach Taco, who is a big supporter of the small things.
Go Coconuts go!
Another regulation loss has just about sealed the fate of the Vancouver Canucks. With just 8 games remaining, they have just eight games left. They'll need to pretty much run the table AND get help to make the playoffs.
Vancouver Canucks (34-27-13) vs. Seattle Kraken (31-38-6)
7:00 pm PST; 10:00 pm EST
TV: Sportsnet Pacific
Radio: Sportsnet 650
A frustrating season is drawing to a close, as once again, high expectations proved to be unwarranted, and despite early indications in this regime that things would change, yet we seem to be stumbling down the same mediocre path we've been enduring for years now. In a season where missing the post season after last year's unexpected success should be met with accountability, instead we hear the team is preparing to re-sign Rick Tocchet and punish this fan base with more uninspired, ineffective drivel trying to pass itself off as NHL hockey. It makes one wonder what we did to deserve this?
But, since we're getting paid to um... wait, we're not getting paid anymore. Dammit. Okay, so while this all feels as pointless as life itself right now, we're going to do what one does in this situation: put on a barely passable smile and go through the motions.
IF the Canucks are to go on a run and do the thing, I suppose starting it off on a team that's already playing for nothing is a good place to start. As expansion teams go, the Seattle Kraken are definitely not the Vegas Golden Knights. And that's good, because a) the way the NHL and other teams enabled Vegas to become as powerful as they are is shameful, and b) fuck those guys for not doing anything to build an actual rivalry with the Canucks.
Another thing they need to do? Roll with Demko. Play Lankinen against the Ducks Saturday and then back to Demko Sunday against Vegas. And then the rest of the way. It's not like he's been ground down by a 60 start season. He's as fresh as he'll ever be at this time of the year, so ride that horse to the got dang playoffs, man.
It doesn't look like they'll get much help the rest of the way. Nils Hoglander is still out, but will be the first to return, which, given there's just eight games left, means there's a real chance that Elias Pettersson will join Filip Chytil in the "not coming back this season" club. Of course, that's not for certain, but he hasn't started practicing yet, so the bulk of the work they need to do to get to the postseason will have to be with Petey sidelined. You have to believe he'll be available for playoff games, should that happen, though.
LINEUPS
Hey look, it's tonight's possible lineups, taken from that nhl dot com thing...
10:30 p.m. ET; SNP, TVAS2, KONG, KING 5, KHN
Kraken projected lineup
Tye Kartye -- Matty Beniers -- Kaapo Kakko
Jani Nyman -- Chandler Stephenson -- Jordan Eberle
Jared McCann -- Shane Wright -- Andre Burakovsky
Ryan Winterton -- John Hayden -- Mikey Eyssimont
Vince Dunn -- Adam Larsson
Ryker Evans -- Brandon Montour
Jamie Oleksiak -- Cale Fleury
Joey Daccord
Philipp Grubauer
Scratched: Josh Mahura
Injured: Eeli Tolvanen (undisclosed), Jaden Schwartz (undisclosed)
Canucks projected lineup
Jake DeBrusk -- Pius Suter -- Brock Boeser
Drew O'Connor -- Teddy Bleuger -- Conor Garland
Linus Karlsson -- Nils Aman -- Jonathan Lekkerimaki
Dakota Joshua -- Aatu Raty -- Kiefer Sherwood
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Marcus Pettersson -- Tyler Myers
Derek Forbort -- Elias Nils Pettersson
Thatcher Demko
Kevin Lankinen
Scratched: Victor Mancini
Injured: Filip Chytil (concussion), Noah Juulsen (lower body), Elias Pettersson (upper body), Nils Hoglander (undisclosed)
GAME DAY CHATTER
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Not sure how I missed this one back in the day, but I stumbled across a great cover of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' 'Trip At The Brain' from Danish thrashers HATESPHERE.
Enjoy the game, everyone. Fuck fascists, fuck Trump, fuck Elon and fuck the Conservative party. Go Canucks Go!
The Canucks have been playing somewhat better, but thanks to a losing skid are still around .500 since the 4 Nations Cup and that's simply not good enough to get them into the post season. They'll have to pretty much run the table AND hope that the red hot Blues finally cool off just to make it, which seems unlikely.
Vancouver Canucks (34-26-12) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (32-29-9)
4:00 pm PST; 7:00 pm EST
TV: Sportsnet Pacific
Radio: Sportsnet 650
The win over the Islanders on Wednesday night was impressive for a number of reasons. With the pressure on, against a team in the exact same situation, the Canucks came out and played an outstanding road performance, making the most of their opportunities and again getting some outstanding goaltending from Thatcher Demko. Whatever the issues were with Demko earlier this season, they seem to be healed, as he's been outstanding in his last few outings. And they're going to need their All Star goaltender to be lights out if they want a sniff at this. The problem is, they've dug such a hole for themselves that it might not matter.
The St Louis Blues came from two goals down to win 3-2 over Nashville last night. How lucky are the Blues right now? Nashville had the potential game tying goal disallowed as the puck crossed the line a fraction of a second after the end of regulation. When you say the Canucks cannot buy a break right now, this is what it means. That's four in a row and seven wins in the last ten for the Blues, who have been the best team in the NHL since the 4 Nations break. All those overtime losses for the Canucks are indeed coming back to bite them on the ass, as they are still five points back of the Blues. The only good thing, is that they have two games in hand, one of which they will use tonight.
With Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander injured on this trip, the Canucks have needed to get some secondary scoring happening, and Wednesday was a perfect example of it, as they got goals from Aatu Raty, Teddy Blueger, and Derek Forbort (who has been playing some outstanding hockey of late), along with a pair of goals from Keifer Sherwood. Yes, we need to see a revitalized Brock Boeser continuing to light it up, and guys like Jake DeBrusk and Conor Garland contribute, but we're at least seeing a complete buy in from this team and confidence in their play that was missing for large chunks of this season.
They've got a massive game against the Jets on Sunday afternoon against a team that will be looking for a little payback after getting humbled by the Canucks in that 6-2 win in Vancouver March 18th, but they can't afford to take their eyes off Columbus. With the Jackets playing emotional hockey all year in tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau, they'd love nothing more to add a Cinderella playoff run to the story of the season, and are by no means a push over. A win this afternoon will ensure a winning record on this road trip, and get them in position to come out of it with a potential 9 of a possible 12 points. With an insanely tough last 8 games where they face Dallas, Colorado, Minnesota and two against Vegas, they cannot afford to drop a single game the rest of the way.
Columbus comes into this one extremely well rested. They defeated the Islanders in a shootout Monday, which had snapped a six game losing streak for the Blue Jackets. One thing to be careful of, is giving up the first goal to the home team in this one. The Jackets are an impressive 18-2-3 when scoring first at home.
LINEUPS
From the totally not wonky and always works like a charm nhl dot com... here's what we could see today from these teams...
7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, SNP
Canucks projected lineup
Jake DeBrusk -- Pius Suter -- Brock Boeser
Drew O'Connor -- Teddy Blueger -- Conor Garland
Dakota Joshua -- Aatu Raty -- Kiefer Sherwood
Linus Karlsson -- Nils Aman -- Jonathan Lekkerimaki
Quinn Hughes -- Filip Hronek
Marcus Pettersson -- Tyler Myers
Derek Forbort -- Elias Pettersson
Kevin Lankinen
Thatcher Demko
Scratched: Victor Mancini, Arturs Silovs, Max Sasson
Injured: Filip Chytil (concussion), Noah Juulsen (lower body), Elias Pettersson (undisclosed), Nils Hoglander (undisclosed)
Blue Jackets projected lineup
Dmitri Voronkov -- Sean Monahan -- Kirill Marchenko
Boone Jenner -- Adam Fantilli -- Kent Johnson
Cole Sillinger -- Justin Danforth -- Mathieu Olivier
Zach Aston-Reese -- Sean Kuraly -- Luke Kunin
Zach Werenski -- Dante Fabbro
Ivan Provorov -- Damon Severson
Denton Mateychuk -- Erik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov
Scratched: Jordan Harris, Jack Johnson, Christian Fischer, Yegor Chinakhov, James van Riemsdyk, Jack Williams, Jake Christiansen
Injured: None
So it looks as though they're going to go with Kevin Lankinen in goal today and go back to Demko on Sunday, which makes sense to me. There's a possibility that Teddy Blueger is banged up, which has led to a call up of Max Sasson from Abbotsford. Other than that, there doesn't seem to be any other changes. On the other side of the ice, the Jackets are healthy, so much so that they have Jack Johnson and James van Riemsdyk listed as healthy scratches.
GAME DAY CHATTER
Woof. But, it makes it all the more impressive if they pull this thing off.
Great stuff here from Joey showing how much better things are with a strong development system in place with the Abbotsford Canucks. Manny Malhotra and his crew have kept things alive for the parent club this season by providing guys who can slot in and fill roles, everything that you want from your farm team.
It's not going to happen, but good god, that might be the funniest thing ever. And with the Oilers in a seeming free fall at the moment, it's genuinely not beyond the realm of possibility. Their lead over the Canucks shrinks to five points with a Canucks win tonight, though the Oilers would have a game in hand. I see they have two games against the Sharks and Ducks, but they also face Vegas, St Louis, Winnipeg and a pair against Los Angeles including a back to back with travel (In Winnipeg then home to LA). The longer they have Connor McDavid out, and continue playing poorly, the closer to a historic collapse we find them in. And that is genuinely a good thing.
Willander is expected to sign with the Canucks if Boston University loses this game, and we could very well see another potential piece of the future in the lineup down the stretch.
Genuinely sad to see them call it a day. I've always been a big believer in support for the other content creators, and felt that we're pretty damn lucky as Canucks fans to have so many quality writers, blogs and podcasts over the years. PON was absolutely one of the best, and I will miss them. On behalf of all of us here at NM, congrats on a hell of a run, and thank you!
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Hey, it's that time where you 'stick to sports' people get mad at me. Here's the deal. We're in trouble in Canada, folks. Trump and his government are fascists. Full stop. No hyperbole. And with an election coming up, the CONservatives are asking us to believe that the people they've been supporting since before his first presidency are now against him? We're not that dumb, Pierre. Don't hand our nation, our future, over to a bunch of Quisling bastards who will bend the knee for their fascist idol. Here's Jello Biafra with Napalm Death, warning everyone the first time that asshole was in office, that things have to change.
Enjoy the game. Fuck Trump, fuck Musk, fuck fascism and fuck the USA! Go Canucks Go!
7:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, SN, TVAS
Look at the lineup below....Good lord. Not a lot of skill....but there is a lot of "Grit". Maybe this is the type of team that can grind out a few must wins, with a goalie named Demko. I hope someone is whispering the word "playoffs" to Demko and then blow bubbles around him to remind him of the good times. One last run for Thatcher before he gets traded at the draft. Frankie is liquidating faster than Hudson's Bay.
Unfortunately, the Canucks need the Flames to remember they suck and start losing ASAP.
Hey Calgary!
Game Day Lineups
Canucks projected lineup
Jake DeBrusk -- Pius Suter -- Brock Boeser
Jonathan Lekkerimaki -- Teddy Bleuger -- Conor Garland
Drew O'Connor -- Nils Aman -- Kiefer Sherwood
Dakota Joshua -- Aatu Raty -- Linus Karlsson
Quinn Hughes -- Tyler Myers
Marcus Pettersson -- Filip Hronek
Derek Forbort -- Elias Pettersson
Thatcher Demko
Kevin Lankinen
Scratched: Victor Mancini, Arturs Silovs
Injured: Filip Chytil (concussion), Noah Juulsen (lower body), Elias Pettersson (undisclosed), Nils Hoglander (undisclosed)
Islanders projected lineup
Simon Holmstrom -- Bo Horvat -- Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- Anthony Duclair
Pierre Engvall -- Casey Cizikas -- Hudson Fasching
Maxim Tsyplakov -- Kyle MacLean -- Marc Gatcomb
Alexander Romanov -- Tony DeAngelo
Adam Pelech -- Noah Dobson
Mike Reilly -- Ryan Pulock
Ilya Sorokin
Marcus Hogberg
Scratched: Scott Perunovich, Matt Martin, Scott Mayfield, Adam Boqvist
Injured: Mathew Barzal (lower body), Semyon Varlamov (lower body)
Status report
Demko will make his second straight start after missing 15 games with a lower-body injury. ... Fasching will return after missing a 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday because of illness. ... Boqvist, a defenseman who played forward Monday, will come out.
Game Day Chatter
“We don’t want to sit back. We want to be aggressive.”
🗣️ Head Coach Rick Tocchet speaks on facing the Islanders tonight, Pius Suter’s play, and more following this morning's skate.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/FxzDmN1WKg
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 26, 2025
“Every game is like a playoff game. High intensity.”
🗣️ Conor Garland on the upcoming stretch of games, the test the Islanders will bring tonight, and more.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/nnlKKi8x7k
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 26, 2025
Math is fun
If the #Canucks lose in regulation to the New York Islanders, they are basically done for the season pic.twitter.com/YvqmBHS281
— Adam Kierszenblat (@Adamkblat) March 26, 2025
Game Day Battle Hymn.
It's been a long, disappointing season and the hope is slowly draining from us....but, you can grab a drink of your choice and get that last bit of optimism in you veins.
Go Coconuts Go!
RED WINGS (26-21-5) at CANUCKS (23-18-10)
8 p.m. ET; SNP, TVAS (JIP), FDSNDET
Whose team is this? I didn't sign up for this team. I guess any Canuck fan could have uttered those words since 1970. Of course I am willing to give this team a chance. The last loss didn't count (just in the standings) because all the pieces weren't here yet. So tonight we get to see Chytil, O'Conner and another Pettersson, but I think the best news is the fact that Carson Soucy is back to playing 3rd pairing minutes. Throw in the return of Kiefer Sherwood and I might have a little bit of hope for this team.
So, now that J.T. is gone, is this really Petey's team....or does Quinn have more of a say in the room? Notice I didn't say Brock. He may be the longest serving Canuck, but he has never seemed like the go to guy. I wish he would start going to the net. This team is still struggling to find an identity and there doesn't seem to be a strong leader. Leadership by committee seems dicey, but maybe if this team can get on a winning streak....who knows?
With all this negativity that oozes from Kent and myself (never Jimmi "Mary" Poppins) about this team, they still have a legitimate shot of sneaking into the playoffs. I know! It's hard to believe that the Canucks season continues after April...but again, who knows?
Lineups
Red Wings projected lineup
Marco Kasper -- Dylan Larkin -- Lucas Raymond
Alex DeBrincat -- Andrew Copp -- Vladimir Tarasenko
Elmer Soderblom -- Michael Rasmussen -- Jonathan Berggren
Christian Fischer -- Joe Veleno -- Dominik Shine
Ben Chiarot -- Moritz Seider
Simon Edvinsson -- Albert Johansson
Erik Gustafsson -- Justin Holl
Alex Lyon
Cam Talbot
Scratched: Tyler Motte, William Lagesson
Injured: Patrick Kane (upper body), J.T. Compher (upper body)
Canucks projected lineup
Jake DeBrusk -- Elias Pettersson -- Brock Boeser
Dakota Joshua -- Filip Chytil -- Conor Garland
Nils Hoglander -- Pius Suter -- Linus Karlsson
Drew O’Connor -- Teddy Blueger -- Kiefer Sherwood
Quinn Hughes -- Tyler Myers
Marcus Pettersson -- Filip Hronek
Derek Forbort -- Carson Soucy
Kevin Lankinen
Thatcher Demko
Scratched: Noah Juulsen, Elias Pettersson, Victor Mancini
Injured: None
Status report
The Red Wings did not skate in Vancouver on Sunday, but Lyon is expected to start after Talbot made 33 saves in a 3-1 win at the Calgary Flames on Saturday. … Kane, a forward who has missed five games, could return against the Canucks, coach Todd McLellan said on Saturday in Calgary, but there was no update on Sunday. … Hughes is a game-time decision, according to coach Rick Tocchet. … The Canucks held an optional morning skate with no clear lines, but Sherwood said he is ready to return after missing four games with a lower-body injury. … Chytil, O’Connor and Marcus Pettersson will all make their Canucks debut after being acquired in separate trades with the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night. Mancini, who was part of the trade with New York, could also play, Tocchet said.
Game Day Chatter
The four new #Canucks getting this on their first full day in Vancouver is funny as heck. pic.twitter.com/Q6Pn0rdAxf
— 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 Faber 🔥 (@ChrisFaber39) February 2, 2025
"Simple two-way game. Trying to move the puck as quickly as I can out of the d-zone. When I’m at my best, I have a good first pass. I use my stick, my reach."
🗣 Marcus Pettersson speaks on his skill-set and how excited he is joining Vancouver.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/4fwcTQqaeM
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 2, 2025
“Played with Teddy in Pittsburgh. Skated with Garland a lot in the summer and played with him at Worlds. He’s awesome.”
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 2, 2025
🗣 Drew O'Connor discusses his connections to the team, his style of play, and shares his thoughts on being traded for the first time.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/E9VhmjYn0D
“Playing with speed. Getting to the net. Making plays. That’s my game."
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 2, 2025
🗣 Filip Chytil speaks on what he brings to the team, continuing to work on his game, and how Filip Hronek has helped him so far following the trade.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/zfABRpNPqd
“I’m really excited to pick their brains. Players, coaches, everyone. Being a young guy, being a rookie, I just want to be a sponge, take in as much information as I can. Learn, get better, and help this team.”
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 2, 2025
🗣 Hear from new Canuck, Victor Mancini.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/GoD2kpwohA
Game Day Battle Hymn
I stay clear of Kent's domain of metal....instead I bring you a easy-listening toe-tapping diddy, with a message after having to go through this crappy season so far.
Go Coconuts Go!
Another must win game against a Western Conference team where the Canucks actually outplayed their opponent? A three game winning streak? Is this a reason for hope? Oh, don't be silly. Well, maybe it is...?
Vancouver Canucks (23-17-10) vs. Dallas Stars (32-17-1)
5:00 pm PST; 8:00 pm EST
TV: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
Again, while it wasn't without its blemishes, the Canucks put together another solid road performance on Wednesday night en route to a 3-1 win over the Predators in Nashville. Vancouver's now won three straight games for the first time in November, and can finish off this road swing with a perfect record if they can manage a win tonight against a very good Dallas Stars squad.
Much like the game on Saturday against Washington, this is a real test for the squad to see if they actually deserve to be in the playoff spot they currently are one point out of. I suppose if there's anything encouraging, it's that they've been getting some scoring that wasn't Quinn Hughes, and the goals were coming from guys who really needed to get going in Nils Hoglander and Pius Suter. Another bright light, was this was definitely the best performance this season from Thatcher Demko, and while it may be a little too early yet to claim that he's back, he's definitely trending in the right direction.
And whether it's Demko or Kevin Lankinen in goal tonight, the Canucks will need their D to be at their absolute best if they hope to come out of Big D with the two points they so desperately need. And that means, and I am fully aware of how this sounds, they need Tyler Myers to be at his best tonight.
Are we done laughing? Good.
Since returning from suspension, Myers has been rather impressive, putting in a ton of minutes, as well as the one goal, one assist performance on Monday in St Louis. Dallas is a fast, offensively skilled team, and making things as easy as possible for whoever is occupying the crease for Vancouver tonight is going to help them a long way towards getting that win.
And pardon me if you've heard this one, but it would be wonderful if the best players on the Canucks showed up in an offensive way tonight, and by that I mean producing goals and not the offensive performances we've been treated to this season. It's time for Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller to go on a freakin' tear if for no other reason than to spite each other. Let the hate flow through you, and it shall lead you to victory.
LINEUPS
This lineup was found carved into the floor of the basement at the Alamo... though I am pretty sure it's on nhl dot com, too...
8 p.m. ET; Victory+, SN
Canucks projected lineup
Danton Heinen -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Nils Hoglander -- Elias Pettersson -- Linus Karlsson
Jake DeBrusk -- Pius Suter -- Conor Garland
Phillip Di Giuseppe -- Teddy Blueger -- Dakota Joshua
Quinn Hughes -- Tyler Myers
Derek Forbort -- Filip Hronek
Carson Soucy -- Noah Juulsen
Thatcher Demko
Kevin Lankinen
Scratched: Elias Pettersson, Vincent Desharnais
Injured: Kiefer Sherwood (lower body)
Stars projected lineup
Jason Robertson -- Roope Hintz -- Wyatt Johnston
Jamie Benn -- Matt Duchene -- Mavrik Bourque
Evgenii Dadonov -- Sam Steel -- Logan Stankoven
Brendan Smith -- Oskar Back -- Colin Blackwell
Thomas Harley -- Ilya Lyubushkin
Lian Bichsel -- Esa Lindell
Kyle Capobianco -- Mathew Dumba
Jake Oettinger
Casey DeSmith
Scratched: None
Injured: Miro Heiskanen (knee), Nils Lundkvist (upper body), Mason Marchment (face), Tyler Seguin (hip)
While I was certain that the Canucks would go with Lankinen given he had two strong performances against Washington and St Louis, Demko gets the nod tonight, and in the tradition of Ted Cruz, the Stars are being absolute cowards and not letting Casey De Smith face his old team, opting for Jake Oettinger just because he's really good or something stupid like that.
The Stars are dealing with a bunch of injuries, including a couple key ones in Heiskanen and Seguin, while the Canucks are only down Sherwood, who's back in Vancouver recovering.
GAME DAY CHATTER
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
Today in our look at the best metal releases from 1985, we look at the second album from US progressive metallers FATES WARNING. Following up on their debut 'Night On Brocken', 'The Spectre Within' saw the band continue to grow in proficiency. This album would get a good response, and they would release one more with vocalist John Artch (Awaken The Guardian) before replacing him with Ray Alder. This track was featured on the soundtrack of River's Edge, a great 80's movie starring Dennis Hopper, Crispin Glover and a young Keanu Reaves. That soundtrack also featured four songs from SLAYER, plus tracks from HALLOWS EVE, and punk band AGENT ORANGE.
Enjoy the game, everyone! Go Canucks Go!
4 p.m. ET; SNP, KONG, KING 5, KHN
The Christmas food and drink hangover is almost over, just in time for the New Years food and drink hangover. I hope the Canucks were able to get all the turkey out of their system and man, there were a lot of games over the past month that turkeys could have put up a better fight than the Canucks did. The Canucks play their 2nd to last game of the year against Seattle. The longer that Seattle is around, the more I think the Kraken is the stupidest name ever. It would be a name that a Disney team would choose. Of course, I am venting because Seattle won last year's season series with that stupid fucking name. And the way the Canucks have been playing at home, I fully expect another loss tonight.
Reason number two or really, number one, that tonight will probably be a loss, is that both Petey and Quinn are doubtful for today's game. WTF? That would be one blockbuster trade....I kid. I am not sure what injuries they have that after four days rest, they need another three days off. Maybe the Sharks actually bit both of them. I guess that leaves it up to J.T. and Demko to carry the team today. I would love to see Dakota move up a line and play with Teddy and Kiefer, but that might be too much hitting on a line.
The rumor mill continues to churn out material that the Canucks are looking to get a D-man, but I am still not sure what they could give up, besides a draft pick, to get anything of value.
LINEUPS
Kraken projected lineup
Jaden Schwartz -- Matty Beniers -- Kaapo Kakko
Jared McCann -- Chandler Stephenson -- Daniel Sprong
Eeli Tolvanen -- Shane Wright -- Oliver Bjorkstrand
Tye Kartye -- Yanni Gourde -- Brandon Tanev
Vince Dunn -- Adam Larsson
Jamie Oleksiak -- Brandon Montour
Ryker Evans -- Josh Mahura
Philipp Grubauer
Ales Stezka
Scratched: Gustav Olofsson, Ben Meyers
Injured: Jordan Eberle (pelvis), Joey Daccord (undisclosed), Andre Burakovsky (illness)
Canucks projected lineup
Jake DeBrusk -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Nils Hoglander -- Pius Suter -- Conor Garland
Danton Heinen -- Teddy Blueger -- Kiefer Sherwood
Dakota Joshua -- Max Sasson -- Phil Di Giuseppe
Erik Brannstrom -- Tyler Myers
Carson Soucy -- Noah Juulsen
Derek Forbort -- Vincent Desharnais
Thatcher Demko
Kevin Lankinen
Scratched: Linus Karlsson
Injured: Elias Pettersson (undisclosed), Quinn Hughes (undisclosed), Filip Hronek (upper body)
Status report
Daccord, a goalie, is day-to-day and did not make the trip to Vancouver after finishing a Dec. 22 game at the Colorado Avalanche despite getting “banged up a little bit” during that game, according to coach Dan Bylsma. Seattle called up Stezka from Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis on Friday. … Burakovsky, a forward, is day-to-day with an illness and also did not make the trip to Vancouver. … Neither Hughes, a defenseman, nor Pettersson, a center, took part in practice on Friday and both were listed as doubtful by coach Rick Tocchet. … Brannstrom comes back into the lineup after three games as a scratch and is expected to alternate with Forbort in Hughes' spot on the top pair depending on the situation.
GAME DAY CHATTER
“Next man mentality. That’s the way we have to think. Right now more than ever, our staples, we have to play as a team.”
🗣 Hear from Head Coach Rick Tocchet after the #Canucks return to practice following the break. pic.twitter.com/xJgiwGNiot
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 27, 2024
“Had a good practice today. Want to get ready for an early game tomorrow. Guys worked hard today, we were executing. Come in after the break with the right mindset.”
🗣 Tyler Myers meets with the media following the first #Canucks practice after the holiday break. pic.twitter.com/3HOWDhrxq2
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 27, 2024
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
New Year's in coming fast and to knock some of the pessimism out of my own writing, I leave you with this optimistic song and hope of a Cup being raised.
GO CANUCKS GO!
10:00 p.m. ET; SNP, SN1, TVAS, Utah16
Utah?
What?
The Canucks have never faced this team....and therefore they have never lost! If you were to look at the team they used to be....they split the season series last year. The Utah team with no name is very annoying to write about, as you have to keep referring them as Utah...or the Hockey Club from Utah. That team started off like gang-busters and then remembered that moving from Arizona only has a limited bump. They do have 5 players with 20+ points, so they do have the potential to put up some goals.
The great news is that Canucks finally escape Rogers and get back to their real home, the road. Unfortunately, it is only for two games and one of those will be in Vegas. So hopefully the Canucks can get more momentum before hitting Sin City tomorrow.
Bettman must drool when he see standings like this. I cringe.
Remember when my mom asked about Petey's performance when Miller came back?
Well, bad news. So far he has 0 points and is -3. Sweet lord....Buffalo is waiting.
At least we have a guy named Kiefer, who can win games on his own.
LINEUPS
Canucks projected lineup
Conor Garland -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Jake DeBrusk -- Elias Pettersson -- Max Sasson
Danton Heinen -- Pius Suter -- Kiefer Sherwood
Dakota Joshua -- Teddy Blueger -- Nils Hoglander
Quinn Hughes -- Noah Juulsen
Carson Soucy -- Tyler Myers
Erik Brannstrom -- Vincent Desharnais
Thatcher Demko
Kevin Lankinen
Scratched: Derek Forbort, Linus Karlsson, Phil Di Giuseppe
Injured: Filip Hronek (upper body)
Utah projected lineup
Clayton Keller -- Barrett Hayton -- Nick Schmaltz
Jack McBain -- Logan Cooley -- Dylan Guenther
Lawson Crouse -- Nick Bjugstad -- Matias Maccelli
Alexander Kerfoot -- Kevin Stenlund -- Michael Carcone
Mikhail Sergachev -- Olli Maatta
Ian Cole -- Michael Kesselring
Juuso Valimaki -- Vladislav Kolyachonok
Karel Vejmelka
Jaxson Stauber
Scratched: Liam O’Brien, Dakota Mermis
Injured: Robert Bortuzzo (lower body), Maveric Lamoureux (undisclosed), Sean Durzi (upper body), John Marino (upper body)
Status report
The Canucks assigned goaltender Arturs Silovs and defenseman Mark Friedman to Abbotsford on Tuesday. Forwards Karlsson and Di Giuseppe were recalled on Tuesday. ... Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said Forbort, a defenseman, will not play tonight against Utah but “could possibly tomorrow” at the Vegas Golden Knights.
GAME DAY CHATTER
“They’re an up-and-coming team. They’re tough to play against.”
🗣 Hear from Head Coach Rick Tocchet ahead of tonight's game against Utah Hockey Club.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/xchg5SwI2N
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 18, 2024
“It’s a beautiful city. Cool flying in. Still have some friends on the team so I hear about how nice it is here.”
🗣 Conor Garland speaks on the team playing their first game in Utah and expectations going into tonight.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/Hdi42AWz2D
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 18, 2024
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
In honor of the Canucks hitting the road and Petey needing to get going, I give you some guy named Bob.
Go Canucks Go!
10:30 p.m. ET; SNP, ALT
I wonder if Thatcher Demko is thinking about going back on the IR? The team that has played in front of him has been below average. (You can't hold completely responsible for his 4.47 GAA and .830 save %)
The Canucks were absolutely brutal last game and tonight's opponent won't be easy either. The Avs are 5-2 in December and continue to put up a lot of goals, as they have 3 out of the the top 15 scorers in the league. The good thing for the Canucks is that the Avs still let in a lot of goals. Hopefully, the Canucks have better luck than last year, where they lost all three games.
I would like to that Elliotte Friedman for stirring up the shit on the internet by getting the "Trade Petey" portion of the schedule going. His trade idea is bad on so many levels...Petey for Byram and Cousins. Byram has past concussions and Cousins won't replace Petey's 2-way play, Oh...and it adds more money to the cap. The Canucks do need to make a trade for a defenseman as there backend was ripped apart last game. Hogs won't bring much in return, so trading one of Petey, Miller or Brock seems to be the easy way to get views on the net.
Tonight is the 13th Hockey Talks for the Canucks..(no communication company attached to it) And we always need a reminder that it's ok to admit that we all struggle. The family has had a tough 3 months and writing for NM and chatting with you always brings a smile to my face. Thanks everyone.
LINEUPS
Avalanche projected lineup
Artturi Lehkonen -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen
Ross Colton -- Casey Mittelstadt -- Valeri Nichushkin
Joel Kiviranta -- Parker Kelly -- Logan O’Connor
Tye Felhaber -- Ivan Ivan -- Chris Wagner
Devon Toews -- Cale Makar
Samuel Girard -- Sam Malinski
Keaton Middleton -- Calvin de Haan
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
Scratched: John Ludvig, Givani Smith
Injured: Josh Manson (upper body), Jonathan Drouin (upper body), Oliver Kylington (undisclosed), Gabriel Landeskog (knee), Tucker Poolman (head), Miles Wood (upper body)
Canucks projected lineup
Conor Garland -- J.T. Miller -- Brock Boeser
Jake DeBrusk -- Elias Pettersson -- Max Sasson
Danton Heinen -- Pius Suter -- Kiefer Sherwood
Dakota Joshua -- Teddy Blueger -- Nils Hoglander
Quinn Hughes -- Noah Juulsen
Carson Soucy -- Tyler Myers
Erik Brannstrom -- Vincent Desharnais
Thatcher Demko
Arturs Silovs
Scratched: Mark Friedman
Injured: Kevin Lankinen (illness), Derek Forbort (illness), Filip Hronek (upper body)
Status report
Felhaber will make his NHL debut after signing a two-year contract with the Avalanche on Sunday. … Manson, a defenseman who has missed eight games, skated with teammates Monday for the first time since he was injured Nov. 29 and could return during Colorado’s three-game road trip. … Forbort, a defenseman, and Lankinen, a goalie, will miss a second straight game. … The Canucks changed all four forward lines after a 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday. They also swapped Myers and Juulsen on defense, and Desharnais will replace Friedman, a defenseman, after being scratched for two games.
GAME DAY CHATTER
“[When] you play great players, you got to make sure you pay attention to the details.”
🗣 Hear from Head Coach Rick Tocchet ahead of Monday night's game against Colorado.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/gBjLjtXlNa
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 16, 2024
"Focus on the things that make us successful."
🗣 Quinn Hughes speaks on the team staying focused on what they can control ahead of tonight's game against the Avalanche.#Canucks | @theprovince pic.twitter.com/JxKmRJee4B
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 16, 2024
GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN
My wife and I play a game in the car called, "Name that band." She is far better with some of the electronic/ synthesiser era, but this 90s "grunge" group always stumps her as they only had this song. Temple of the Dog had two of the main voices of the 90s in one song....and my wife never remembers their name.
Go Canucks Go!
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!
