The Vancouver Canucks might be with out their main scorer, Brock Boeser, tonight once they face the Edmonton Oilers within the first recreation of a six-game homestand. Exterior of the preseason, the place they performed them twice, this would be the first time they’ll face their Pacific Division rival since they obtained eradicated in Recreation 7 of the 2024 Playoffs. They had been with out Boeser then, too, as he was stored out of the lineup on account of a blood clot in his leg.
Associated: Projected Lineups for the Oilers vs Canucks – 11/9/24
In consequence, the Canucks will characteristic a new-look top-six and fourth line when the puck drops on the 270th assembly between these two groups. Right here’s our gameday preview to get you set for the matchup, which must be one other good one for Canucks and Oilers followers alike.
Setting the Stage – Oilers (6-7-1) vs. Canucks (7-2-3)
The Canucks are coming off their sixth straight win on the street after beating the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 on Thursday (Nov. 7). Quinn Hughes led the way in which with a purpose and an help whereas Jake DeBrusk scored his third in three video games. The Oilers, in the meantime, misplaced 4-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday (Nov. 6) and might be trying to halt a two-game dropping skid.
Oilers Projected Lineup
Jeff Skinner — Connor McDavid — Zach Hyman
Vasily Podkolzin — Leon Draisaitl — Viktor Arvidsson
Adam Henrique — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Connor Brown
Mattias Janmark — Derek Ryan — Corey Perry
Mattias Ekholm — Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse — Troy Stecher
Brett Kulak — Ty Emberson
Stuart Skinner
Calvin Pickard
Scratched: Travis Dermott
Injured: None
Canucks Projected Lineup
Pius Suter — J.T. Miller — Conor Garland
Nils Hoglander — Elias Pettersson — Jake DeBrusk
Danton Heinen — Teddy Blueger — Kiefer Sherwood
Nils Aman — Aatu Raty — Arshdeep Bains
Quinn Hughes — Filip Hronek
Carson Soucy — Tyler Myers
Erik Brannstrom — Vincent Desharnais
Kevin Lankinen
Arturs Silovs
Scratched: Noah Juulsen
Injured: Brock Boeser (higher physique), Derek Forbort (decrease physique), Thatcher Demko (decrease physique), Dakota Joshua (testicular most cancers restoration)
Storylines to Watch
New-Look Prime-6 Must Step Up With out Boeser
Shedding Boeser at any level of the season is unhealthy, however in opposition to the Oilers it’s notably troublesome contemplating he has dominated them all through his profession. In 31 video games, he has 16 objectives and 27 factors – together with that well-known four-goal outing within the season opener in 2023-24. The Canucks gained’t have that firepower of their lineup tonight, and it will likely be as much as the new-look top-six to choose up the slack. As per the morning skate, that top-six will embody a high line of Pius Suter, J.T. Miller and Conor Garland, and a second line of Nils Hoglander, Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk. DeBrusk strikes again to Pettersson’s wing driving a three-game purpose streak, which followers hope will rub off on Pettersson, who solely has two objectives up to now. Garland deservedly strikes as much as the highest unit as he sits tied for second on the workforce in factors with 11 in 12 video games.
The Canucks performed a strong recreation with out Boeser after he left the sport on Thursday, however they’ll face a stiff check in opposition to an Oilers workforce, whereas struggling, nonetheless possess two generational abilities in McDavid and Draisaitl. They could battle to attain with out their high purpose scorer, however with the depth that has stepped up in current video games in DeBrusk, Sherwood, and Suter, they could eek out a win utilizing their rediscovered two-way recreation from final season. To not point out the exceptional goaltending that Lankinen has supplied up to now in his Canucks tenure.
New Fourth Line With Sprong Traded
The fourth line can even be totally different from the previous few video games as Daniel Sprong is now not a Canuck. He was dealt to the Seattle Kraken on Friday for future concerns, prompting call-ups of Nils Aman and Arshdeep Bains from Abbotsford. Everybody hoped Jonathan Lekkerimaki could be one of many names getting the decision, however after tweaking one thing just lately, he sadly wasn’t an possibility. He gained’t be taking part in for the Abbotsford Canucks tonight both.
So, as a substitute of seeing Lekkerimaki make his NHL debut alongside Pettersson or Miller, a brand new fourth line might be in motion that includes Bains, Raty and Aman. Bains and Raty have proven some chemistry within the American Hockey League (AHL), so perhaps they will recreate a few of that magic within the NHL tonight. They probably gained’t get a variety of ice time, however must be trusted for a daily shift all through contemplating all of them are good defensively – not like Sprong.
Gamers to Watch
Quinn Hughes
Hughes is at all times a participant to observe, however he’s been unreal over the previous few video games. He has six factors in his final three video games, and just lately hit the 300-assist mark in his 376th recreation, usurping Paul Coffey who did it in 377 video games. He’s additionally coming off one other insane efficiency in opposition to the Kings the place he twice made Akil Thomas look foolish together with his edgework and puckhandling on the blue line. First, Thomas obtained confused by his fancy ft and gave him room to feed DeBrusk for a wide-open have a look at Darcy Kuemper, after which, on the game-winner within the third, did a line dance to deceive him and put residence a protracted shot for a 3-2 lead. What does the captain have in retailer for the house followers at Rogers Enviornment? I for one am excited to seek out out.
Kevin Lankinen
Lankinen has been a revelation for the Canucks up to now this season. He’s nonetheless unbeaten in regulation with a file of 7-0-2 and holds a Vezina Trophy-like statline with a 2.08 goals-against common (GAA) and .923 save proportion (SV%) together with a shutout. In different phrases, they haven’t missed Demko within the crease, and it has given them the posh of permitting their star goaltender to rehab his damage with none exterior strain of the workforce dropping with out him. With a win tonight, he’ll beat Kirk McLean for the longest level streak to begin a season. Not unhealthy for $875,000, proper?
What’s Subsequent for the Canucks?
The Canucks will proceed their homestand in opposition to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. They final met them of their residence opener on Oct. 9, once they blew a multigoal result in lose 6-5 in additional time. That appears like a lifetime in the past, contemplating Lankinen didn’t begin that recreation, and the Canucks weren’t almost as strong defensively as they’re now. In consequence, it must be a method totally different matchup this time round.
However, first, the Canucks should tame the Oilers. Puck drop is at 7 pm PT on Hockey Evening in Canada with DeBrusk being featured after the sport on After Hours with Scott Oake and his dad Louis.
