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Canucks game day: Halak starts vs. Coyotes as Hughes remains sick in Vancouver for OEL and Garland’s return to Arizona

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Photo credit:© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
David Quadrelli
2 years ago
Less than 24 hours after a commanding 5-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in which Elias Pettersson exploded for four points, the Vancouver Canucks are back in action, this time against the Arizona Coyotes.
There aren’t expected to be any changes to the Canucks’ lineup, as Quinn Hughes remains in Vancouver with an illness still.
It’s the return of Conor Garland and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to the desert, as both players were drafted by and had spent the entirety of their NHL careers with the Coyotes up until they were traded to the Canucks in the offseason.
Here’s how the Canucks are expected to line up tonight:

Lineup

Jaroslav Halak starts in goal for the Canucks, with Harri Sateri starting opposite him.

What was said

Head coach Bruce Boudreau spoke about Ekman-Larsson, Garland, and Brad Richardson.
“With Brad, we got him at the trade deadline,” said Boudreau. “Experience and the will to play, a consummate pro, comes every night to play the game. Conor brings energy as you’ve seen over the years, and he’ll play hard every night. He hasn’t had the luck around the net that he’d like to have but he gives you 100 percent every game which is something that we need.
“O is just he’s a steady defenceman and I mean, I’ve really liked what he brings. His leadership, everything that he’s brought to the Arizona Coyotes he’s bringing us to and we’re happy to have him.”
Oliver Ekman-Larsson said there will be mixed emotions in his return to the desert tonight.
“We could probably sit here all day talking about it, but just the friendships over the years,” said Ekman-Larsson. “I mean, I was here for 11 years walking into this building, so it’s kind of weird coming here and playing a team that brought you into the league. I have a lot [of people] to thank in this organization for everything that they did for me and it’s probably gonna be — I don’t know how I’m gonna react stepping out on the ice to be honest with you. It’s probably going to be smiles and maybe some tears, I don’t know.”
Puck drop is at 7 PM Pacific tonight in Arizona.

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