Canucks’ Tocchet: Ekman-Larsson unlikely to play Saturday after going for X-Rays, Lazar questionable

The Vancouver Canucks were back practicing today out at UBC after their 6-4 loss to the New York Rangers on Wednedsay night.

From the top of their lineup right down to their rookie goaltender, the Canucks battled hard in that game, but lost two players to injury in the process. Defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson exited in the first period after seeming to go into the boards awkwardly.

Curtis Lazar, on the other hand, was hurt during the second period of play. Lazar came out for the third and tried to test out whatever was ailing him, but clearly felt it was best for him to take the rest of the night off.

The Canucks confirmed during the game last night that neither player would be returning, and that both players had suffered lower-body injuries.

Last night, Tocchet said his initial indication was that Lazar’s injury wasn’t that serious, but said that he hadn’t talked to the doctor yet, so didn’t know how severe OEL’s injury was.

At practice today, Tocchet said Lazar might play Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, but wasn’t as hopeful about Ekman-Larsson. Tocchet said he doesn’t think the veteran defenceman will be able to play on Saturday, as Ekman-Larsson went in for X-Rays today. We should have an update in the coming days on the full scope and severity of OEL’s injury.

The Canucks were forced to run with five defencemen for most of last night’s game, and the effects were certainly felt, as OEL — who likely would have been one of the Canucks’ highest-minute defencemen — only logged 4:46 of ice time on the night, while Lazar recorded 5:49 of ice time before departing.

Quinn Hughes ended up finishing with 27:28 of total ice time last night, while Riley Stillman and Tyler Myers were both above 22 minutes of ice time.

More to come.