Scenes from Canucks morning skate: Brock Boeser set to be a healthy scratch for first time since rookie season
9 months ago
Be sure to check out NHL lines site Betway for all the latest Canucks game day odds!
Fresh off two straight 5-1 losses at home, the Vancouver Canucks will look to flip the script tonight when they take on the Arizona Coyotes.
Make no mistake, the Coyotes have been bad this season, but thanks in part to the young talent that’s been infused into their lineup, they haven’t been quite as bad as many would have thought they’d be this season.
They’re still not great, but it’s not going to be a cakewalk for this struggling Canucks team to pick up a win against the Coyotes tonight.
Here’s what we saw at morning skate.
Line Rushes
- The big news of the day is that forward Brock Boeser will be a healthy scratch for the first time since the 2017-18 season, when he was runner-up for the Calder Trophy. Bruce Boudreau explained his decision, and we’ll get to that in the what was said section.
- Riley Stillman remains in the lineup on the third pairing, and Travis Dermott once again skated in a non-contact jersey.
- Unsurprisingly, Spencer Martin will get his first start since Thatcher Demko went down with injury on Thursday night. The Canucks announced this morning that Demko will be out approximately six weeks with a lower-body injury.
SCENES FROM MORNING SKATE PRESENTED BY BETWAY
What was said
Bruce Boudreau explained the decision behind healthy scratching Brock Boeser.
“Tough love is tough love,” Boudreau said. “I know he’s capable of being much better. We want to win and we need him, I think, over the long haul to win. But we have to be better. It could have been one of a few guys.
“Sometimes, this is just something you have to do.”
Quinn Hughes talked about the task at hand and his faith in Spencer Martin in the Canucks’ goal crease.
“I still believe we have a really good team in here,” Hughes said, sporting a gash over his right eye. “We’re a good enough team to do what we want to do. So, we just have to stay on track.
“[Martin] has played great, he’s a hard-working guy. Competes, competitive, and he’s been great for us all year. To answer your question, a lot of confidence [in him].”
UPDATE 6:45 PM: Dakota Joshua has been scratched at the last minute of this game due to a minor injury. Brock Boeser will slot into the lineup in his place, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Recent articles from David Quadrelli
