Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alex Edler and Kevin Bieksa weren’t on the ice for the game-day skate at the Scotiabank Saddledome and should be considered game-time decisions, Willie Desjardins told reporters.

The Canucks only have one spare defender with them in Calgary, Ryan Stanton, so presumably at least one of Edler or Bieksa will play. Odds are they’ll both be in the lineup.

Of the two I think we’re probably a bit more confident about Bieksa being in the lineup. Bieksa was considered probable ahead of Game 2 as well and was the defenseman selected to miss Game 82 eight days ago. His defense partner Luca Sbisa suggested that it’s just age that’s bother Vancouver’s physical 33-year-old blue liner:

As for Edler, he looked prettay prettay good in Game 2, but he was playing some serious big boy hockey. That style of game – as crucial as it is for the Canucks’ success in this series – can wear you down, which could be particularly true for a player like Edler, who has a history of back injuries. 

Edler in particular has been exceptional for the Canucks in this series, his physical play and two-way game a major reason the Canucks have flattened Calgary’s top line through two games. 

Bieksa logged far fewer minutes in Game 2 than he did in Game 1, and played better as a result. He’s the team’s third right-handed shooting defender, and his health is all that stands in the way of a Ryan Stanton, Sbisa third pair (with Sbisa playing on his weak side).