For a second straight day, the Vancouver Canucks hit the practice ice at Rogers Arena as they prepare for Tuesday’s game against the Calgary Flames.
After taking a maintenance day Sunday, captain Quinn Hughes was back on the ice with his teammates. And for a second straight day, Thatcher Demko was actively involved in all drills during the 45-minute on-ice session.
Watch him taking shots in practice here:

What we saw

The Canucks skated with the same forward lines they practiced with Sunday. However, after practice, Rick Tocchet ruled Dakota Joshua out for Tuesday, suggesting Thursday was a more likely target for his season debut. That means the team will almost certainly recall a depth winger from Abbotsford on Tuesday morning. Tocchet went with 11 forwards and seven defencemen on Saturday against Edmonton but has since said that is not his preference moving forward.
For a second straight day, Jonathan Lekkerimäki skated in a top-six role with JT Miller and Pius Suter. All indications are that the 20-year-old Swede will make his NHL debut against the Flames.
At one point, early in practice, Jake DeBrusk required brief medical attention from the team’s training staff. The forward jammed his stick against the boards and his midsection and was winded. After a few moments, DeBrusk popped back to his feet and remained a full participant for the remainder of the session.
Arturs Silovs was back on the ice in Vancouver a day after playing for Abbotsford. Silovs becomes the fifth player on the roster to appear for both the NHL and AHL Canucks already this season. And when he suits up on Tuesday, Lekkerimäki will be the sixth (along with Arshdeep Bains, Aatu Räty, Nils Åman and Erik Brännström).
Unlike Sunday, the Canucks worked on special teams at the end of Monday’s practice. After scoring a late power play goal on Saturday, Pius Suter remained with the top group in Boeser’s absence. Lekkerimäki took turns on the second unit with Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen and Kiefer Sherwood at the netfront. Filip Hronek manned the point on the second unit. Nils Höglander appears to have lost his spot on the power play for the time being.
For a second straight day, Rick Tocchet said he had no update on Brock Boeser, who remains out indefinitely after being on the receiving end of a head shot in Los Angeles on Thursday night.

What we heard

Rick Tocchet on getting Dakota Joshua back in the line-up: “He looked good today. You try to find some kind of target date. Maybe Thursday is a good time. We’ll see. We’ll see how he reacts off the ice and how he is tomorrow. I think there is a good shot he could play Thursday. I’m not saying he is, but that’s something that is maybe in the works for us.”
Tocchet on looking for more from JT Miller (one empty net goal in last six games): “He’s hard on himself. He knows there is another level. We all know he has another level. The last game was probably his worst of the year. He’ll tell you that. I’m not worried about him. What I love about JT, some guys think they’re playing well and they’re okay. He doesn’t. He’s trying to find that upper level like our whole team.”
Arturs Silovs on getting into game action and picking up a win in Abbotsford on Sunday: “It was great to get some game action. It was great to win. I hadn’t played in a while so it was a boost of confidence. It was nice to see a couple of guys I played with for two or three years.”
Sponsored by bet365!