We’re under an hour away from puck drop between the Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights, but because the Canucks didn’t hold morning skate today, lineup information is coming in closer to game time.
During his late afternoon pregame media availability, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said that forward Nils Höglander will return to the lineup while rookie Jonathan Lekkerimäki will watch this one from the press box as a healthy scratch.
“Höggy’s going to go in tonight for [Lekkerimäki]… you know, I’d rather not take [Lekkerimäki] out, but Höggy’s ready to go, so I’m anxious to see how he plays.”
Tocchet recently shared that Höglander, who hasn’t played in a game since the Canucks’ game against the Rangers on March 22nd, was very eager to get back into the lineup. Overall, it’s been a disappointing year for Höglander, but the young forward was playing some of his best hockey of the season before going down with this injury.
“[It’s been] really tough [for him to be out] because before that, he was playing really good hockey for us,” Tocchet said. “He was playing his best hockey those last five weeks, so he was a little disappointed because he wanted to get on a roll, but he’s worked extremely hard. Höggy’s really been dialled in the last couple months, so hopefully he can give us some juice. Really, he’s one of our better forecheckers.”
After scoring 24 even-strength goals last season, Höglander has just six goals to his name through 66 games this season. His three-year extension — which carries a cap hit of $3 million — kicks in next season. He is certainly one of the Canucks with plenty to play for over the club’s final stretch of games.
Finally, Kevin Lankinen will start in goal for the Canucks, with Thatcher Demko backstopping the Canucks in their win over Anaheim on Saturday afternoon.
Sponsored by bet365
