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The Vancouver Canucks have made some big changes to the team’s lineup ahead of Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, their final home contest before Christmas.
A few days after they were shutout by the Detroit Red Wings, the Vancouver Canucks are back in action this evening as they wrap up their four-game homestand tonight against Tage Thompson and the Buffalo Sabres.
After Nils Hoglander returned to the lineup on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres and it appears that the Canucks will be getting some more reinforcements tonight with Thatcher Demko returning to the crease following a month-long absence due to a lower-body injury.
“I feel ready to go. We knew exactly what was going on. It was a minor tweak of something, and pretty much just had to give it time and get the reps back, so we’ve done that and excited to be hopefully back in the lineup.” Demko said on Wednesday.
Vancouver Canucks make big changes to lineup ahead of tonight’s game vs Buffalo Sabres
Earlier today, the Vancouver Canucks hit the ice for what was supposed to be an optional morning skate, but the majority of the team showed up, which was a welcome sight for Adam Foote and the team’s coaching staff.
According to Jeff Paterson of Rink Wide: Vancouver, Thatcher Demko was in the starter’s net at the morning skate, signalling that he will get his first start for the Canucks since November 11th against the Winnipeg Jets.
“Thatcher Demko going through starter’s drills ahead of #Canucks vs Sabres” Paterson said.
One notable absence from the morning skate was forward Brock Boeser as according to Randip Janda, the Burnsville, Minnesota native is a game-time decision after waking up in some discomfort and is being evaluated by team doctors.
“Brock Boeser woke up with discomfort this morning & is a game time decision vs the Sabres tonight.” Janda said.
He added, “Foote: Boeser will be checking in with doctors to make sure it’s not an appendix issue. They are hoping it’s not & that they will have him in the line up tonight.”
Assuming Brock Boeser is cleared to play tonight, Vancouver is expected to roll out different lines as Max Sasson is slotted in as their first line center alongside Jake DeBrusk & Linus Karlsson, while Aatu Raty has been demoted to the fourth line just two games after his three-point effort against the Minnesota Wild.
Vancouver Canucks’ Projected Lineup
Jake DeBrusk — Max Sasson — Linus Karlsson
Brock Boeser — David Kampf — Conor Garland
Evander Kane — Drew O’Connor — Kiefer Sherwood
Nils Hoglander — Aatu Raty — Arshdeep Bains
Quinn Hughes — Filip Hronek
Elias Pettersson — Tyler Myers
Marcus Pettersson — Tom Willander
Thatcher Demko
Kevin Lankinen
Scratched: Lukas Reichel, P.O Joseph.
Injured: Elias Pettersson (upper body), Filip Chytil (concussion protocol), Teddy Blueger (lower body), Derek Forbort (undisclosed).
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Vancouver Canucks spark intrigue with major lineup adjustment before clash with the Buffalo Sabres
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