Vancouver Canucks: Week 8 Preview, Predictions

The Vancouver Canucks went 2-1-0 on the road last week. This week they play three games at home, as we turn the calendar to December.

The Vancouver Canucks have come home from a successful road trip.

They won two of three games, and lost to the Dallas Stars only by one goal. This week, they return home and will try to put fans in the Christmas spirit.

But history may be repeating itself. The Canucks are still missing Chris Tanev, and now may have to do without Alexander Edler as well.

Edler took a puck of the hand last game against the Colorado Avalanche and left midway through the first period. According to the coach, it “doesn’t look good”:

Last year, the Canucks got into huge trouble with injuries to the defense. Edler, Tanev, Dan Hamhuis and Luca Sbisa all missed significant time. Lack of depth on defense was one of the things that derailed last season.

Up until now, the concern had been how rookies Troy Stecher and Nikita Tryamkin would find ice time. Now, the point may be moot, as they will have to help take some of the big minutes that Edler and Tanev usually play.

Let’s look ahead to the three games on the schedule this week.