Gameday preview: Canucks vs Ducks (December 29)
By Joshua Rey
The Vancouver Canucks are back in action for the first time since December 16 as they head to Southern California to take on the Anaheim Ducks. They look to get their seventh win in a row.
The Canucks and the NHL have been hurt by COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. Alex Chiasson was the latest to enter COVID-19 protocol as he wasn’t at their Boxing Day practice. However, he was at practice on Tuesday.
Alex Chiasson is on the ice for #Canucks practice.
— David Quadrelli (@QuadrelliD) December 28, 2021
So as of now, the Canucks have no players or staff in COVID protocol which is good news.
The NHL has shortened the isolation period to five days but the Canucks will still follow BC guidelines with a seven-day isolation period.
Canucks will still follow BC guidelines, which now allow for just a seven-day isolation for fully vaxxed, symptomatic cases https://t.co/RLzV7FaiRC
— Patrick Johnston (@risingaction) December 29, 2021
Here is how the Canucks lined up at their Boxing Day practice. This will likely be the lineup against the Ducks.
#Canucks lines at Boxing Day practice:
— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) December 26, 2021
Pearson-Miller-Boeser
Dickinson-Horvat-Höglander
Podkolzin-Pettersson-Garland
Dowling-Lammikko-Motte/Di Giuseppe
Hughes-Schenn
OEL-Myers
Burroughs/Hunt-Poolman pic.twitter.com/4TmTVNwJuI
The power play units were changed around a bit at their Tuesday practice. The most notable change was that Elias Pettersson was the net-front presence.
Elias Pettersson is playing net front on #Canucks PP1 at practice
— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) December 28, 2021
🥅
Pettersson
Horvat-Boeser-Miller
Hughes
PP2:
🥅
Chiasson/Pearson(rotating)
Garland-Höglander-Hunt
OEL
Boudreau says Elias Pettersson is too important not to have on the first PP unit. He said that Pettersson, Horvat, and Miller are all interchangeable parts that can play both the flank and net front #Canucks https://t.co/WOu7y2DAQI
— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) December 28, 2021
“I like to play in front of the net. I like to screen the goalie and to tip the puck,” said Pettersson after practice.
Pettersson was also seen teaching Nils Höglander one-timers.
Elias Pettersson is spending some time teaching Nils Höglander how to improve his one-timer
— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) December 28, 2021
Pettersson was showing technique tips for hip rotation and then fed Höglander passes to practice: pic.twitter.com/CzAL6lcqmo
Matthew Highmore also practiced on Tuesday and he has been out since October 29 with an upper-body injury.
“His recovery has been great,” said head coach Bruce Boudreau on Highmore. “He was told he can do a full practice. I haven’t been told if he’s game eligible yet.”
The Ducks have been hurt by COVID as well. Trevor Zegras is the latest Duck to enter protocol joining Max Comtois and Sam Steel.
Ducks report that Trevor Zegras is in COVID-19 protocol. Joins Max Comtois and Sam Steel.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) December 28, 2021
No word has been said on the starting goaltenders but it will likely be Thatcher Demko against John Gibson.
Players to watch
Anaheim Ducks- John Gibson: Gibson always seems to stand on his head when he plays against Vancouver. He has a 11-2-1 record against the Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks- Brock Boeser: After going through a lenghty goal drought, Brock Boeser is slowly starting to heat up with four goals in six games.
UPDATE 1:09 PM: The Canucks have announced that Boeser, Phil Di Giuseppe and one staff member have been placed into the COVID-19 protocol.
The Vancouver Canucks announced today that forwards Brock Boeser and Phillip Di Giuseppe, in addition to one support staff member in Vancouver have been placed into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
— Canucks PR (@CanucksPR) December 29, 2021
dark. Next. Canucks: Betting Odds and Predictions vs. Ducks (December 29)
Puck drop is at 7:30 PM. You can watch on Sportsnet Pacific and listen on Sportsnet 650.