Gameday preview: Canucks vs Oilers (January 25)
By Joshua Rey
![EDMONTON, AB - OCTOBER 13: Goaltender Mike Smith #41 of the Edmonton Oilers makes a save against Alex Chiasson #39 of the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Rogers Place on October 13, 2021 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) EDMONTON, AB - OCTOBER 13: Goaltender Mike Smith #41 of the Edmonton Oilers makes a save against Alex Chiasson #39 of the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Rogers Place on October 13, 2021 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2c85d269ab27e8eb5a076866efb1db954250c4c57dc582f1f31c00daabd14bf4.jpg)
The Vancouver Canucks conclude their three-game homestand as they welcome the Edmonton Oilers to Rogers Arena.
The Canucks did put up a solid effort against the St. Louis Blues Sunday night but they ended up losing 3-1. Ville Husso stopped 38 Vancouver shots.
The Oilers snapped a seven-game losing streak on Saturday as they beat the Calgary Flames 5-3. Edmonton has struggled since the start of December and they sit sixth in the Pacific Divison with a 19-16-2 record. They have 40 points which is tied with the Canucks.
The Canucks had Michael DiPietro as the starter against the Blues and UBC student Rylan Toth as the backup. That was due to Thatcher Demko, Jaroslav Halak and Spencer Martin entering the COVID-19 protocol.
Martin was back skating on Tuesday morning.
Spencer Martin is back pic.twitter.com/aTub6V2Whz
— Patrick Johnston (@risingaction) January 25, 2022
DiPietro was also skating but there was no sign of Demko and Halak.
Spencer Martin and Michael DiPietro are the only goalies on the ice at #Canucks morning skate. No sign of Halak or Demko.
— David Quadrelli (@QuadrelliD) January 25, 2022
Bruce Boudreau confirmed Demko is still in the COVID protocol and Martin will get the start against the Canucks.
Thatcher Demko is still in protocol, according to Bruce Boudreau. Martin starts tonight. #Canucks
— David Quadrelli (@QuadrelliD) January 25, 2022
J.T. Miller was also placed on the COVID-19 Protocol last week and he was also skating on Tuesday morning
Transactions:
— Canucks PR (@CanucksPR) January 25, 2022
- J.T. Miller has been removed from COVID non-roster status.
- Spencer Martin has been cleared to play.
- Ashton Sautner has been recalled from Abbotsford to the Taxi Squad.
- Sheldon Dries has been transferred to the Taxi Squad.
Here is how the Canucks lined up at the morning skate. With Miller back, the Lotto Line has been reunited.
Missed line rushes this morning, but based on jersey colour #Canucks set to roll:
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) January 25, 2022
Lotto
Highmore-Lammikko-Motte
Höglander-Dickinson-Chiasson
Podkolzin-Dowling/Dries-Bailey
The power play units were once again changed up. They went back with two defencemen on each unit.
Looks like it’s throwback night at Rogers Arena on Tuesday: #Canucks rolling with two defensemen on PP1 and what looks like a spread formation on PP2:
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) January 25, 2022
🥅
Boeser
Pettersson-Miller-OEL
Hughes
PP2:
Chiasson-Dickinson
Höglander
Hunt-Myers
Boudreau spoke about Halak as well as Bo Horvat and Conor Garland who are still in protocol.
“From everything that everybody has told me, Garland and Halak will be available for Winnipeg, Horvat for Calgary,” he said.
Tanner Pearson has also tested positive.
Bruce Boudreau confirms that Tanner Pearson tested positive this morning.
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) January 25, 2022
"He's out" #Canucks @Sportsnet650
“All of these guys that have been in protocol, none of them have gotten sick, nothing more than a cold,” said Boudreau per Brendan Batchelor
The Oilers will be starting Mikko Koskinen.
Mikko gets the start tonight in Vancouver. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/hes041s0BG
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 25, 2022
Players to watch
Edmonton Oilers- Leon Draisaitl: Draisaitl’s 58 points is tied for the NHL’s lead with Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers.
Vancouver Canucks- J.T. Miller: Despite missing two games on the protocol, Miller still leads the Canucks in points with 39 in 39 games.
Next. Canucks: Betting odds and prediction vs. Oilers (January 25). dark
Puck drop is at 7:00 PM. You can watch the game on Sportsnet Pacific or listen to it on Sportsnet 650.