Scrambled Bottom Six
With Canucks COVID-19 protocol changing daily, lineup pairings have been juggled to an extent. Forwards Justin Bailey and Justin Dowling have been slotted into the lineup and will continue to be on the road trip, as forward Tanner Pearson is the latest Canuck to enter protocol.
With an undermanned lineup, moving players up, it was surprising to see forwards Vasily Podkolzin and Nils Höglander record less than 10 minutes of ice time respectively against Edmonton. With another top 6 forward in protocol, this number is expected to increase.
Forward Jason Dickinson also needs to get himself going after only recording five points (Three goals and two assists ) in 39 games with Vancouver.
Jet Setting Return
Canucks PR tweeted about the removal of Demko, Halak, and Conor Garland from the COVID-19 protocol list. However, per Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650, Martin is confirmed to start in back-to-back games to give Halak more time to practice.
Sitting back in seventh place in the Pacific Division, four games ahead of the Oilers who they trail, the Canucks need to start the road trip off with a win against the Jets to entertain any chance of a playoff run come April.