The Vancouver Canucks look to get back in the win column on the fourth game of their seven-game homestand as the New Jersey Devils are in town.
The Canucks and Devils last met on February 28 in Newark as the Devils crushed the Canucks 7-2 and that was the last time Jaroslav Halak was in net for Vancouver. Vancouver also has not beat New Jersey since November 25, 2014. Bo Horvat is the only Canuck that still remains from that game and that was back when he was a rookie. The Canucks have lost 12 straight games to the Devils.
The Devils won their last game by a score of 2-1 via the shootout. They have a 22-32-5 record and sit second last in the Metropolitan Division.
With a 29-24-7 record, Vancouver has 65 points and are three behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the final wild card spot and also three behind the Edmonton Oilers for third in the Pacific Division. The Oilers play the Detroit Red Wings and the Golden Knights play the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night but the Canucks have to focus on getting two points themselves.
The Canucks have also called up Nic Petan from Abbotsford.
Transactions: #Canucks recall Nic Petan from Abbotsford. Jason Dickinson has been placed on injured reserve.
— Canucks PR (@CanucksPR) March 15, 2022
Here is how the Canucks lined up at morning skate.
#Canucks projected lineup Tuesday vs. the NJ Devils, based on line rushes at morning skate:
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) March 15, 2022
Pearson-Miller-Garland
Höglander-Horvat-Boeser
Motte-Lammikko-Highmore
Chiasson-Petan-Podkolzin
OEL-Myers
Hughes-Schenn
Hunt-Hamonic pic.twitter.com/ckwqJbU2TC
As you can see, Elias Pettersson did not take part in morning skate and he did not play last game against the Tampa Bay Lightning and he is out day-to-day with an upper body injury. It is unlikely he plays Tuesday night against the Devils.
“He’s day to day,” said Bruce Boudreau per Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650. “This is not a long term thing with him. Hopefully Thursday he’ll be able to play.”
Here is how the power play units lined up.
https://twitter.com/ThomasDrance/status/1503781456312635394
To no one’s surprise, Thatcher Demko will get the start against New Jersey.
Thatcher Demko was first off of the ice at morning skate, is your projected #Canucks starter Tuesday vs. NJ Devils.
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) March 15, 2022
It also the second Botchford Project day of the year and that is a program for three aspiring writers to watch the gameday skate, sit in the press box for a game and write a story that will be published on a later date on the Canucks website.
The recipients this time are Trent Leith, Daniel Gee and our very own Isabella Urbani. Congrats to all three of them! They will all be in the press box Tuesday night.
next wave of The Botchford Project @TheChick4Stick @DanielGScouting @trentl14 #Canucks pic.twitter.com/Echz0OfP0W
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) March 15, 2022
Players to watch
Vancouver Canucks- J.T. Miller: Who else would it be? Miller has been red-hot. He has reached the 70 point mark and has 24 points in his last 12 games. Miller is also climbing the Canucks record books.
Will it be lucky 13 for J.T. Miller when the @Canucks host the Devils (10 p.m. ET on SNP, MSG+, MSG+ 2)?
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 15, 2022
He can become the first Vancouver player with a point streak of 13+ games since Ryan Kesler extended to 13 contests exactly 12 years ago. #NHLStats: https://t.co/edvMbXUXQJ pic.twitter.com/mqZOArnsKG
New Jersey Devils- Jack Hughes: Quinn Hughes’ younger brother Jack has 16 points in his last 10 games. His 44 points is second on the Devils.
Puck drop is at 7:00 PM. You can watch the game on Sportsnet Pacific or listen to it on Sportsnet 650.