Connor Bedard has been out of the lineup since January 5 with a fractured jaw.
The Vancouver Canucks (31-11-4) look to extend their point streak to nine games as they welcome the Chicago Blackhawks (14-30-2) for the only time this season. Unfortunately for Canucks fans, they will not get a chance to see projected Calder Trophy winner Connor Bedard as he has been out for the past few weeks with a fractured jaw. If Vancouver can win in regulation, they will stay atop the NHL standings and be the first team to have 30 regulation wins this season.
This has all the makings of a trap game for the Canucks. They are playing one of the worst teams in the league who are missing most of their top players and come into the game seven of their last ten. Vancouver needs to stay focused to ensure not just that they win but also that they send the fans home happy from Rogers Arena for the 17th time this season.
Players to Watch
Noah Juulsen
With Carson Soucy out long term, Noah Juulsen returns to the Canucks lineup for the first time since Dec. 9. After a rough start to the year, he had been playing well before coming out of the lineup and has developed good chemistry besides Ian Cole. While he may not produce offensively, expect him to be physical and add to the 47 hits he has already thrown this season.
Kevin Korchinski
One future star to keep an eye on is defenceman Kevin Korchinski. The former Seattle Thunderbirds defender is averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time a night and has nine points through 40 games this season. Drafted initially seventh overall in 2022, the dynamic puck mover is showing just how dangerous he can be from the blueline on a nightly basis.
Projected Lineup
Pettersson- Miller- Boeser
Mikheyev- Suter- Kuzmenko
Joshua- Bleuger- Garland
Höglander- Åman- Lafferty
Hughes- Myers
Cole- Juulsen
Zadorov- Hronek
Demko
DeSmith
Spread
Canucks: 2.15 (-2.5)
Blackhawks: 1.74 (+2.5)
Total
Over 6: 1.83
Under 6: 2.00
Money Line
Canucks: 1.22
Blackhawks: 4.05
Game Information
Start Time: 7:00 PM PT
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650
