News, notes, facts and observations from Wednesday's morning skate at Rogers Arena
Quick thoughts and observations about tonight's season opener at Rogers Arena:
*it certainly looks like the Canucks will be a forward short when they hit the ice for tonight's 7pm puck drop. Teddy Blueger (bruised foot) did not take part in Wednesday's morning skate although Rick Tocchet said that Blueger had skated on his own prior to the group this morning and was considered a game-time decision
*Akito Hirose was recalled from Abbotsford and practiced with the team on Sunday at UBC. He was then re-assigned as the Canucks set their season opening roster on Monday. Hirose was not with the club at practice Tuesday, but was on the ice as one of six healthy defensemen this morning and all indications are he will be in the opening night line-up paired with Noah Juulsen
*Juulsen has scored two career NHL goals with the last one coming nearly five years ago (November 5, 2018) at the New York Islanders as a member of the Montreal Canadiens. At the NHL level, however, that is a stretch of just 33 games
*the game within the game tonight is the Oilers power play against the Canucks revamped penalty kill. Edmonton led the NHL last season in both power play goals (89) and power play percentage (32.4%). The Canucks were 32nd and last in the league in penalty kill percentage (71.6%) although their 69 goals against while short-handed was 12 fewer than Arizona surrendered. With Carson Soucy out (knee) and Teddy Blueger doubtful, that will leave the new-look Canucks penalty kill without two key contribtuors
*the Canucks and Oilers have not met since Bruce Boudreau's farewell night on January 21st. The Oilers beat the Canucks 4-2 that night, but the outcome and the final score were secondary to the drama that was playing out behind the Canucks bench. Hours later, Boudreau was relieved of his duties and Rick Tocchet took over as Canucks head coach
*this is the fifth straight season the Canucks and Oilers have squared off in the first game of the season. The Canucks are 1-2-1 in the past four years including a 5-3 setback in Edmonton last year. The Canucks lone victory during the stretch was a 5-3 win to launch the all-Canadian Division COVID season in January 2021
*Brock Boeser will be skating in career-game 399 tonight. The 26-year-old has 139+172=311 in his first 398 NHL games
*Connor McDavid has 22+39=61 in 37 career games against the Canucks
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