The Vancouver Canucks are looking to rebound after what was arguably their worst performance of the season—a dismal 6-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday night. After an uninspired start in front of their home crowd, the team struggled offensively, registering just six shots through the first two periods. It wasn’t until the third period, when the game was already out of hand, that they began to show signs of life. In fact, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet was so disappointed with his team’s play that he apologized to fans, promising better efforts moving forward.
As expected, Tocchet has decided to shake things up for the Canucks’ next matchup, a Saturday night showdown against the Chicago Blackhawks. The team’s forward lines will look quite different from their previous setup. One key change comes on the third line, where the trio of Conor Garland, Dakota Joshua, and Teddy Blueger—famously known as “The Good Job Boys”—will reunite, hoping to provide some much-needed energy. Garland and Blueger were both part of the team’s most consistent line earlier in the season, but some defensive lapses in the loss to the Islanders prompted the need for a shift.
However, not all changes are relegated to the bottom six. Kiefer Sherwood, who was previously on the third line with Blueger and Danton Heinen, will get a chance to move up in the lineup. He’ll be placed alongside Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk on the top line. While Sherwood has been quiet in recent games, going without a point in his last four outings, his confidence with the puck and his heavy shot could add a spark to the Canucks’ offense. Speaking on his new role, Sherwood expressed his desire to keep things simple and to focus on getting the puck to the playmakers on his line.
“I’m there for a reason,” Sherwood said. “I’ve got to play my game, be simple, predictable, and get pucks back for them. If I can get the puck in their hands, it’ll be a good night.”
Meanwhile, Heinen will be moved to the fourth line, joining Aatu Räty and Nils Höglander. Heinen’s performance has been under scrutiny, particularly after he was benched in the third period of the loss to the Islanders, finishing with just 10:27 of ice time. The shakeup in the forward lines will be an opportunity for Heinen to prove himself and regain the trust of his coach.
In terms of goaltending, Arturs Silovs will get the nod between the pipes for the Canucks. This will be Silovs’ first start since October 30th, when he gave up six goals on 22 shots against the New Jersey Devils. Since then, he has been assigned to the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, where he recorded 23 saves on 25 shots in a 4-2 win. Silovs also saw some brief action in relief of Kevin Lankinen in a recent game against the Edmonton Oilers.
On the other side, the Blackhawks will also have a few changes to their lineup. Most notably, former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall will be a healthy scratch, making way for Ilya Mikheyev, who has been out of the lineup for the past two games. Hall has struggled this season with just 2 goals and 6 points in 17 games, while Mikheyev has been even less productive, contributing only 1 goal and 2 points in 15 games. Despite their lack of offensive output, Mikheyev will have the chance to make his mark in a lineup that could use a boost.
The Blackhawks will also be without defenseman Seth Jones, who is nursing a foot injury sustained while blocking a shot in the team’s previous game against the Seattle Kraken. As a result, rookie Nolan Allan will slot into the lineup, taking Jones’ place on the top pairing with veteran Alec Martinez. Allan, who has averaged around 13 minutes of ice time per game, will be looking to step up and play a larger role in his first game alongside Martinez.
On the Blackhawks’ blue line, Alex Vlasic will pair with Connor Murphy, while Wyatt Kaiser teams up with TJ Brodie. The Blackhawks’ defense corps will have to step up in the absence of Jones, especially with the Canucks’ revamped forward lines looking to capitalize on the situation.
In net for the Blackhawks, Arvid Soderblom will get the start. Soderblom has been solid in his four starts this season, posting a .933 save percentage. He has faced a heavy volume of shots, including a 40-shot barrage from the Anaheim Ducks, yet has allowed just 9 goals in those four games. Soderblom will be tasked with slowing down a Canucks offense that is eager to get back on track after a rough outing.
While the Canucks will have their hands full with a resurgent Blackhawks team, the game also marks a special moment for one player in particular: Connor Bedard. The highly touted rookie, who grew up a Canucks fan in North Vancouver, will play in his first-ever NHL game at Rogers Arena in front of family and friends. Bedard has already faced the Canucks twice in Chicago but was sidelined during their visit to Vancouver last season due to injury. This time, however, Bedard will have the chance to show off his skills on home ice in what promises to be an emotional night for him and his supporters.
Bedard joked that he had to purchase so many tickets for family and friends that he might as well be “paying to play for a night.” At just $950,000 per season on his entry-level contract, Bedard’s finances will certainly take a hit as he shells out for tickets, but the 18-year-old is undoubtedly excited to hit the ice in front of his hometown crowd.
“I’ll be paying to play for a night,” Bedard quipped. Despite his modest entry-level salary, Bedard’s talent and future earnings will surely far exceed the cost of these tickets as he continues to make his mark on the NHL.
With all eyes on Bedard, the Canucks will need to stay focused and execute their game plan. A strong performance against the Blackhawks is essential for a team that has struggled with consistency. The Canucks will also need to keep Bedard in check, knowing that the young star will be highly motivated in front of his home crowd.
As for the Canucks, the game represents an opportunity to regain some confidence after their disappointing loss to the Islanders. If they can find their rhythm and capitalize on the changes to the lineup, they could bounce back in a big way. The team’s revamped forward lines and a goaltending change may just provide the spark they need to get back to winning ways.
With Bedard taking center stage and a fired-up Canucks squad aiming to turn things around, Saturday’s game is shaping up to be an exciting one. Fans in Vancouver will be hoping for a much-improved performance from their team, and with the Blackhawks’ lineup adjustments, it could be the perfect opportunity to do so.