Injuries Plague Canucks Ahead of Key Matchup Against Ducks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Vancouver Canucks face off against the Anaheim Ducks Saturday afternoon, grappling with a slew of injuries to key players that have impacted their season. With a limited roster, the Canucks hope to secure a win and finish the season on a positive note despite their playoff chances dwindling.

As of now, the Canucks are expected to play without forwards Elias Pettersson, Filip Chytil, and Nils Höglander, as well as defenseman Tyler Myers. Pettersson is sidelined with an upper body injury, while Chytil is recovering from recurring concussion symptoms. Höglander participated in practice on Friday but is still unlikely to return for the game, according to Coach Rick Tocchet.

“It’s tough, but we have to keep pushing forward,” Tocchet said. “We’ve got some young guys stepping up, and this is their chance to show what they can do.”

The Canucks, currently eight points behind the Minnesota Wild for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, are not officially eliminated from playoff contention but are approaching the end of their hopes. The team has lost five of its last seven games, diminishing their odds.

In preparation for the matchup, the Canucks have made adjustments to their lines. Max Sasson has been called up on emergency conditions following Nils Åman’s injury during practice, leading to potential changes in the lineup. Sasson is expected to fill the gap left by Åman, who has been a valuable player but is unable to participate.

Projected lines for the Canucks include Jake DeBrusk, Pius Suter, Brock Boeser on the top line and Aatu Räty paired with Dakota Joshua and Kiefer Sherwood. On defense, Victor Mancini will assume a position with Quinn Hughes, while Marcus Pettersson and Filip Hronek will form the second pairing.

The Ducks are also struggling, having recently been eliminated from playoff contention themselves. They will play without goalie John Gibson, who is dealing with a lower body injury sustained during a game against the Calgary Flames. Ville Husso was called up from the AHL to fill the gap.

The Ducks’ lineup will feature Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson on the top line, while Frank Vatrano and Ryan Strome provide veteran presence in the second line. However, much like the Canucks, the Ducks have also faced challenges with scoring, having the 27th ranked offense in the league.

The matchup is set for 1 p.m. ET, and despite both teams’ struggles, there is optimism from the Canucks’ young players eager to prove their worth. “This is our chance to show we can play at this level,” rookie Jackson LaCombe said. “We want to finish strong for our fans and for ourselves.”