Canucks without Gudbranson for awhile ahead of date with CBJ
Posted December 18, 2016 12:36 pm.
Last Updated December 18, 2016 12:41 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It’s a rare early afternoon start at Rogers Arena as the Vancouver Canucks face the Columbus Blue Jackets. (1pm, SNET)
The Canucks are trying to build on a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night, while the Blue Jackets are the hottest team in the league, having won eight straight games.
“You look forward to the next game, because you’re going to be in it.” CBJ forward Scott Hartnell said before the game on Sunday.
“The biggest thing is playoffs, still a couple months away, but we have to get these wins in the bank, and be playing our best hockey.”
A win today for CBJ head coach and former Canucks bench boss John Tortorella would be the 500th of his career. Torts would become the 24th head coach to achieve that milestone.
“We faced (Blue Jackets) quite a bit when I was in Pittsburgh.” Canucks forward Brandon Sutter said after practice on Saturday.
“They have three, four lines that play the same way. We can expect a tough game, and it’s going to be a good test for us.”
Ryan Miller will start in goal for Vancouver after earning the victory Thursday against the Lightning.
The Canucks will be without defenseman Erik Gudbranson for an extended period of time, as the rugged blueliner will need surgery to repair ligament damage in his wrist. A timeline for Gudbranson’s return will be set once the surgery is complete.
