Canucks wrap up home slate against McDavid, Oilers

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It’s the final home game of the year for the Vancouver Canucks as Connor McDavid and the playoff bound Edmonton Oilers visit Rogers Arena. (7pm, CBC)

While the Oilers have everything to play for in just a few days, the Canucks are playing out the string, currently sitting 29th in the overall standings, losers of six straight games.

“For me it’s disapointing.” beleagured Canucks head coach Willie Dejardins said after Saturday’s morning skate.

“When I look at where the year is at, and what I expected at the start of the year, I didn’t expect to be in this spot.”

That mentality could be felt amongst the players as well. Bo Horvat was asked about ending the home sched on a high note for the fans, who haven’t seen a victory at Rogers Arena since February 18th.

“They’ve been supporting us all year. It’s been another tough year, but hopefully we can finish strong for them, and get some confidence going into next season.”

Horvat leads the Canucks in scoring with 51 points, but hasn’t scored a goal since March 5th in Anaheim, a span of 15 games.

Meanwhile, the Oilers’ Connor McDavid has 100 points in his sights with two games left – the second year star has the scoring title all but wrapped up with 97 points, nine clear of the names in second place – Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, and Chicago’s Patrick Kane.

While Dejardins’ job security remains in question, he will put young forward Nikolay Goldobin on a line with the Sedins to begin the game against the Oilers, citing player development as a main reason. Goldobin looked dangerous at times with the twins in San Jose earlier in the week, and he did score his second goal of the season on April 6th against the Arizona Coyotes.

The Canucks will be shutting down forward Sven Baertschi for the final two games of the season with an upper body injury. Reid Boucher will take Baertschi’s spot on the line with Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser.

Ryan Miller will start in goal on Fan Appreciation Night in Vancouver.

The Canucks will close out the regular season on Sunday evening in Edmonton. (5pm SNET)

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