Canucks showcase new interesting lineup & powerplay at practice ahead of Chicago Blackhawks matchup

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Jon McIntyre
October 21, 2024 (5:21 PM)

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The Vancouver Canucks are gearing up for Tuesday's «Frozen Frenzy,» a highly anticipated night where all 32 NHL teams will play, featured in an «NFL RedZone»-style event hosted by ESPN. JT Miller took a rest day at practice ahead of this event, sparking some concern about his availability.

Miller, who appeared shaken up during Saturday's opening faceoff in Philadelphia, is not expected to have a severe injury, but there's some uncertainty about his face-off ability. Head coach Rick Tocchet remains optimistic about his return, saying, «We'll see how it goes.»

Miller's absence at practice led to some reshuffling, with Pius Suter stepping in alongside Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk. Arshdeep Bains filled in for Miller on the power play, a noteworthy move considering Bains' two preseason power-play goals. The changes could also be an attempt to revive the team's struggling special teams, which have scored just once in their last 14 opportunities.

In other positive news, Dakota Joshua, who's been out recovering from testicular cancer treatment, participated in practice again, albeit in a non-contact jersey. His return date is still uncertain, but his presence on the ice signals progress.

With Miller's potential return and Joshua's inspiring recovery, the Canucks face some intriguing roster decisions. The top power play unit also saw adjustments, with Conor Garland stepping in alongside Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and Boeser, while DeBrusk moved to the second unit.

The Canucks will need a scrappy effort to continue building momentum, but with two wins in a row, Tocchet is confident: «Winning these games kind of puts confidence in a lot of guys.» All eyes will be on Tuesday night as the Canucks take on the local Vancouver product Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks, hoping to keep their winning streak alive.