Rick Tocchet's reveals his line-up for their first game: Jonathan Lekkerimaki's debut

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Cooper Godin
September 24, 2024 (11:29)

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The Vancouver Canucks' lineup for tonight's game against the Seattle Kraken has been revealed.

Vancouver Canucks hockey is officially back for the first time since May 20th, as the team hosts their Pacific Northwest rivals, the Seattle Kraken, at Rogers Arena to open up their six-game preseason slate.

The Canucks took to the ice at Rogers Arena for their morning skate and we got our first look at the full lineup for tonight's preseason opener, as shared on social media by Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650.

Pius Suter appears to be in the first line center role with Brock Boeser on his left and 2022 first-round pick Jonathan Lekkerimaki on the right. On the second line, Aatu Raty, the key piece from the Bo Horvat trade, is down the middle, with Nils Hoglander and Conor Garland on the wings.

Vancouver's third line tonight is set to feature Danton Heinen, Nils Aman and Linus Karlsson, while the fourth line consists of Vilmer Alriksson, Max Sasson and 2019 Stanley Cup champion Sammy Blais.

Defensive prospect Elias Pettersson has been give a big opportunity for tonight's game as he's projected to be on the top pairing with Filip Hronek. Christian Wolanin and Tyler Myers make up the second pair, with Derek Forbort and Mark Freidman as the third pairing.

As for tonight's goaltending tandem, it looks like Arturs Silovs will get the start, with Ty Young, a fifth-rounder in 2022, as the backup.

Boeser. Suter. Lekkerimaki.
Hoglander. Raty. Garland.
Heinen. Aman. Karlsson.
Alriksson. Sasson. Blais.

Pettersson. Hronek.
Wolanin. Myers.
Forbort. Friedman.

Silovs.
Young.

The other day, it was announced that J.T. Miller would be playing tonight against Seattle, but it appears plans have changed and we'll have to wait and see when he'll play his first game of the preseason.

The Canucks also worked on their powerplay during the morning skate and fans are in for a treat, especially with the first unit.

First powerplay unit: Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Pius Suter, Brock Boeser, Danton Heinen, Filip Hronk.
Second powerplay unit: Nils Hoglander, Aatu Raty, Linus Karlsson, Christian Wolanin, Conor Garland.

Fans across Canada can tune in to tonight's game between the Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken on Sportsnet Pacific and Sportsnet One, with puck drop shortly after 7 pm PT.