The Vancouver Canucks are preparing for Tuesday’s “Frozen Frenzy,” an eagerly awaited event where all 32 NHL teams will compete, presented in an “NFL RedZone” format by ESPN. JT Miller took a practice day off ahead of this event, raising some concerns about his status. Although he seemed a bit shaken during Saturday’s opening faceoff in Philadelphia, a serious injury is not anticipated; however, there is uncertainty regarding his ability to take face-offs. Head coach Rick Tocchet remains hopeful about Miller’s return, stating, “We’ll see how it goes.”
Miller’s absence at practice prompted some adjustments to the lineup, with Pius Suter stepping in alongside Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk. Arshdeep Bains took Miller’s place on the power play, which is notable given that he scored two power-play goals in the preseason. These adjustments may also aim to revitalize the team’s struggling special teams, which have scored only once in their last 14 chances.
On a positive note, Dakota Joshua, who has been recovering from testicular cancer treatment, returned to practice in a non-contact jersey. While his exact return date remains unclear, his presence on the ice indicates progress.
With the potential return of Miller and Joshua’s encouraging recovery, the Canucks face some interesting roster decisions. The top power play unit has been modified as well, with Conor Garland joining Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and Boeser, while DeBrusk was shifted to the second unit.
The Canucks will need to put forth a gritty effort to maintain their momentum, but after two consecutive wins, Tocchet feels confident: “Winning these games kind of puts confidence in a lot of guys.” Attention will be on Tuesday night as they face off against local star Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks, aiming to extend their winning streak.
