Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green announced that captain Bo Horvat is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Horvat left Monday night’s game against the Winnipeg Jets in the third period. Canucks PR also confirmed his injury status via their Twitter account following Tuesday’s press conference.
#Canucks Head Coach Travis Green confirms Bo Horvat & Brandon Sutter are both listed as day-to-day.
He adds both have not been ruled out for tomorrow.@Sportsnet650
— Joey Kenward (@kenwardskorner) March 23, 2021
Bo Horvat Injury Is Day-to-Day
Horvat picked up the injury after an unfortunate case of friendly fire in the offensive zone. At the time, the Canucks captain was screening Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck when Alexander Edler rifled a shot from the point which struck him near the shin. He immediately went down and had to skate on one leg towards the bench. After leaving the ice, Horvat went straight to the dressing room and did not return.
As horrible as the injury looked, the moment was not without a touch of sporting class. The Jets ensured Horvat got back to the bench by helping him along the ice with their sticks.
Good stuff from the Jets, helping an injured Bo Horvat get to the bench pic.twitter.com/XNYIFHCY69
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) March 23, 2021
Despite the injury update, Travis Green did not officially rule Horvat out for Wednesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Offensively, Horvat is second on the team in goals (14) and fourth in overall scoring (26 points). He also leads the team in face-off wins (406). The 25-year old is one of Vancouver’s leading top-six forwards in defensive zone starts (59.6 percent).
What This Means Going Forward
Unfortunately, if the Bo Horvat injury turns out to be longer-term, the Canucks will likely become sellers at the trade deadline. Before Monday night’s game, there was a sense of optimism around the franchise after they had won seven of their previous 10 games. However, this latest chapter in the Vancouver injury saga may have finished off any chance of a playoff berth.
For the time being, Horvat joins Elias Pettersson, Tanner Pearson and Jay Beagle on the sidelines, decimating Vancouver’s centre depth. As a result, it is unlikely the team will continue to compete with this stricken roster and selling expiring contracts for assets would be the most prudent course of action for general manager Jim Benning.
Jordie Benn, Tanner Pearson (subject to injury status) and Jake Virtanen are among the likeliest candidates on the move.
Main photo:
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