Welcome aboard Canadian hockey bandwagon jumpers. However, when we are talking about the playoff matchup that contains Connor McDavid versus the NHL’s Pacific Division titleholders, we’re okay with it. Ahead of the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks Game 1 of their second round 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoff matchup, we are here to provide all the latest news and updates to get you ready for the action.
Canucks Game 1 Starter vs the Oilers
It seems to be a certainty that Arturs Silovs starts tonight for the Canucks. It is surprising when you compare career NHL games between Silovs and who will be his backup tonight, Casey DeSmith. Silovs is 22 and has nine career NHL regular season games under his belt. On the contrary, DeSmith is a six-year NHL veteran, with 163 games played. But DeSmith does only have three career playoff games played. The decision to not go with DeSmith is also surprising in how it came to be in the first place. Last round, he played excellent in Game 3 against the Nashville Predators, stopping 29 of 30 shots in a hostile environment. However, he ended up going down with a groin injury. It was likely caused by Michael McCarron of the Predators running interference, of which he was fined on the play.
Tocchet Taking Notes from Jim Montgomery’s Book
What is surprising is that this injury essentially caused DeSmith to lose his spot as starter in the first round series. Silovs came in and played great. When DeSmith was able to go, Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet decided to go with the hot hand. And in the theory of one of Tocchet’s peers, Jim Montgomery of the Boston Bruins, going with the hot hand seems to work. You may recall Boston rotated goaltenders Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark all regular season long. But Swayman seen the lion share of the load against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In any sense, Silovs is the hot hand. Also, as evidenced by his sensational play at the 2023 World Hockey Championships, he can step up his game in pressure situations. He went 7-3 with a 2.20 GAA and a .921 SV% on the way to winning Latvia’s first ever medal (a bronze) at the top level. As nice as a story as that is, Canuck fans don’t want to see him get lit up by McDavid and the rest of the Oil. Let’s be honest, Canuck fans would much rather see 2023-24 Vezina Trophy finalist Thatcher Demko manning the crease. Unfortunately, according to a report from Frank Seravalli, don’t expect him back for the first four games at least.
Sources say #Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko is out through at least Game 4 of this Round 2 series vs. #Oilers.
Demko has been skating and progressing. Big week ahead. Earliest possible return is Game 5 and that is probably pushing it. But Games 6-7 get interesting, if necessary.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 7, 2024
The only other relevant Vancouver Canucks injury note, was on Elias Pettersson. Collective gasp. Don’t worry, it is much ado about nothing scenario. He didn’t practice with the club on Tuesday, but his status for Game 1 tonight, Oilers and Canucks, is all systems go. Collective exhale.
video of Elias Pettersson scoring a couple at #Canucks optional morning skate pic.twitter.com/bfrfhfkpMA
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) May 8, 2024
How About the Oilers Injury Notes
One reason the Oilers have been successful this season, especially with their defensive pairings, but throughout their lineup as well, has been their health. Their forwards do have some concerns currently. Both Evander Kane and Adam Henrique had been resting since the end of their first round series victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
Kane was able to hit the ice yesterday, so he will be ready to go. He had revealed late in the regular season he’s dealing with a sports hernia injury. Moreover, his ice time in the round one series, was fairly consistent and aligned with his regular season total. Therefore, even though the lingering injury may be impacting how he feels, it is difficult to notice it in the winger’s game. The speedy winger is a terrific playoff player, he fights, hits, and scores. The underrated significance of his scoring ability, is that he can provide above his expected share of the offence whether in a first or third line role. In fact, he never really found a home on any line this year, but played mostly with Leon Draisaitl or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Kane was still consistent and had 24 goals and 20 assists in 2023-24 in 77 games.
Adam Henrique Injury Update
The other Edmonton forward injury news is on Adam Henrique, who did miss Tuesday’s practice. According to Kris Knoblauch, Henrique will miss Game 1 for his Oilers as they take on the Canucks. Henrique, a two-way, depth piece, has been a great addition to the Oilers forward group since coming over from the Anaheim Ducks around the trade deadline. In 22 regular season games with the Oilers, he had six goals and three assists. That brought him to 24 goals and 27 assists when combined with his Duck totals. Fortunately for Oilers, GM Ken Holland has done a decent job making sure the roster depth is there for just such occurrences. With Henrique unable to go, look for checker Connor Brown to draw into the lineup.
Oilers lines at practice:
Janmark-McDavid-Hyman
RNH-Draisaitl-Kane
Holloway-McLeod-Perry
Foegele-Ryan-BrownThis is the expected lineup for Game 1 at VAN. Kris Knoblauch called Henrique “day to day.” He has a suspected lower-body injury. Knoblauch said Brown will play Game 1.
— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) May 7, 2024
Main photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
