If today's practice was any indication, the team the Canucks put on the ice tomorrow against the Carolina Hurricanes won't look much different than what it did in Saturday's overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. However there could be some notable changes when it comes to the line combonations.
Pavol Demitra looks to be ready to return to the line-up as he skated on a line with Mats Sundin at centre and Ryan Kesler on the left wing. For the first time all season, Kesler and Alex Burrows did not skate together, as Burrows skated with Kyle Wellwood and Steve Bernier. Jannik Hansen wound up going through drills with Ryan Johnson and Darcy Hordichuk.
The defence pairing skated the same as to what they were Saturday. That means all signs are pointing towards Mason Raymond, Shane O'Brien, and Mike Brown being the odd men out.
Speaking of O'Brien, he wasn't afraid to speak his mind after practice with the media....showing his frustration about having been a healthy scratch the last game and likely sitting out tomorrow's game as well.
He feels the coaches and management want him to be more of a physical presence and fight more than he has been. Alain Vigneault said there was a different message coming to O'Brien, which did include being more physical and getting away from the careless amount of penalties he's been taking.
Here's how the team skated today:
D.Sedin - H Sedin - Pyatt
Kesler - Sundin - Demitra
Burrows - Wellwood - Bernier
Hordichuk - Johnson - Hansen
(extras Raymond & Brown)
Mitchell - Salo
Ohlund - Edler
Bieksa - Davison
(extra O'Brien)
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