Carol Schram: Jake Virtanen plays, Brock Boeser sits as Vancouver Canucks open vs Oilers In his first game as an NHL head coach, Travis Green elects to insert Jake Virtanen into his lineup and scratch Brock Boeser as the Vancouver Canucks face off against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.

Superb Article as per usual!

I like the idea of what TG is trying to do, seems like he's trying to surround Horvat with better line mates and make a shutdown line, sedins on the 2nd line for the first time in years!

What I don't like: Hutton/Stecher on the same pairing....

Yes Carol superb work but were's the hate, these are the Oilers remember.

http://www.kappit.com/img.../201504_1201_eeeag_sm.jpg

Yes Carol superb work but were's the hate, these are the Oilers remember.
- A_SteamingLombardi

We do have a bizarro-world Kassian-vs-Gagner matchup to look forward to!

Thanks Carol!

Virtanen over Boeser based on preseason and skating for sure

We do have a bizarro-world Kassian-vs-Gagner matchup to look forward to!
- Carol Schram

Boeser will get his chance, again, I see both Virtanen and Boeser being rotated in and out of the lineup so that they can get more practice time to work on things they need to, to be NHL regulars instead of being sent down to the AHL and Utica having more issues to deal with via ice time/veteran status. It's not going to hurt either's development at this point.

I forgot about this. So would Gagner break Kassian's jaw this time?

https://www.nhl.com/canucks/roster

Rumour is BB has been scratched cause he doesn't have a profile pic yet.
#50ShadesOfBoeser

We do have a bizarro-world Kassian-vs-Gagner matchup to look forward to!
- Carol Schram

Kassian bumped up to line 2 now.

We are lucky enough to get to see the games most exciting player in the world. Don't let us down JV

We also have worlds best coach

GM of the year and Hot Dogs that could rival Nathan's of Cooney Island

We are lucky enough to get to see the games most exciting player in the world. Don't let us down JV

We also have worlds best coach

GM of the year and Hot Dogs that could rival Nathan's of Cooney Island
- VANTEL

Over/ under JV's minutes tonight at 11:15.

Over/ under JV's minutes tonight at 11:15.
- manvanfan

6.02 but they will be the best 6.02 ever

Wow, Twitter is freaking out about Boeser sitting tonight.

It makes complete sense to me. He had a blank stat line in the preseason game against Edmonton last week - with 2:49 of power-play time. And he faded in general during the later stages of preseason.

With his skating being the weakest part of his game, I don't think Edmonton is a good matchup for him. Jake's way better suited to play against the Oilers.

Brock will get his chance soon enough.

Wow, Twitter is freaking out about Boeser sitting tonight.

It makes complete sense to me. He had a blank stat line in the preseason game against Edmonton last week - with 2:49 of power-play time. And he faded in general during the later stages of preseason.

With his skating being the weakest part of his game, I don't think Edmonton is a good matchup for him. Jake's way better suited to play against the Oilers.

Brock will get his chance soon enough.
- Carol Schram

Sutter also had a clean slate and a few others had not so impressive stats

Lol Vantel - vets like Sutter don’t give a sh!t about preseason. His spot was never in jeapordy

Sutter also had a clean slate and a few others had not so impressive stats
- VANTEL

Sutter also went 68% in the faceoff circle and spent more than 5 minutes on the PK - and EDM's only PP goal was on the 5-on-3. He was very noticeable.

Lol Vantel - vets like Sutter don’t give a sh!t about preseason. His spot was never in jeapordy
- CanuckDon

So that stuff that Jim said about if a prospect outplays a vet we will find a spot was all fluff? Not surprised

So that stuff that Jim said about if a prospect outplays a vet we will find a spot was all fluff? Not surprised
- VANTEL

Do you actually think Sutter, the Sedins or Edler would be waived lol

The bubble players and kids were battling for two spots. What do you know, two vets were sent to Utica. Management did exactly what they said they would. You are the only poster that thinks the Sedins should be waived

Lol Vantel - vets like Sutter don’t give a sh!t about preseason. His spot was never in jeapordy
- CanuckDon

He only cares about the size of players balls...

Do you actually think Sutter, the Sedins or Edler would be waived lol

The bubble players and kids were battling for two spots. What do you know, two vets were sent to Utica. Management did exactly what they said they would. You are the only poster that thinks the Sedins should be waived
- CanuckDon

No I don't think that they should be waived.

I don't even care that BB is sitting . I did care that JV was sitting. Brock though has outplayed Burmistrov Dorsett Danny

Do you actually think Sutter, the Sedins or Edler would be waived lol

The bubble players and kids were battling for two spots. What do you know, two vets were sent to Utica. Management did exactly what they said they would. You are the only poster that thinks the Sedins should be waived
- CanuckDon

And I honestly think the team would be better served to have Virtanen and Boeser in the AHL for the year and to have those vets up here instead. With Boeser/Virtanen, the Comets could actually contend for the Calder Cup while the Canucks toil the season and try and be semi-respectable and fail.

He only cares about the size of players balls...
- Codes1087

Sutter has enormous balls

He only cares about the size of players balls...
- Codes1087

Balls matter Codes