The Vancouver Canucks got some positive news today as Brock Boeser didn’t experience any setbacks after yesterday’s practice and is set to play tonight against the Boston Bruins.
“He’s playing today,” said head coach Rick Tocchet to media in Boston this morning. “He came to me yesterday, he wants to play. Those situations, when you’re medically cleared, then it’s the player’s decision.”
“A guy like Brock, he wants to play every game. Played a lot of hockey for us over the years. It’s good to have a guy like that in the lineup.”
This will be the 27-year-old’s first game since November 7 when he was on the receiving end of a nasty headshot from Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot.
Boeser will have new linemates tonight. His regular centre J.T. Miller is out of the lineup on personal leave and thus Tocchet needs to create a new trio. While Boeser would usually slot on the team’s top line, the Canucks have found a ton of success with the combination of Elias Pettersson, Kiefer Sherwood, and Jake DeBrusk and should be hesitant to tinker with it.
The Canucks therefore used a trio of Boeser, Teddy Blueger, and Danton Heinen at yesterday’s practice. That appears to be the line for tonight’s game, although things can always change.
With the winger coming back, the Canucks need to sit someone from last game’s lineup. The team is taking rookie Max Sasson out of the lineup to make room for their returning sniper.
The 24-year-old picked up an assist in his first NHL game last weekend, earning a great reaction from his dad in the crowd.
“That’s the hardest thing as a coach,” said Tocchet about the decision. “[Sasson] doesn’t really deserve to come out, I thought he played a really good game. The message to him is, he could go in the next game against Pittsburgh, that’s the message. He played a good game for us.”
Boeser was having a very strong start to the season before his injury. He’s picked up six goals and five assists for 11 points in 12 games so far this year.
“Brock’s obviously one of our best players, makes a ton of plays,” said Conor Garland about his teammate’s return. “Can score from anywhere. It’s a huge add for us, huge add for our room.”