FIVEKEYS TO THE GAME

1. When will Pettersson Power return?

All eyes were on the kid on Wednesday morning and he did participate in the optional skate. But he wasn’t scheduled to play, and judging by how much the club has been talking about his improvement from post-concussion recovery, he might be a possibility tonight in Arizona or Saturday at home against Pittsburgh.

2.

Power-play pop

Without Boeser and Pettersson, the Canucks’ power play just isn’t the same. Those two are the team’s best shooters; even getting one back will make a huge difference. Boeser’s groin has his status as touch and go.

3.

Coyotes’ penalty kill

As of Wednesday, the Desert Dogs had the third-best penalty kill in the league. With the Canucks leaning heavily on their power play to produce, after the health of Pettersson and Boeser, this is the next most important talking point.

4.

Coyote crater

Arizona has the league’s worst offence. Through eight games, the Coyotes have just 14 goals. But they’re also fourth in shots for per game. Those goals are surely going to come. Is the Canucks’ defence ready to block shots?

5.

Aces on defence

At the other end, the Coyotes are among the league’s best at limiting shots, having conceded just 27.9 shots per game. The Canucks are managing just 25 shots per game on the opposition net.