All signs point to Miller time
With his team facing playoff elimination, Vancouver Canuck head coach Willie Desjardins was both coy and candid Wednesday in discussing his lineup for tonight’s last-chance home date with the Calgary Flames.
Desjardins conceded Utica Comets call-up Sven Baertschi, a former Flame, would almost certainly play and injured winger Alex Burrows would not. Burrows is gone for the series, the coach said, although he wouldn’t confirm Burrows had a fractured rib.
Desjardins also said he has decided on his starting goalie, but wouldn’t disclose the information, opting to let it come out at today’s morning skate. A report later surfaced saying it would be Ryan Miller. The Canucks trail the best-of-seven series 3-1.
Miller, for his part, admitted he still was not 100 per cent recovered from a sprained knee suffered Feb. 22 against the New York Islanders. Miller has played five periods since then, including the final two of Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to the Flames. Miller did not allow a goal in the 40-minute stint and stopped 15 shots.
Eddie Lack is 1-3 in the series with a 3.03 goals-against average and .886 save percentage in his first NHL playoffs. Miller has a 27-26 playoff career mark. He is also the $6-million man, signed for big bucks to make a difference.
Asked about his knee following practice Wednesday, Miller didn’t try to sugar-coat the situation.
“I mean, it’s coming. I don’t think it’s something where physically it’s going to be there this year, but I think you can make up for that kind of stuff with your approach and your mentality. So, in my case, if it’s going to be a chance for me to play, it’s going to be about battling and competing and kind of willing the puck to stay out of the net.
“I’m not going to be 100 per cent physically, but I know I can bring a lot with my approach and try to be efficient out there and contribute to managing our zone.”
Lack, who carried the Canucks into the playoffs, was more subdued than usual Wednesday, perhaps an indication he knew what was coming.
“I mean, obviously I want to play and I felt good playing at home, too, but it’s not up to me,” Lack said.
“Whatever the coach’s decision is going to be, I’m going to be behind it 100 per cent.”
Baertschi, meanwhile, had probably the biggest smile in a mostly grim-faced Canuck room Wednesday. He skated at practice on the team’s second line with Nick Bonino and Radim Vrbata. He scored two goals on that line in Game 82 of the regular season, a mean-nothing 6-5 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Baertschi, 22, has never appeared in an NHL playoff game. But he has dressed for 69 in the regular season, 66 of those with the Flames who selected him 13th overall in the 2011 entry draft.
“Well, I think anybody who gets traded to a different team, or switches teams, it’s always good to come back and play against the old teammates,” Baertschi said. “So it’s something really special and something really unique, especially in the playoffs. I know it’s an important game, but I’m not going to put that extra pressure on myself. I just want to play the way I can play and that’s create something offensively and be solid defensively.
“I’m going to try and leave it all out there,” he said. “Coming here now, it’s the best time of the season. We’re in a spot where we have to come back and I think sometimes it’s a little bit tough, but it’s also something exciting. It’s what you play for.”
The Canucks may also have a new look elsewhere in the lineup tonight as Shawn Matthias, a left winger most of the season, practised at centre between Chris Higgins and Brandon McMillan. Jannik Hansen remained with the Sedin twins in Burrows’ normal spot while Bo Horvat skated between Ronalds Kenins and Derek Dorsett. Linden Vey was the extra. “I can’t remember the last time I played centre, but I’ve played centre my whole life so it should come naturally to me, I would think,” said Matthias. “I’m looking forward to it, yeah, for sure.”