Friedman was a healthy scratch for the Canucks' previous contest but will draw back into the lineup Wednesday as Carson Soucy (foot) heads to the injured reserve. The 27-year-old defensemen has played solid since being acquired from Pittsburgh in a trade earlier this season, with one assist, six SOG, nine PIMs and a +3 plus/minus in 11 games played. He is expected to pair with Noah Juulsen on Vancouver's third defensive unit Wednesday.
Demko appears to be the starter for the Cancuks on Wednesday and will look to build on a tremendous start to the season. Among all goalies who have played at least 10 games, Demko ranks first in goals against average (1.96) and save percentage (.935). He will look to pad those already impressive stats against a New York Islanders team that has lost five straight games (0-4-1), failed to score more than two goals in four straight, and ranks 31st in the league offensively (2.36 GF / GP).
Soucy is averaging 16:52 time-on-ice in his first season with the Canucks, tallying five points (2G / 3A) and +6 plus/minus in 13 games but will be out roughly six-to-eight weeks with a foot injury. In an adjacent move, Vancouver has recalled Akito Hirose from Abbotsford (AHL) on Tuesday, who will likely draw into the lineup in Soucy's absence.
Soucy is averaging 16:52 time-on-ice in his first season with the Canucks, tallying five points (2G / 3A) and +6 plus/minus in 13 games but will be out week-to-week with a foot injury. In an adjacent move, Vancouver has recalled Akito Hirose from Abbotsford (AHL), who will likely draw into the lineup in Soucy's absence.
Hirose has been held without a point with the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL in 11 games this season. He will likely draw back into the lineup for Vancouver to play his third NHL game of the season as Carson Soucy is day-to-day with a foot injury.
Forbort has been out of the lineup since October 30th with a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision Thursday vs. Boston. In eight games this season, Forbort has two points (0G / 2A), 16 hits, and 13 blocks. Forbort would be a welcome addition on Thursday to a Bruins defensive core that is without Charlie McAvoy (suspension) and Matt Grzelcyk (upper-body).
Forbort has been out of the lineup since October 30th with a lower-body injury but appears to be nearing a return as he is a game-time decision Thursday vs. Boston. In eight games this season, Forbort has two points (0G / 2A), 16 hits, and 13 blocks. Forbort would be a welcome addition on Thursday to a Bruins defensive core that is without Charlie McAvoy (suspension) and Matt Grzelcyk (upper-body).
Forbort has been out of the lineup since October 30th with a lower-body injury but appears to be nearing a return. In eight games this season, Forbort has two points (0G / 2A), 16 hits, and 13 blocks. Forbort would be a welcome addition on Thursday to a Bruins defensive core that is without Charlie McAvoy (suspension) and Matt Grzelcyk (upper-body).
Demko will look to build on the best start of his career on Monday as he will be the Canucks' starting goalie against the Edmonton Oilers. Demko is coming off a 27-save, 2-0 shutout victory over the Dallas Stars, his second shutout of the season, a career-high already. Through eight games (6-2-0), Demko has a gaudy 1.55 GAA and .947 SV%, trailing only Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins in both categories among goalies that have started at least four games. The Canucks are slight -101 home underdogs against an Oilers team that is 2-7-1 but has enough offensive threats on their roster to make any opposing goalie uncomfortable.
Demko will look to build on the best start of his career on Monday as he appears to be the Canucks' starting goalie against the Edmonton Oilers. Demko is coming off a 27-save, 2-0 shutout victory over the Dallas Stars, his second shutout of the season, a career-high already. Through eight games (6-2-0), Demko has a gaudy 1.55 GAA and .947 SV%, trailing only Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins in both categories among goalies that have started at least four games. The Canucks are slight -101 home underdogs against an Oilers team that is 2-7-1 but has enough offensive threats on their roster to make any opposing goalie uncomfortable.
Demko will start his third straight Canucks' contest Saturday after winning his fourth-consecutive start with a 30 save victory (.968 SV%) over San Jose last game. The 27-year-old has been one of the league's hottest goaltenders early, with his 5-2-0 record, .940 SV% and 1.79 GAA. He hosts the Dallas Stars Saturday, who is in the midst of a three-game winning streak and are 14th in the NHL in goals per game (3.22).
Demko will start his third straight Canucks' contest Saturday after winning his fourth-consecutive start with a 30 save victory (.968 SV%) over San Jose last game. The 27-year-old has been one of the league's hottest goaltenders early, with his 5-2-0 record, .940 SV% and 1.79 GAA. He hosts the Dallas Stars Saturday, who is in the midst of a three-game winning streak and are 14th in the NHL in goals per game (3.22).
Forbort is coming off a season-high 23:28 on Monday for the Bruins in their 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers but suffered an undisclosed injury at some point and, after being unable to play on Thursday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, remains questionable Saturday. Forbort's absence comes at a time when the Bruins are already thin on the back end, being without Charlie McAvoy (suspension) and Matt Grzelcyk (upper-body). On Wednesday, the team recalled defensemen Parker Wotherspoon, Ian Mitchell, and Mason Lohrei from the Providence Bruins of the AHL.