The Vancouver Canucks will be getting a big boost against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday when they welcome back youngsters Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson back into their lineup.
Earlier this week, Boeser blocked a shot and was forced to miss two games due to a groin injury.
For Pettersson, he’ll be making his return two weeks after suffering a concussion following a hit and body slam from Florida Panthers defenceman Mike Matheson.
Skating for the last number of days trying to get back up to game shape and making sure he wasn’t feeling any more lingering effects of the head injury, Pettersson officially informed reporters that he was activated from the IR.
Before the concussion, the super rookie exploded out of the game with five goals and three assists in his first five games in the NHL. While he skating predominantly with Loui Eriksson and Nikolay Goldobin, Canucks head coach Travis Green decided to stack his top line with Boeser joining the likes of Pettersson and Golodbin in hopes of matching power on power against the Penguins.
On Saturday morning, Pettersson was asked on his thoughts playing with the two offensively inclined young players and offered up a pretty funny response.
“It’s good, I think we’re a good defensive line.......just kidding. No but we’re three good offensive guys who think hockey the same.”
While he’s only been in the NHL for a handful of weeks, the 20-year-old Swedish star seems to be adjusting just fine to media market in Vancouver and has shown he isn’t afraid to be candid while showing a humorous side with the local media.
(Video courtesy Twitter/ SabreUnfilitered)
According to CorsicaHockey, Pettersson, Goldobin and Boeser have played just under eight minutes of even strength together this season. Boeser, a sophomore, potted the overtime winner against the Penguins on October 16, and has six goals in three career games against the Penguins.
