This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the League
Finally. After losing nine straight, the Canucks managed to win. It didn't matter that it came against the one of the league's worst home teams, and it didn't matter that they almost blew a 2-0 lead. It put them two points ahead of two other Canadian (ie. bad) teams, so even when things are bad, there's some comfort in knowing that it could be worse.
The Canucks have six regulars and Jake Virtanen out of the lineup for various reasons, so naturally a team filled with a lot of rookies and retreads isn't going to win a lot of games. When noted Canuck killer Logan Couture tied the game at 2-2, it really felt like the Sharks were going to win. But they played hard against San Jose, and it was only thanks to Jannik Hansen's slapper late in the third period and then a Markus Granlund empty-net goal did the Canucks manage to seal the deal.
A win is universally good. Except when it isn't, as is the case here. The obvious has to be pointed out: the league's worst team has the best chance to get the world's best draft-eligible player in Auston Matthews. Would Canucks fans rather just have the Sharks win, knowing that even though the team played hard, a loss would have been a bigger benefit for the big picture? There's no shame in losing right now; the team's just not good enough.
Knowing the Canucks' luck when it comes to draft lotteries – they famously missed out on Gilbert Perreault in 1970 when Clarence Campbell misread a number – never having drafted higher than second overall. And the guy the Canucks picked after Perreault, Dale Tallon, ended up being the architect of the team that kicked the Canucks' butts a bunch of times (before Alex Burrows became a Vancouver legend) and the guy who helped Roberto Luongo smile again.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check our Projected Goalies Grid
Wild (Devan Dubnyk) at Red Wings (Petr Mrazek), 7:30 PM
Bruins (Tuukka Rask) at Blues (Brian Elliott), 8:00 PM
Blackhawks (Scott Darling) at Jets (Michael Hutchinson), 8:00 PM
Capitals (Braden Holtby) at Avalanche (Semyon Varlamov), 9:00 PM
Canucks (Jacob Markstrom) at Ducks (John Gibson), 10:00 PM
Injury News For Teams Playing Friday
Minnesota Wild
Thomas Vanek, LW (upper body) – did not play Thursday; questionable.
Ryan Carter, LW (personal) – did not play Thursday; questionable.
Jared Spurgeon, D (undisclosed) – left Thursday's game; questionable.
David Jones, RW (illness) – no return date set.
Detroit Red Wings
Drew Miller, LW (left ACL) – out for the season.
Johan Franzen, RW (concussion) – no timetable for return.
Boston Bruins
Brett Connolly, RW (undisclosed) – will not play.
Dennis Seidenberg, D (undisclosed) – will not play.
Ryan Spooner, C (undisclosed) – practiced Thursday; questionable.
John-Michael Liles, D (lower body) – practiced Thursday; questionable.
David Krejci, C (undisclosed) – practiced Thursday; questionable.
Chris Kelly, LW (broken femur) – skated Tuesday; no return date set.
St. Louis Blues
Carl Gunnarsson, D (upper body) – no return date set.
Jay Bouwmeester, D (upper body) – may have a concussion; no return date set.
Robby Fabbri, LW (ankle) – day-to-day; will not play.
Steve Ott, C (hamstring) – will not play.
Chicago Blackhawks
Marian Hossa, RW (illness) – will not play.
Corey Crawford, G (upper body) – no return date set.
Winnipeg Jets
J.C. Lipon, RW (upper body) – did not play Tuesday; questionable.
Bryan Little, C (back) – no timetable for return.
Tyler Myers, D (hip/knee) – out for the season.
Grant Clitsome, D (back) – out for the season.
Anthony Peluso, RW (shoulder) – out for the season.
Toby Enstrom, D (knee surgery) – out indefinitely.
Mathieu Perreault, C (concussion) – out indefinitely.
Colorado Avalanche
Brad Stuart, D (back) – no timetable for return.
Jesse Winchester, LW (concussion) – no timetable for return.
Nathan MacKinnon, C (knee) – will not play.
Matt Duchene, C (knee) – game-day decision; probable.
Vancouver Canucks
Alexander Edler, D (broken leg) – out for the season.
Radim Vrbata, RW (knee) – out for the season.
Brandon Prust, LW (ankle) – out for the season.
Brandon Sutter, C (broken jaw) – out for the season.
Luca Sbisa, D (upper body) – no timetable for return.
Derek Dorsett, RW (upper body) – will not play.
Jake Virtanen, RW (suspension) – will not play.
Anaheim Ducks
Simon Despres, D (undisclosed) – did not play Wednesday; questionable.
Rickard Rakell, C (illness) – did not play Wednesday; questionable.
Josh Manson, D (undisclosed) – did not play Wednesday; questionable.
Kevin Bieksa, D (upper body) – did not play Wednesday; questionable.
David Perron, LW (shoulder) – no return date set.
Hot
Phil Kessel, RW, PIT – Phil da Thrill!!! I guess what I wrote about him not being very good at hockey made him mad, because he's got four goals and five assists in his past four games. It didn't work with Sidney Crosby and it didn't work with Evgeni Malkin, but it's certainly working with Nick Bonino, who lets Kessel carry the puck. That's probably the biggest difference, but now when Malkin comes back, the Pens can run three-deep on offense. Pretty dangerous.
Jeff Carter, RW, LA – He helped the Kings snap a three-game losing streak and has four goals and two assists in his past three games. If you have to nitpick, Carter's points came from a beat down of two Canadian (ie. bad) teams, with an ugly 5-2 loss to San Jose sandwiched in between. The good news? Carter gets Vancouver and Calgary next.
Cold
Pekka Rinne, G, NSH – What's going on, buddy?! After winning five straight games Rinne is coming apart at the seams once again, allowing 10 goals in his past three games. It's a good thing they're almost assured a playoff spot, but they will enter the first round of the playoffs on shaky ground. Facing either of the two division winners will be a very tough challenge.
Artemi Panarin, LW, CHI – Can we talk about how exposed he's become? He hasn't scored since March 9 and has just two assists since then, and finished with an ugly minus-3 rating in a 4-1 loss to Minnesota. His point totals make him look good, but Shayne Gostisbehere has to be the front-runner for the Calder Trophy now. At this rate, don't expect Panarin to be a big factor in the playoffs. It's a bonus if he is, but guys like Andrew Ladd will play a bigger role.
Recommended Pickup
Nick Bonino, C, PIT – He still can't make the odd tape-to-tape pass and he's not a very dangerous shooter, but meshing with a player who can score in bunches is very nice, and that's what he has with Kessel. He's owned in just 11 percent of Yahoo leagues. Thank me later.
