CanucksBuzz: Game 82—The Reunion of the Defensemen

VANCOUVER—The Vancouver Canucks received several pieces of good news in a week that saw them secure the President's Trophy, giving them home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs and the right to sit back to do some scoreboard watching.

The team has managed to overcome injuries all season long. This week, they witnessed the return of big, strong defenseman Alex Edler to the lineup. Edler is probably the Canucks most valuable defenseman due to his puck-moving ability, physical presence, and the hardest shot on the team.

Also, Dan Hamhuis, who was taken out for precautionary reasons after another hit to the head in the Columbus Blue Jackets game, is preparing a return to action on Saturday. Hamhuis described his second concussion as, at worst, very mild. He is excited to return and form a shutdown unit with partner Kevin Bieksa.

All that said, let's look at the defensemen who were penciled in for Game 1 of the regular season for the first time.

Pairing 1: Alex Edler - Christian Ehroff

Pairing 2: Dan Hamhuis - Kevin Bieksa

Pairing 3: Keith Ballard - Sami Salo

The coaching staff will elect to share ice time between the defensemen, with all six able to play over twenty minutes a night. Expect Hamhuis and Bieksa to see matched up against opposing top scorers, with Edler and Ehrhoff lining up with the Sedins for most of the night.

Thanks for supporting your Vancouver Canucks.

Joseph Trenton

Twitter @JosephTrenton