Veteran Andrew Alberts will make his season debut Wednesday for the Vancouver Canucks when he’s penciled into the lineup in place of sophomore blue-liner Chris Tanev.
The move is likely less an indictment of Tanev’s play – he’s been OK through two games, averaging 13:44 in ice-time while staying even in plus/minus – a more a desire by the coaching staff for a bit more toughness in the lineup when the team faces the Philadelphia Flyers on the road.
Alberts certainly isn’t the puck-mover Tanev has the potential to be, but a road game against a typically tough team like the Flyers seems as good a time as any to get the veteran into the lineup.
Roberto Luongo will also return to the net against the Flyers, with Cory Schneider expected to play the second game of the back-to-back Thursday in Detroit.
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