One of the top goal scorers in the NHL this season is getting some extra rest before the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
According to Irfaan Gaffar, Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser did not travel with the team to Manitoba, and will not be in the lineup on Thursday night for the team’s regular-season finale against the Winnipeg Jets.
Per the report, Boeser is “dealing with something,” hence the decision not to force him into the lineup for a meaningless game, as the Canucks have already locked up first place in the Pacific Division, and are unable to catch the Dallas Stars for the best record in the Western Conference.
Boeser has been having the best season of his time in the NHL. In 81 games, the 27-year-old has scored 40 goals and 73 points, both career highs. He is one of 17 players who hit the 40-goal mark during the 2023-24 campaign.
It is impressive that Boeser will have missed just one game this season. The Burnsville, Minnesota native has been plagued with injuries over his seven-year career. Boeser has only played a full NHL season once, that coming in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season.
His production had tapered off over the last couple of seasons, scoring 55 points in 74 games last year, only notching 46 points during a tough 2021-22 campaign.
In 479 career games, Boeser has registered 179 goals and 205 assists. This spring will be just his second playoff experience as a Canuck, as he posted 11 points during Vancouver’s run to the second round in the 2020 playoffs.
The Canucks already know their opponent for the opening round, as they are set to face the Nashville Predators, who secured the first Wild Card spot in the West.
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