Scenes from practice: Canucks’ lines remain the same after season-opening win vs. Flames

After opening the season in their black skate gear, the Canucks returned to their traditional blue and white colours for practice. The team skated for about 40 minutes in the same line combinations and defensive pairings used in Thursday’s win. It’s expected they’ll go with that same lineup in Edmonton.

Head coach Adam Foote said the team worked on its regroups and getting back faster and having the forwards be available for the defencemen quicker. Foote said he felt his team got caught in that situation a few times against the Flames, and he wanted to drill home the importance of retreating faster early in the season as he tries to instill his systems.

Foote confirmed that rookie – and Sherwood Park, AB native – Braeden Cootes will suit up for his second NHL game in his hometown. Without last change, the club will be challenged to shelter the 18-year-old who could find himself matched up against Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl – or both.

Foote did not confirm his starting goalie for Saturday night’s contest.

What we heard

Adam Foote on auditioning penalty killing forwards in the early stages of the season: “We’ve got some guys that need reps and have to learn how to do it. And it depends on which power play you’re facing. So there were a lot of good things and we’ve got to continue to focus on those things. It’s not going to get any easier.”

When asked if the Oilers potent power play changes the way the Canucks prepare, Foote laughed and offered an emphatic “Yes.”

Arshdeep Bains discussing crowd reaction to his two key shot blocks on a Flames second period period power play with the Canucks holding a slim 1-0 lead: “It’s special. You feel that energy out on the ice. When you block shots, every guy on the team respects that. Guys sacrifice, guys do their job and you get rewarded like you’d scored a goal.”

Jake DeBrusk on his season opener and knowing he has plenty more to give: “For me personally, I’ve got to be better demanding the puck and do more than that. First game, hadn’t played in a while, rusty, we had a week off. Personally I didn’t really do too much out there. In fairness, I didn’t do that much wrong or that much good. In saying that, it was nice to get the win. But we’ll need a better effort against Edmonton and there’s no room for error against their top line, so I need to step up.”