Three lineup changes for Vancouver Canucks to consider before Game 6 in Nashville

That said, the job of being Thatcher Demko’s backup wasn’t Silovs’ to lose. It was DeSmith’s. And we would also argue – and already did – that DeSmith hasn’t done anything to justify his ceding the crease, either, aside from getting injured.

DeSmith is the veteran backup that Canucks management sought out for the specific task of ably filling in for Demko when injured. And aside from a shaky Game 2, that’s exactly what DeSmith has done this season, including a stellar Game 3 showing. His 29 saves on 30 shots that night was the best performance of any Canucks’ goalie in the playoffs thus far.

From where we’re sitting, the decision probably looks like this: if DeSmith has any lingering effects from whatever injury kept him out of Game 4, then Silovs should start. If DeSmith is back to relatively-perfect health, then he should start.

The only hesitation might be the thought that Silovs is currently rolling, and that goaltender rolls are not something to be interrupted. But it isn’t so much of a roll that DeSmith doesn’t deserve another shot. If it were Demko returning to health, there’d be little question about getting him back in at this point. For now, DeSmith probably receives the same grace.

The next lineup change to consider is to the forward corps. Offence is still hard to come by in this series, as are shots and scoring chances in general. The Predators have very effectively gummed up the middle of the ice, to the point that the Canucks’ only goal in Game 5 came as a result of Zadorov skating end-to-end and catching Juuse Saros off-guard with a rising shot.

Prior to Game 5, we published an article suggesting putting Vasily Podkolzin into the lineup in place of Phil di Giuseppe.

But then di Giuseppe turned around and had probably his strongest game of the playoffs in Game 5, including some real chances and important contributions on the penalty kill. So, getting Podkolzin in there becomes an extra challenge.

The next on the “to-be-scratched” list might be Sam Lafferty, but he’s had a physical and engaged series, and he’s been taking a lot of faceoffs for Teddy Blueger and winning his fair share of them.

Some will advocate for scratching Mikheyev in favour of Podkolzin. But Mikheyev has looked better and better as the series has wore on, and one can’t help but feel he might be on the verge of putting some points on the board.

As we pointed out in that earlier article, the impetus to get Podkolzin in is clear. Not only does he carry more offensive potential than the average black ace, he specifically plays a power forward style that might be able to break through Nashville’s choked-out middle-of-the-ice. He’s also got a long history of stepping it up for playoff hockey at lower levels.

But it’s not a very easy choice to make, because without another injury, somebody has to be scratched in order to get Podkolzin in there.

The last lineup change worth considering, however, is perhaps even trickier. Noah Juulsen is still sitting in the pressbox. He got into Game 2 as a result of Tyler Myers’ illness, and despite being a -1 in 11:24 of ice-time, Juulsen played well and set a noticeable physical tone.

Game 5 was the most physical of the series since Game 1, with each side recording 36 official hits each for a total of 72. But it was the Preds who more effectively used their physicality to shut down the Canucks, and so there may be an impetus to turn that tide back a little by inserting Juulsen.

But who could you take out of the lineup to accommodate him?

Myers has played great since returning to health. Ian Cole has been a shot-blocking wizard and is proving abundantly capable of playing the right-side when needed. Filip Hronek isn’t going anywhere.

The reality is that the rest of the blueline has probably played too well for Juulsen to bump in for Game 6. It’s good that he’s an option, and it’s a great problem to have to be scratching players you’d rather play in the playoffs.

But either way, it’s just one of the many decisions facing Tocchet and Co. as they prepare to board one last flight to Nashville. One way or another, they’ll be coming back to Vancouver thereafter – either on their way to Round Two, or to a terse Game 7.