Canucks winger Daniel Sedin has been sidelined with a concussion after taking an elbow to the head by Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith in March. (Jim Mone/Associated Press)
Three things you need to know about the Canucks-Kings series opener.
Daniel Sedin will not play in the series opener
The Los Angeles Kings will have Jeff Carter back in the lineup after he missed a few games late in the season with a bruised ankle, but the Vancouver Canucks will be without Daniel Sedin.
The former Hart Trophy winner did not even skate on Wednesday after back-to-back days on the ice Monday and Tuesday. This development comes on the heels of an intriguing report out of Sweden that Daniel was still suffering from headaches.
Before the Canucks arrived at Rogers Arena for their morning skate, Sedin's father Tommy told a Swedish website that his son would not play against the Kings on Wednesday and that he still was dealing with headaches.
"Yesterday, I warned [Henrik about not revealing too much about his brother] and now I've warned Hank to talk to his parents," Canucks coach Alain Vigneault joked. "You could talk to his other brothers. Maybe if you want to call on his two brothers there is another story there.
"I'm not going to discuss what his father said and whether his information is correct ... We have the total picture. We know what's going on and we're not sharing that information."
Daniel Sedin skated alongside his brother and Alex Burrows on Monday, but did not skate with the regular group on Tuesday. Instead, he practised with the black aces.
Daniel Sedin suffered a concussion after he took an elbow from Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith. Sedin missed the final nine games of the regular season, but the Canucks managed an 8-1-0 record in his absence.
"That's the media, right?" Henrik Sedin remarked when asked about his dad's comments. "We all have parents that have seen us grow up and play minor hockey and they don't think it's a big deal, but nowadays news travels fast and that's the way it is, so I'm not going to say any more than that.
"That's the way it is nowadays, phone numbers are out there and people are going to call."
Raymond to replace Daniel on the Canucks' top line
Mason Raymond will join Henrik Sedin and Burrows on Vancouver's first line. The 26-year-old Raymond, of course, did not play until Dec. 4 this season because he suffered a compression vertebrae fracture in Game 6 in Boston of the Stanley Cup final last June.
Raymond hit the 25-goal mark two seasons ago, but he scored only 10 times in 55 games this season, and was a healthy scratch twice down the stretch.
"This is another opportunity for me," the native of Cochrane, Alta. said.
Sutter makes his mark
Under new coach Darryl Sutter Los Angeles went an impressive 25-13-11. Despite his demanding ways, the Kings have enjoyed playing for their new leader.
"We have been a much better prepared team," Kings defenceman Willie Mitchell said. "He's second to none in terms of preparation in the coaches I've played for. He loves games days and as our leader that rubs off on us.
"He's demanding, but honest. He's fair. He doesn't play favourites. If you don't execute he'll let you know."
Sutter had not coached in the NHL since he was behind the bench of the 2005-06 Calgary Flames. He was asked how different it was returning to the game after five years of not coaching.
"I have to stay out of the way in practice," he joked. "It's a lot faster."
Sutter steered the Flames to a first-round upset over the Canucks in 2004.
Canucks forward lines
Mason Raymond - Henrik Sedin - Alex Burrows
Max Lapierre - Ryan Kesler - David Booth
Chris Higgins - Sami Pahlsson - Jannik Hansen
Zack Kassian - Manny Maholtra - Byron Bitz
Starting goalie - Roberto Luongo
Kings forward lines
Dustin Brown - Anze Kopitar - Justin Williams
Dwight King - Mike Richards - Jeff Carter
Dustin Penner - Jarret Stoll - Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford - Colin Fraser - Jordan Nolan
Starting goalie - Jonathan Quick
Tim Wharnsby
Tim's worked the sports beat at The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Sun, specializing in Canada's one true sporting obsession - hockey. He knows the players, the coaches, the backroom boys and most importantly, the fans. That's what he brings to his stories. Knowledge, fairness and understanding are trademarks of a Wharnsby story. That's what you will get here as he writes for CBCSports.ca.
