Vancouver Canucks defenceman Mattias Ohlund will miss Thursday's key conference showdown with the Nashville Predators because of an injured knee. 

Rookie defenceman Luc Bourdon was recalled Wednesday from the AHL's Manitoba Moose, and either he or Mike Weaver will replace Ohlund in the lineup.

Mattias Ohlund (2) checks a fallen Peter Forsberg in Tuesday's 2-1 Canucks setback.
(David Zalubowski/Associated Press)

Vancouver trails Nashville by two points for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

Ohlund, 31, suffered the undisclosed injury in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. 

He has posted eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points in 50 games this season.

Ohlund has totalled 86 goals and 298 points in 685 NHL games since he was drafted 13th overall by the Canucks in 1994.

With files from the Canadian Press