The Canucks, who have lost four straight games (0-2-2) and are 12 points behind the Blues in the playoff race, are starting to focus on giving more opportunities to younger players for the rest of the season. "There are guys that will never get a better opportunity to prove they are NHL players than now. Never," coach Willie Desjardins said. "They have to be ready and they have to take advantage of it." That includes forward Reid Boucher, who will be back on the second line with Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi for a second straight game. Boucher started on that line against the Boston Bruins on Monday but was dropped down the lineup two shifts into a 6-3 loss. Boucher, who will be playing his 100th NHL game, hasn't had many chances as a top-six forward until now. "It's a good opportunity for me," he said. "It puts me in a position to go out and play a style of game I am comfortable with. … You have to go out and compete every night and show them you can earn a spot for next year." Goaltender Ryan Miller, 36, will start for the 12th time in the past 13 games despite averaging 39.8 shots against in his past five. Regular backup Jacob Markstrom will miss his 12th game with a knee injury.
