After a 4-1 loss at the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, the Canucks, 1-5-2 in their past eight games, were mathematically eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention. "You try to keep yourself kind of positive and stay energized, but it's tough when you're out of [the playoff race]," center Brandon Sutter said after practice Friday. "It's not easy, it's kind of a tough time of year, but you've just got to keep pushing through, and the more character we show in that kind of helps us next year. Just trying to get better." Backup goaltender Richard Bachman will start, and No. 1 Ryan Miller will start against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, Desjardins said. Goaltender Jacob Markstom, out since Feb. 16 with and illness, and forward Jayson Megna, who missed one game with an upper-body injury, took part in full practices Friday but aren't expected to return this weekend, according to coach Willie Desjardins. "[Megna's] close," Desjardins said. "I don't know if he'll see the next two games but he's close … and [Markstrom's] back and he's good. He'll be a couple games. He won't factor into these next two, but it's good that he's back and he should be ready next week." Backup goaltender Richard Bachman will start, and No. 1 Ryan Miller will start against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, Desjardins said.
