As if a four-game losing streak and preparing for the second half of a back-to-back wasn’t tough enough for the Vancouver Canucks, they’re now on the long list of those affected by the severe cold weather impacting the southeastern United States.
The team, which played the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night, was scheduled to depart for Toronto immediately following the game. The Canucks’ flight was delayed, however, due to the hazardous conditions all along the Eastern Seaboard.
As a result, the team wasn’t able to depart for Toronto until Saturday morning. The team has made it to Toronto ahead of a Saturday night (7 p.m. ET) game against the Maple Leafs, but it was a tough travel day ahead of the difficult second half of the back-to-back.
The winter storm has been impacting airports and roadways throughout the southern states. Saturday night’s NBA game between the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks in Georgia was postponed by the league because of the severe weather.
For the Canucks, Toronto is the penultimate stop on a five-game road trip and where they’ll hope to turn their fortunes after having lost four straight. They picked up points with overtime losses in Montreal and Washington, but were shut out against Carolina on Friday.
They’ll face the Maple Leafs’ third-string goalie — and acting backup amidst an injury to Anthony Stolarz — in Dennis Hildeby on Saturday night.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube told reporters that Stolarz has been skating on his own, but isn’t quite sure when the goalie would rejoin the team.
Watch the Canucks take on the Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada on Sportsnet, starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
