SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The Vancouver Canucks might have to replace one-third of their defense for Game 4 on Sunday. Jamie McGinn is to blame.
Christian Ehrhoff left Game 3 on Friday with an upper-body injury suffered with 5:40 to play in the first period after McGinn caught him with a shoulder-to-shoulder hit. With 8:38 remaining in the third period, McGinn boarded Aaron Rome, who stayed on the ice for a while and needed help from two trainers to get to the dressing room.
McGinn was issued a five-minute major and a game misconduct, but he could still play in Game 4 pending potential supplemental discipline or a coach's decision. Rome and Ehrhoff are doubtful, according to Canucks coach Alain Vigneault.
"Yes, both," was all a terse Vigneault would say about the possibility of not having either in Game 4.
Keith Ballard and Andrew Alberts are likely going to draw in for Game 4 if Rome and/or Ehrhoff can't go. The Canucks also called up Chris Tanev from the AHL Manitoba Moose prior to the series, but he did not travel with the team to San Jose.
It's obviously still possible that they fly in Tanev on Saturday, but it's more likely that the Canucks will go with Ballard and Alberts, the veterans who have each played in these playoffs. Ballard last played in Game 2 against Nashville. Alberts hasn't played since Game 3 against the Predators.
"We've had great defensive core all year. Guys have stepped up and played big roles for us when we've had some injuries," goalie Roberto Luongo said. "Hopefully those guys don't have anything serious, but we're not concerned because we know we've got guys who can play."
Vigneault was particularly upset at losing Rome because he did not seem to like the hit by McGinn.
"If I was Aaron Rome, I'd be upset right now," Vigneault said. "But I know that they got the right call on the ice. We'll see what happens."
Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl
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