VANCOUVER -- Canucks coach Alain Vigneualt said Saturday morning that both Dan Hamhuis and Manny Malhotra are "game-time decisions" for Saturday night's Game 2 (8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, RDS) against the Boston Bruins at Rogers Arena.
However, judging by the lack of participation from Hamhuis during the past three days, it would seem the defenseman is more doubtful, than likely, to play in Game 2.
Hamhuis suffered an injury near the four-minute mark of the second period in Vancouver's 1-0 win Wednesday in Game 1 when he delivered a hip check to Bruins forward Milan Lucic.
On Friday, when the Canucks held a full practice, Kevin Bieksa, Hamhuis' partner, was paired with Aaron Rome, who had been paired with Christian Ehrhoff in Game 1. Ehrhoff was paired with Andrew Alberts during Friday's practice, leading many to believe that Alberts will draw in to the lineup.
"Our team was built on a strong and deep defense," said Ehrhoff. "We've used it all year long with different guys being out at different times. Everybody can play with everybody, so it's not a big adjustment we have to make.
"Obviously whoever comes in has to step up and play some big minutes. That's what we've done all year."
Sami Salo and Alexander Edler remained a pair during Friday's practice while Keith Ballard and Christopher Tanev was the team's fourth pairing on defense.
Hamhuis has a goal and five assists in 19 playoff games while averaging 24:50 of ice time. The 28-year-old missed 18 games during the regular season with two separate concussions.
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