Eddie Lack isn’t worried about a repeat of last year, when the Vancouver Canucks goalie was forced to start 19 straight games down the stretch -- in a span of 41 days, no less -- after Roberto Luongo was traded to Florida in early March.
This time around, with starter Ryan Miller reportedly out until at least the playoffs, Lack doesn’t believe his game will suffer with the increased workload, as it did last year.
“My body and mentally, I am feeling way better, but I am getting a lot more rest in between starts too,” Lack said ahead of his 13th straight appearance tonight versus Columbus, per NHL.com.
“So much is different this year, it’s hard to compare. I’m feeling good.”
Lack credits a new offseason workout regiment for making him stronger and more durable.
From a travel perspective, the schedule has been less arduous, too. Last year, from March 4-27, the Canucks had eight away games. This year, they’ll only have four during that same frame, with none of them outside their time zone.
To be sure, Lack is unlikely to start the remainder of the schedule. Jacob Markstrom may get the nod this weekend, either Saturday in Los Angeles or Sunday in Arizona. The Canucks also have a tough four-games-in-six-nights trip through St. Louis, Nashville, Chicago, and Winnipeg starting March 30.
Obviously, coach Willie Desjardins will want to keep Lack fresh as possible. Because there’s another thing that’s unlike last year at this time -- the Canucks are in a playoff spot.
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