Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

‘I don’t think he’s tired,’ says Canucks GM Benning of goalie Lack

Eddie Lack

Vancouver Canucks goalie Eddie Lack celebrates after the third period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 7, 2015. The Canucks won 3-2. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

AP

Brought back into the role of starting goalie since the injury to Ryan Miller, Eddie Lack has now appeared in 13 consecutive games for the Vancouver Canucks.

And it’s very likely he’ll continue to see the bulk of the work, as that team fights for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. On Thursday, the Canucks jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the Columbus Blue Jackets and then collapsed in a 6-2 loss on home ice. Lack was pulled in the third period. It was a bad night for him and a bad night for the team in front of him, too.

The Canucks play the L.A. Kings on Saturday in a huge divisional match-up. The Canucks lead the Kings by two points in the Pacific Division, and are 0-3 this season against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

If the above report turns out to be the case, it would mean 14 straight games for Lack.

The question of fatigue has come up again because Lack was played right into the ground by the end of last season, after the Canucks traded Roberto Luongo.

Behind Lack right now is Jacob Markstrom.

Speaking on TSN 1040 radio in Vancouver, Canucks general manager Jim Benning didn’t believe that fatigue was an issue for the 27-year-old Lack.

“You know, Eddie’s played well going into (Thursday’s) game. I thought he’s responded well to being the No. 1 goalie and ... giving our team a chance to win games. Having said that, we need good goaltending,” said Benning.

“I don’t think he’s tired. But I think the plan is to try to get Jacob in maybe a game or two, but that depends on how we do, too, and the importance of the games.”

Meanwhile, Benning said Miller, out since Feb. 22 with a knee sprain, is on schedule in his recovery, despite a report earlier this week that Miller wouldn’t be back before playoffs, and that he skated Wednesday.

“He felt pretty good,” said Benning. “He’s working with our medical staff on a day-to-day basis and they’re working with him to get him healthy and up and going, so everyday he seems like he’s getting a little bit better. But we don’t have a timetable yet for him as to when he’s going to be back.”

Follow @CamTucker_Metro