Canucks resume preseason at home against the Sharks; Hodgson centering top line

The Canucks look to improve to 6-0 tonight at GM place as they host the San Jose Sharks. However, the big story isn't if they can stay undefeated, but rather that top prospect Cody Hodgson will be centering Alex Burrows and Ryan Kesler on Vancouver's top line. The Canucks lineup is extremely thin of veterans tonight (see lineup below), meaning they will rely heavily on that first line to produce. Clearly, coach Alain Vigneault is putting Hodgson in a position to succeed, and is looking to see what he can bring to the table in a starring role.

As per the Vancouver Sun

Burrows - Hodgson - Kesler

Hordichuk - Scatchard - Hansen

Raymond - Bolduc - Pope

Glass - Bliznak - Bernier

Funk - Edler

Oberg - Lukowich

Sauve - Bieksa

Luongo (Full game)

Raycroft?

Ferriero-Thornton-Setoguchi

Marleau-Pavelski-Clowe

McLaren-Malhotra-Ortmeyer

Shelley-Nichol-Staubitz

Murray-Demers

Joslin-Blake

Huskins-Callahan

Nabokov

Greiss

The Sharks on the otherhand are expected to ice a strong lineup, although Danny Heatley will NOT be in the lineup for the San Jose. Evgeni Nabokov and Tomas Greiss are expected to share the duties in net. Puck drops at 7pm. Check back in following the game for a complete review and analysis of the matchup.

Our take: Everyone is expecting big things from Hodgson tonight, and the pressure is definitely on him to succeed. With the thin lineup the Canucks are icing tonight, it's pretty evident remaining undefeated is not overly important to them. Many players in Vancouver's lineup are on the bubble and this may be the last chance for many of them to make an impression. Cuts are expected on Friday, a day after the Canucks host the Ducks.