The Vancouver Canucks were without forward Brock Boeser in their game against the Washington Capitals due to personal reasons. General manager Patrik Allvin made the announcement through the team’s social media channels, without providing a timeline for Boeser’s return. Instead, Jonathan Lekkerimaki was inserted into the lineup for the game against the Capitals.
Boeser, who has scored three goals in five games this season for Vancouver, played a crucial role in their recent victory over Chicago by scoring in the shootout to secure a 3-2 win. The 28-year-old right-winger avoided free agency by signing a new seven-year, $50.75-million US contract with the Canucks in July. Boeser, selected 23rd overall by Vancouver in the 2015 draft, has accumulated 207 goals and 237 assists in his NHL career, having played all 559 regular-season games for the Canucks.