Canucks’ Silovs to start Game 1, Pettersson in after missing practice

The Vancouver Canucks are sticking with their rookie goaltender for Game 1 as expected.

Head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed the team will be starting Arturs Silovs in net Wednesday for Game 1 of their first-round series against the Edmonton Oilers.

Silovs, 23, played three out of six games in Round 1 against the Nashville Predators, recording a 1.70 goals-against average and .938 save percentage.

Meanwhile, the Canucks will not be without star forward Elias Pettersson as was initially feared.

Tocchet told reporters at Wednesday’s optional morning skate that Pettersson will be good to go. The 25-year-old missed practice on Tuesday due to illness but was on the ice ahead of Game 1.

According to Tocchet, the team was not attempting to hide an injury by ruling him out with an illness on Tuesday. “We don’t lie here,” he said.

Catch Game 1 between the Canucks and Oilers starting at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.