Canucks Schedule: Blowing into the Windy City on high note to cap ...

What to do? What to do?

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With two days between games — and a Sunday off in summer-like Chicago where the thermometer hit 25 C — there was lots to lure the Vancouver Canucks.

And after a pair of resilient road victories in Sunrise, Fla., and Philadelphia, the mood was obviously upbeat. Perhaps some shopping along the Miracle Mile on famed Michigan Avenue. Maybe the stunning architectural boat tour on the Chicago River and its three tributaries or a good dive into some deep-dish pizza.

For J.T. Miller, rest and treatment are best bets to ensure he plays Tuesday. So, maybe it was just chilling and dialing up his Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night to see if Russell Wilson could direct a win over the New York Jets. And there’s always room service.

J.T. Miller took on hulking Flames winger Anthony Mantha in the Oct. 9 season-opener at Rogers Arena. Photo by Derek Cain /Getty Images

The workhorse centre suffered discomfort on the opening draw Saturday and was limited to two faceoffs and two shots in a 3-0 victory over the Flyers. He briefly left the game after getting tangled up while winning the draw against Ryan Poehling.

Upon returning to the bench, Miller favoured his left arm to possibly indicate a midsection problem or perhaps a shoulder strain — although he did deliver three hits in 17:01 of ice time.

“He’s dealing with some stuff,” said Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet. “We didn’t want him to take draws, but he still played well for us. We’ll have to see how it is. He’ll get a couple of days off to rest.”

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Miller was also dealing with “stuff” that limited him to just one pre-season game. He then responded with a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in the season-opener, a goal, assist and fight trifecta that would have put any nagging ailment to the test.

So we’re left to ponder if there’s a connection with the pre-season problem to his current condition.

“In two days, you can’t put together a full rehab plan, but if this is a lingering issue, perhaps they already had a plan in place and can look into modifying and scaling back a bit,” B.C. physician and ardent hockey analyst Dr. Harjas Grewal surmised Sunday. “I bet he plays against Chicago, but maybe he doesn’t take draws.”

This is how a leader and star player functions. Pain or no pain, he drags his club into the fight. He’s a monster in the faceoff circle with a 61.1 per cent efficiency through five games, in which he has three points (2-1) and 11 hits that are seldom of the light variety.

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Miller’s overtime winner Thursday in Florida was a reminder that he can be a difference-maker any night. And his 10th extra-session goal with the Canucks passed Brendan Morrison on the franchise chart and is six shy of Daniel Sedin’s club-record 16.

Sedin played 1,306 regular-season and 102 playoff games, all with the Canucks. Miller has logged 369 regular-season and 30 post-season games with Vancouver. Noodle on that.

This was Miller at his motivational best before facing the Panthers:

“We talked about building a standard and we’re not playing up to that. I have to worry about being a leader and bringing the team into the fight. I’m going to bring a better game, and if everybody does that, it will help. We look like we want it to be an easy night and it’s hard in this league. This is an awesome test for us.”

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That’s the attitude that allowed Miller to put up a career 103 points last season (37-66) to finish ninth in NHL scoring. It included 10 power-play goals.

Here’s what awaits the Canucks this week with a stop in Chicago before hosting Pittsburgh:

Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks skates with the puck against Jack Quinn #22 of the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at the United Center on October 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Patrick McDermott /Getty ImagesCanucks versus Blackhawks

When and where: Tuesday 5:15 p.m. | United Center

TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650

Why watch: Finishing this trip with a three-game win streak would be a testament to answering the call for better attention to play without the puck and defensive diligence. Kevin Lankinen faces his former club with a stunning .953 save percentage through three games after stopping 81 of 85 shots.

Who to watch: Centre Connor Bedard

The North Vancouver product had six assists in his first six games and that shouldn’t be surprising. The first overall selection in the 2023 NHL draft is adept at looking one way and threading perfect passes in the opposite direction and right on the tape for Grade A scoring chances. Unselfish. Joy to watch.

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Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, second left, tries to get a shot away on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz as Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner, left, and Jake McCabe defend during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto, on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Photo by Chris Young /The Canadian PressCanucks vs. Penguins

When and where: Saturday 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena

TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650

Why watch: Establishing home-ice dominance with a 27-9-5 mark, and tied for the NHL lead with the fewest regulation losses, allowed the Canucks to pile up 109 points last season and capture the Pacific Division title. They’re 0-0-2 at home to start this season. Does goalie Arturs Silovs finally get another start?

Who to watch: Centre Sidney Crosby

At age 37, the Penguins captain is far from ‘Sid the Kid’, but his enthusiasm for the game and impressive production remain remarkable. His 42 goals last season were a product of how hard he remains to be contained down low with a strong core and his knack for finishing scoring chances in traffic.

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