The Vancouver Canucks have placed defenseman Erik Brännström on waivers, marking a notable turn in his time with the team. The 25-year-old, who was originally acquired from the Colorado Avalanche, has struggled to maintain a regular presence in the Canucks' lineup, having been a healthy scratch for the past six games. As of now, he has recorded three goals and eight assists in 28 games this season while averaging just under 15 minutes of ice time.

This marks the second time Brännström has faced waivers, the first occurrence happening in October shortly after his arrival in Vancouver. If he clears waivers, he is expected to be assigned to the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks.

The decision to assign Brännström may suggest that fellow defenseman Filip Hronek is nearing a return to the Canucks. Hronek has been sidelined since November 27 due to a lower-body injury but is currently on a conditioning stint in Abbotsford, which allows him to practice while the Canucks are out on a five-game road trip.

The NHL season returns with a twelve-game slate on January 2, 2024, providing ample opportunities for daily fantasy sports enthusiasts. The top three teams with the highest implied totals are the Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights, indicating potential high-scoring matchups. Players are advised to keep an eye on injury news as they prepare their lineups for contests on DraftKings and FanDuel.

In goal, Filip Gustavsson stands out despite facing the Washington Capitals, having recently demonstrated solid performance metrics. Nathan MacKinnon is highlighted as a top center choice against the Buffalo Sabres, while Jake Guentzel is noted for his favorable matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Erik Brannstrom and Ty Smith are recommended defensemen due to their roles on their respective teams' power-play units.

The Vancouver Canucks faced a tough defeat against the Boston Bruins, losing 5-1 despite a strong performance from goaltender Thatcher Demko. The Bruins dominated early, scoring three goals in the first period and maintaining control throughout the game.

Max Sasson managed to score the Canucks' only goal, marking his first NHL goal. The game also saw notable performances from Bruins players Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Pavel Zacha, contributing significantly to the scoreline.

Jake DeBrusk's hat trick, capped by an overtime game-winner, propelled the Vancouver Canucks to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen also made history, achieving the NHL record for the most consecutive road wins at the start of a season.

DeBrusk's two power-play goals helped the Canucks rally back, while Pius Suter contributed to the scoreline. The Red Wings saw contributions from Jonatan Berggren and others, but suffered a setback with starting goaltender Cam Talbot's injury.

Jake DeBrusk's hat trick, including the overtime winner, led the Vancouver Canucks to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen set a new NHL record with ten consecutive road wins to start a season, surpassing legends Glenn Hall and Cam Talbot.

In other matchups, the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-3, extending their points streak to six games, while the Dallas Stars triumphed over the Winnipeg Jets 3-1, highlighted by Mason Marchment's winning goal.