Fans watch as Vancouver Canucks' Alex Burrows takes part in a practice on the first day of the NHL hockey team's training camp in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday January 13, 2013.The Canadian Press
Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows was taken out of the visiting dressing room at the Scotiabank Saddledome on a stretcher Tuesday and rushed to hospital in an ambulance after leaving the ice in discomfort following the morning skate ahead of the fourth game of their Pacific Division semi-final series against the Calgary Flames.
Burrows, who has been playing on the top line along with Daniel and Henrik Sedin, was ruled out of tonight's game by the Canucks as a result of an upper-body injury. However, the Canucks also stated that the decision to bring Burrows to hospital via ambulance was done mostly for precautionary reasons.
It was unclear in the immediate aftermath of the morning skate what exactly was wrong with Burrows, although the Canucks had called up Sven Baertschi from the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League for tonight's game. Baertschi is now expected to go into the Canucks' lineup, though it remains to be seen how coach Willie Desjardins juggles his lines, in response to Burrows's absence.
The speculation is that Burrows's injury is to his wrist, though that was not confirmed by the Canucks. Later, there were reports he suffered a broken rib. The agitating 34-year-old is often a focal point in playoff series and looked to be in hot water following Sunday's 4-2 loss after he fought Calgary defenceman Kris Russell in the final minutes of the game and faced a possible suspension.
The NHL determined that they would not suspend Burrows, which looked as if it would pave the way for his participation in the fourth game.
Burrows replaced Radim Vrbata on the top line down the stretch for Vancouver and it stands to reason that he will be back with the Sedins tonight. That would allow them to move Baertschi to the second line, where he will undoubtedly be motivated to play against his former team, from which he'd demanded a trade. Baertschi was acquired by the Canucks from the Flames at the NHL trading deadline for a second-round pick.
Calgary leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.