Brendan Gallagher's situation with the Canucks takes an unexpected turn

The Vancouver Canucks open their six-game road trip in Raleigh tonight against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, and it looks like two of their veterans will be watching from the press box.

After the optional skate, Luke Schenn, Brendan Gallagher and Guillaume Brisebois were the last players left on the ice.

That's usually a solid hint about who's sitting once the puck drops, and Thomas Drance of The Athletic passed it along.

Vancouver comes in at 2-2 and Carolina sits at 2-1-1 after a 6-4 win in Montreal on Tuesday.

Puck drop is 7 p.m. ET.

Nothing here is a knock on their effort.

Schenn is the only Canuck who hasn't been on the ice for a goal against this season.

Still, his lack of mobility has shown up, with two interference penalties already, and speed is exactly what Carolina brings every night.

Gallagher hasn't recorded a point through four games, which makes him the only Canucks forward without one.

He's averaging just 9:56 of ice time.

Both were brought in for leadership, not to block the younger guys, and tonight the kids get the nod.

It will be the first time this season Schenn sits.

Victor Mancini is expected to make his season debut on defence, paired with Elias Pettersson.

Jake DeBrusk is healthy again and returns to the top line after missing two games with illness.

Aatu Räty should slide back in at fourth line centre, and Kevin Lankinen is expected to start in goal.

It won't be easy. Carolina has beaten Vancouver four straight times, including a 4-3 overtime win and a 6-4 win last season.

Nothing is official until warmups, but this one looks pretty clear.

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