Baertschi making playoff debut in do-or-die game

Vancouver Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins talks about whether the injury to Alex Burrows affected the team’s play and whether Burrows will travel home with the team.

Sven is in.

Vancouver Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins told reporters that prospect Sven Baertschi will make his playoff debut Thursday night in a do-or-die Game 5.

The Canucks recalled the former Calgary Flames forward in advance of Tuesday’s Game 4 versus his old team but went with Linden Vey instead.

Desjardins confirmed that injured forward Alex Burrows will not return to the series, but did not name his Game 5 starting goaltender.

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Baertschi, 22, has appeared in just three games with the Canucks this season, scoring two goals (2-0-2) and registering four penalty minutes.

“He’s got real good skill, he’s a good skilled played, has good speed and a real good shot,” coach Willie Desjardins told reporters. “He’s a guy that can break open a game.”

The Swiss forward was recalled from AHL Utica, where he has put up 15 points in 15 games.

Vancouver’s struggling offence has averaged just two goals per game through four contests versus Calgary in this opening round and needs a scoring boost.

Prior to joining Utica, Baertschi played 15 games with the Flames this season, recording four assists and six penalty minutes.

Baertschi was selected by Calgary 13th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft but fell out of favour with the Flames and was dealt to Vancouver at the March trade deadline in exchange for Vancouver’s second-round pick in the 2015 draft.

The Canucks trail the Flames 3-1 in the series.

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