Despite all optimism to the contrary, Sami Salowon’t be suiting up for tonight’s game 4 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Vancouver defenseman Sami Salo did not participate in the Canucks afternoon skate at United Center and was declared “out” by coach Alain Vigneault.

So, Ossi Vaananen returns. Incidentally, Salo’s explanation of his injury has been my favorite so far. Classic. (In related news, Vaananen is peeing just fine. Well, it doesn’t appear to be affecting his play, anyway.)

One more thing—assistant coach Ryan Walter provided this quote to Canadian Christianity.com today:

There is a “new intensity” in the playoffs, says Walter, “and it comes from an interesting place—a feeling that the end is near.” It would probably be very difficult to play at that level of intensity for a full 82-game season, he says. In that sense, hockey playoffs are like the last two minutes of a football game, when points are scored at four times the usual rate.

It’s a good comparison, though I wonder if I should worry when such a devoted Christian as Walter says things like “the end is near.” :)