The Vancouver Canucks have announced that winger Kiefer Sherwood has left Thursday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers with an undisclosed issue. Sherwood last had a shift midway through the second period of the game,

Kiefer Sherwood left early during the second period with an assumed injury. His last shift ended with 11:38 left in the middle frame and he finished with two penalty minutes.

Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood donned a sleek black outfit and new hairstyle as he arrived at Rogers Place for the Thursday night matchup with the Edmonton Oilers.

The team announced at the start of the third period, while down 5-2 to the Oilers, that forward Kiefer Sherwood would miss the remainder of the game.

The energy forward was part of last year’s Nashville Predators team, which turned their season around. On February 15, they sat 22nd in the league standings, five points out of the last playoff spot. The poor play caused their team trip to see U2 at the Sphere in Las Vegas to be cancelled, which proved to be a catalyst for the better.

In a marquee rematch against the Oilers, the Canucks didn't start to find their legs until they were down by five goals.

The goal was Sherwood's first since the holiday break -- he has just two points over his last eight contests. The winger has been bumped down to the third line, but he led all Vancouver forwards with 17:38 of ice time Saturday. He's now at 13 goals, 21 points, 83 shots on net 249 hits and a plus-4 rating through 42 appearances.

Kevin Lankinen made 20 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and the seventh of his career, Quinn Hughes had a goal and an assist, and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0.

Thursday, 6 p.m., Rogers Place TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650 The buzz: Conor Garland is a fan favourite in Vancouver and in the crosshairs of considerable vitriol in Edmonton. The mighty-mite winger will garner considerable consideration as the Canucks’ unsung hero at the end of this trying and tumultuous season.

If the Canucks can’t come together and get engaged mentally and physically to battle the Oilers, then there is really no hope for them.

The team led 2–1 after two periods, but couldn’t hold on to secure the win.

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin met with the media on Monday to discuss assorted topics midway through the season. Allvin began the media availability by giving his thoughts on where the organization is at 45 games into the season.