The Canucks are desperate to snap a free-falling 11-game losing streak (0-9-2) and will continue to rely on Lankien to help them get back into the win column. The 30-year-old Lankinen has a 3.23 GAA and .890 SV% during the team's winless skid, with a 0-5-1 record. The Canucks enter the action on Wednesday as +145 home underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has been outscored 13-6 during a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).
James Reimer was serviceable in his Ottawa debut on Sunday, evidently giving the team enough trust in him to send Merilainen down to Belleville (AHL). The 23-year-old Merilainen has had a terrible season in Ottawa, which has been even worse since Linus Ullmark (personal) has been away from the team, posting a dreadful 3.27 GAA and .843 SV% in 10 games (4-5-1).
Mancini will take a seat on Monday as Elias Nils Pettersson draws back into the lineup. Mancini has played in nine games this season and is yet to register a point.
Pettersson will play for the first time since January 10th after serving as a healthy scratch in each of the last four games. Victor Mancini will sit in his place.
The Canucks are in last place, amid a miserably 10-game losing streak (0-8-2), and will hope for a strong performance from Lankinen to get them back into the win column. Despite the recent skid, Lankinen has been serviceable between the pipes, but the team has given him little to no scoring support on most nights. He has a 3.03 GAA and .905 SV% in his last seven games (2-4-1). The Canucks enter Monday's contest as +125 home underdogs against the New York Islanders, who have lost three of their last five games (2-2-1).
Clayton is an undrafted defenseman that has never played an NHL game and will likely be an organizational depth blueliner for Vancouver, playing in Abbotsford (AHL). The 25-year-old Clayton had five points (2G / 3A) in 33 games with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) before the trade.
Quillan is an undrafted forward who played three games with the Maple Leafs earlier this season. That said, the 23-year-old Quillan has spent most of the season with the Marlies (AHL), where he has excelled, with 27 points (8G / 19A) in 28 games.
Lankinen was excellent in Vancouver's most recent game, arguably his best outing of the season, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%), but the team's struggles continued, falling short in a 2-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Despite a 2-3-1 record, the 30-year-old Lankinen has had some strong outings in recent weeks, posting a 2.82 GAA and .909 SV% in his last six games. The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +140 road underdogs against a Columbus Blue Jackets team on a two-game winning streak.
Lankinen was excellent in Vancouver's most recent game, arguably his best outing of the season, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%), but the team's struggles continued, falling short in a 2-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Despite a 2-3-1 record, the 30-year-old Lankinen has had some strong outings in recent weeks, posting a 2.82 GAA and .909 SV% in his last six games. The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +140 road underdogs against a Columbus Blue Jackets team on a two-game winning streak.
Even on the tail-end of a back-to-back, the Sens opt against giving James Reimer his team debut and instead will hand Merilainen his second start in as many nights. Merilainen was sharp in Tuesday's win over the Canucks, stopping 19 of the 20 shots he faced enroute to the 2-1 victory. The 23-year-old netminder has been inconsistent at best when called upon this season, posting a 7-10-0 record and an .870 SV% across 18 appearances. The Senators enter action on Wednesday at -115 on the money line.
Buium will draw right back into the lineup after getting a night off on Monday. Tom Willander will sit in his place.
