Vancouver Canucks News

The Canucks are in a miserable 2-6-2 stretch and find themselves in last place in the NHL, hoping to return to the win column on Friday with Lankinen tending the twine against the Utah Mammoth. The 32-year-old Lankinen has strung together consecutive quality starts, saving 49 of 54 combined shots (.907 SV%), but has not been able to record a victory, going 0-1-1. The Canucks enter Friday's contest as +111 home underdogs against a Mammoth team going off a massive 7-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

The Canucks are in a miserable 2-6-2 stretch and find themselves in last place in the NHL, hoping to return to the win column on Friday with Lankinen tending the twine against the Utah Mammoth. The 32-year-old Lankinen has strung together consecutive quality starts, saving 49 of 54 combined shots (.907 SV%), but has not been able to record a victory, going 0-1-1. The Canucks enter Friday's contest as +111 home underdogs against a Mammoth team going off a massive 7-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

Demko has not played since November 11th and was originally given a two-to-three-week recovery timeline. If he returns to action next Thursday, it will mark over four weeks, but it would still be encouraging considering Demko's injury history and the concerns that follow him. The 29-year-old Demko has a 2.80 GAA and .903 SV% in 10 games (5-4-0) and will likely be eased into action upon his return.

Injuries in Vancouver's crease over the past few weeks unexpectedly thrust Tolopilo into the spotlight, posting a 3.56 GAA and .892 SV% in two games (1-1-0). The undrafted 25-year-old goalie returns from the AHL, where he has a 3.35 GAA and .901 SV% in five games (1-3-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Through 24 games this season, the 21-year Pettersson has seen sheltered minutes while predominantly playing on the Canucks' third defensive pair. He was reassigned to Abbotsford (AHL) earlier this week but quickly recalled on Thurdsay.

The Senators have been liberal with their goalie rotation over the past two weeks, and will turn to Merilainen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Merilainen allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his most recent game, a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues, and has battled consistency issues this season. He has a 3.40 GAA and .874 SV% in six games (3-3-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -128 home favorites against a Rangers team coming off an impressive 3-2 overtime win over the Dallas Stars.

The Senators have been liberal with their goalie rotation over the past two weeks, and will turn to Merilainen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Merilainen allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his most recent game, a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues, and has battled consistency issues this season. He has a 3.40 GAA and .874 SV% in six games (3-3-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -128 home favorites against a Rangers team coming off an impressive 3-2 overtime win over the Dallas Stars.

Injuries in Vancouver's crease over the past few weeks unexpectedly thrust Tolopilo into the spotlight, posting a 3.56 GAA and .892 SV% in two games (1-1-0). The undrafted 25-year-old goalie returns to the AHL, where he has a 3.35 GAA and .901 SV% in five games (1-3-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Through 24 games this season, the 24-year Pettersson saw sheltered minutes while predominantly playing on the Canucks' third defensive pair. The 21-year-old defenseman will look to see increased deployment in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Elias Salomonsson and Neal Pionk (lower body) will return to the Jets' blueline on Wednesday against the Canadiens, resulting in Luke Schenn and Colin Miller being healthy scratches. The 36-year-old Schenn is averaging 13:57 time-on-ice, nearly four minutes less than he was last season. He has 41 hits, 24 blocks, and four assists in 18 games this season.

The Canucks have lost two straight and are eager to return to the win column, but will be hard-pressed for a victory on Tuesday against a Colorado Avalanche team that has outscored their opposition 53-19 in their last 11 games (10-0-1). Kevin Lankinen will tend the twine on Tuesday, looking to improve an ugly 3.50 GAA and .881 SV% through 14 games this season (4-7-3). He played well in his most recent outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss. The Canucks enter the contest as huge +287 road underdogs.

The Canucks have lost two straight and are eager to return to the win column, but will be hard-pressed for a victory on Tuesday against a Colorado Avalanche team that has outscored their opposition 53-19 in their last 11 games (10-0-1). Kevin Lankinen will tend the twine on Tuesday, looking to improve an ugly 3.50 GAA and .881 SV% through 14 games this season (4-7-3). He played well in his most recent outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss. The Canucks enter the contest as huge +287 road underdogs.

Thomas was a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft but has been unable to make the jump into being a full-time NHLer. The 25-year-old forward scored three points (1G / 2A) while playing a career-high 25 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season.

The recent goalie carousel in Vancouver continues, with Tolopilo leaving the team to tend to the birth of his child. The 25-year-old goalie has a 3.56 GAA and .892 SV% in two games this season (1-1-0).