Vancouver Canucks News

Tolopilo was solid in his season debut in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks, saving 37 of 41 shots (.902 SV%), and has earned himself another start on Friday against the San Jose Sharks. Tolopilo made his NHL debut last season, playing two games (1-1-0) with the Canucks and posting a 2.15 GAA and .885 SV%. He has a 3.35 GAA and .901 SV% in five games (1-3-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL).

The Senators are off to a solid 12-7-4 start to the season, largely without the services of Brady Tkachuk, but he will return from an injury on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Merilainen will tend the twine, looking to rebound after a 2-1 loss in his most recent performance when he saved 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%). The 23-year-old netminder has a 3.25 GAA and .875 SV% in five games (3-2-0). The Senators enter the action as -114 road favorites against the Blues.

Lankinen has been Vancouver's de facto starting netminder with Thatcher Demko (lower body) sidelined, but he will not be an option for the team on their upcoming road trip. Demko is travelling with the team but it's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. Assuming Demko is unable to return, the Canucks crease will belong to Jiri Patera and Nikita Tolopilo until Lankinen returns.

With Kevin Lankinen (personal) away from the team and Thatcher Demko (lower body) still sidelined, Tolopilo will draw into the Canucks' crease for his first start of the season on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Tolopilo made his NHL debut last season, playing two games (1-1-0) with the Canucks and posting a 2.15 GAA and .885 SV%. He has a 3.35 GAA and .901 SV% in five games (1-3-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL). The Canucks enter Wednesday's contest as +135 road underdogs against a Ducks team that is 8-2-0 at home this season.

Arshdeep Bains will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks, sending MacEachern back to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old MacEachern has only played eight games this season, but has been a regular the past two weeks, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in five games.

Bains has not played in the last two weeks, but he will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks, replacing MacKenzie MacEachern. The 24-year-old Bains has three assists in 18 games this season.

Quillan made his NHL debut last season, playing one game with the Maple Leafs, but has predominantly played at the AHL level. The undrafted 23-year-old forward has impressed with the Marlies (AHL) this season, scoring 14 points (2G / 12A) in 14 games.

Lankinen has been Vancouver's de facto starting netminder with Thatcher Demko (lower body) sidelined, but he will not be an option for the team on their upcoming road trip. Demko is travelling with the team but it's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup, potentially leaving the Canucks' crease to Jiri Patera and Nikita Tolopilo.

MacEachern was effective in a limited role with Vancouver this season, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in eight games, but will return to Abbotsford (AHL). The 31-year-old forward scored 32 points (12G / 20A) in 40 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) last season.

Given Demko's injury history over the past few seasons, there is always extra concern when he is sidelined, but he appears to be on track with his original two-to-three week timeline and could return to the lineup as early as this week. Kevin Lankinen has showcased mixed results for the Canucks, who will be eagerly awaiting the return of their number-one netminder.

Tolopilo made his NHL debut last season, playing two games (1-1-0) with the Canucks and posting a 2.15 GAA and .885 SV%. He has a 3.35 GAA and .901 SV% in five games (1-3-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL). He will likely serve almost exclusively as the backup to Kevin Lankinen in Vancouver. Jiri Patera was loaned to Abbotsford in a corresponding move.

The Senators have won two straight and will turn to Merilainen between the pipes on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 23-year-old Merilainen allowed three goals on 18 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent game, but still recorded a 5-3 victory over the Boston Bruins. He has a 3.53 GAA and .868 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Senators enter the action on Monday as +133 road underdogs against a Kings team that has scored only six goals in its last four games (1-1-2).