Vancouver Canucks News

The Canucks are allowing an alarming league-worst 5.0 goals per game through seven games this season (2-5-0). That said, Merilainen has been serviceable when called upon, greatly outdueling counterpart Kevin Lankinen. The 24-year-old Merilainen saved 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) in his previous outing, a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. He has a 2.18 GAA and .929 SV% in four appearances this season (2-1-0). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as significant +191 road underdogs against a New York Islanders team coming off a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Vancouver's stoutest defensive outing of the season came with Leevi Merilainen between the pipes in a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames. Still, the Canucks will turn to Lankinen on Thursday for his fourth start in five games. The 31-year-old Lankinen is coming off his best outing of the season, but he still struggled, allowing three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Lankinen has an ugly 6.50 GAA and .824 SV% in three games (1-2-0). The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as significant +290 road underdogs against a 2-1-1 Carolina Hurricanes team.

Victor Mancini will draw into Vancouver's lineup on Thursday, sending Schenn to the press box as a healthy scratch. Schenn was regularly a healthy scratch last season while splitting time between Buffalo and Winnipeg, but will sit for the first time this season in game five.

Luke Schenn will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Mancini to suit up for his season debut. The 24-year-old Mancini played 24 games with the Canucks last season, averaging 13:44 time-on-ice and tallying three assists.

DeBrusk did not play in Vancouver's previous game because of an illness, but he returned to practice Tuesday, and should play on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 29-year-old DeBrusk is averaging 15:36 of ice time and has one assist in two games this season. He is expected to be relied upon heavily in Vancouver's top six this season.

Jake DeBrusk (illness) will return to the lineup on Thursday, sending Gallagher to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old Gallagher is averaging 9:56 time-on-ice and has zero points in four games this season.

Vancouver's stoutest defensive outing of the season came with Leevi Merilainen between the pipes in a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames. Still, the Canucks will turn to Lankinen on Thursday for his fourth start in five games. The 31-year-old Lankinen is coming off his best outing of the season, but he still struggled, allowing three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Lankinen has an ugly 6.50 GAA and .824 SV% in three games (1-2-0). The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as significant +290 road underdogs against a 2-1-1 Carolina Hurricanes team.

DeBrusk did not play in Vancouver's previous game because of an illness, but he returned to practice Tuesday, suggesting he should be ready to play when the team returns to action Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 29-year-old DeBrusk is averaging 15:36 of ice time and has one assist in two games this season. He is expected to be relied upon heavily in Vancouver's top six this season.

With Vancouver on a back-to-back, Kevin Lankinen will start on Sunday as the Canucks host Vegas. The 31-year-old has had a horrendous start to his 2026-27 season despite his 1-1-0 record, evident by his 8.66 GAA and .789 SV%. He will look to bounce back on Sunday vs. a tough matchup in Vegas, who is 1-1-0 and averaging 4.0 goals per game.