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Vancouver Canucks News

Lankinen will start in Vegas on Thursday.

The Canucks will turn to Lankinen between the pipes on Thursday after Thatcher Demko got the starting nod in each of their last three games. Lankinen was phenomenal in his last appearance, stopping all 27 shots he faced in a 4-0 shutout victory over the Panthers on December 12th. The 29-year-old netminder has performed well seemingly whenever he's been called upon this season, but his playing time is likely going to continue to be limited with a healthy Demko back in the picture.

Kevin Lankinen
Sasson will be a healthy scratch in Vegas on Thursday.

Sasson will take a seat along with Nils Hoglander on Thursday as the Canucks opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Their absences will allow Phil Di Giuseppe and Linus Karlsson to make their season debuts.

Max Sasson
Demko will start in Utah on Wednesday.

Demko was excellent in his last outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, and will return to the crease for the fourth time in five games. Before Monday's win over Colorado, Demko had battled some adversity in his first two games (0-1-1) since returning from injury, allowing nine goals on 53 shots (.830 SV%). Vancouver enters Wednesday's contest as +111 road underdogs against a Utah team riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1).

Thatcher Demko
Demko is in the starter's crease at Vancouver's morning skate.

Demko was excellent in his last outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, and will return to the crease for the fourth time in five games. Before Monday's win over Colorado, Demko had battled some adversity in his first two games (0-1-1) since returning from injury, allowing nine goals on 53 shots (.830 SV%). Vancouver enters Wednesday's contest as +111 road underdogs against a Utah team riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1).

Thatcher Demko
Demko will start vs. Colorado on Monday.

The Canucks will turn to Demko for his third start this season. The 29-year-old Demko has struggled since making his debut last week, returning from a lower-body injury, allowing four or more goals in both games, posting a 4.47 GAA and .830 SV% in two contests (0-1-1). The Canucks enter Monday's contest as +134 home underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche club that has won four of their last five (4-1-0).

Thatcher Demko
Demko was the first goalie off the ice at Vancouver's morning skate.

The Canucks will likely turn to Demko for his third start this season. The 29-year-old Demko has struggled since making his debut last week, returning from a lower-body injury, allowing four or more goals in both games, posting a 4.47 GAA and .830 SV% in two contests (0-1-1). The Canucks enter Monday's contest as +134 home underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche club that has won four of their last five (4-1-0).

Thatcher Demko
Lankinen will start vs. Florida on Thursday.

Thatcher Demko (lower body) made his long-awaited season debut in a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, but the Canucks will revert to Lankinen between the pipes on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. Lankinen has been solid tending the twice for the Canucks this season, posting a 2.65 GAA and .908 SV% in 20 games (13-4-3), and will likely continue seeing a reasonable workload as Demko acclimates pack to game speed. The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +153 home underdogs against a Panthers club riding a three-game winning streak.

Kevin Lankinen
Lankinen is in the starter's crease at Vancouver's morning skate.

Thatcher Demko (lower body) made his long-awaited season debut in a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, but the Canucks will revert to Lankinen between the pipes on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. Lankinen has been solid tending the twice for the Canucks this season, posting a 2.65 GAA and .908 SV% in 20 games (13-4-3), and will likely continue seeing a reasonable workload as Demko acclimates pack to game speed. The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +153 home underdogs against a Panthers club riding a three-game winning streak.

Kevin Lankinen
Demko will make his first start of the season on Tuesday vs. St. Louis.

Demko has not played yet this season due to a knee injury but will debut on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. The 28-year-old Demko was tremendous for the Canucks last season, posting a career-best 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% in 51 games (35-14-2). Given the strong play of Kevin Lankinen in Demko's absence, Lankinen will likely continue to see a moderate workload while Demko acclimates back to game speed. The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as -169 home favorites against the Blues.

Thatcher Demko