The Abbotsford Canucks are back home at the Rogers Forum to kick off a four-game homestand.

First up are the San Jose Barracuda, who arrive riding a four-game winning streak. On the strength of a 7–2–0–1 run over their last ten games, the San Jose Sharks’ affiliate has climbed to fourth place in the Pacific Division and enters the weekend playing some of its best hockey of the season.

Abbotsford, meanwhile, returns home still searching for traction. Losers of three straight, the Canucks continue to battle through an uneven 2025–26 campaign. With a 26–15–25–3 record, they currently sit at the bottom of the Pacific Division, ten points outside a playoff position.

The season series has been competitive, despite the standings gap. Abbotsford holds a 1–2–1 record against San Jose, with three of the four meetings decided by two goals or fewer. The Barracuda own a narrow 12–10 edge in goals in those three meetings. That margin excludes a lopsided 7–0 San Jose win in the opening matchup.

On a positive note, there may be some reinforcements on the way for the home side. With the NHL on its Olympic break, Abbotsford is expected to welcome back forward Jonathan Lekkerimäki, defenceman Victor Mancini, and goaltender Nikita Tolopilo.

Lekkerimäki enters the weekend riding a four-game AHL point streak, with goals in three of his last four outings. In just ten games, he leads the team in goals with 10 and ranks fifth in scoring with 16 points.

On the injury front, defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev — originally named to represent the club at the AHL All-Star event — was replaced by forward Ben Berard, suggesting he may not be ready to return this weekend. Kudryavtsev has missed 13 consecutive games with an undisclosed injury.

Forward Vilmer Alriksson also remains a question mark after missing the final game of the team’s recent road trip. According to the visiting broadcast in Bakersfield, he was seen walking with his arm in a sling following a hit along the boards.

As is often the case in the AHL, Abbotsford is expected to rotate its goaltenders. Nikita Tolopilo (5–5–3, 2.94 GAA, .901 SV%) and Aku Koskenvuo (2–5–1, 3.20 GAA, .895 SV%) are projected to split the two-game set.

Special teams could prove large in this series. Discipline will be critical for Abbotsford, which enters the weekend with the league’s lowest penalty-kill percentage at 75.0%. That task becomes even more difficult against a San Jose power play clicking at 24.7%, the second-best mark in the AHL.

Limiting time shorthanded will go a long way in determining whether Abbotsford can halt San Jose’s momentum.

Game one goes Friday night with puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. PT, followed by a Saturday rematch at 4:00 p.m. PT.

After the weekend, the Canucks will enjoy a full week off before returning to action against the Ontario Reign on February 14 and 16.