logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Scenes from morning skate: Blueger returns as Canucks look to snap losing skid vs. Capitals
alt
Photo credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Jeff Paterson
Jan 21, 2026, 15:02 EST
Comments
The Vancouver Canucks (16-28-5) welcome Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals (24-20-6) to Rogers Arena. Tonight’s game begins at 7pm PT. Tonight is the Canucks’ annual Pride Night at the rink, celebrating diversity and inclusivity in hockey.

What we saw

Teddy Blueger makes his long-awaited return to the Canucks lineup tonight. The veteran centre was injured in Washington on October 19th and has missed the last 43 games. He will centre a line with Conor Garland and Liam Öhgren tonight. Aatu Räty comes out of the lineup to make room for Blueger.
The Canucks will once again roll with their three young blueliners in uniform together. That means P-O Joseph will once again be a healthy scratch.
And Kevin Lankinen gets the start in goal. Lankinen allowed four goals on 33 shots in a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Monday. That extended the club’s losing streak to a franchise-record 11 games (0-9-2), with the past eight losses all in regulation time.
Max Sasson and Evander Kane each scored their second home ice goals of the season against the Isles on Monday. Sasson opened the scoring just 2:49 into the hockey game. It was the 11th time this year the Canucks have scored the game’s first goal in the first five minutes of play. The earliest the Canucks have opened the scoring this season was Elias Pettersson’s goal 59 seconds in against the Capitals in Washington.
The Canucks are looking for their first home ice win since December 6th against Minnesota. 

The Opponent

The Capitals arrive here following a 5-2 loss in Colorado on Monday afternoon. It was a game in which Washington was outshot 44-24 including 17-3 in the third period. Jakob Chychrun and Ethan Frank scored the Capitals’ goals while Charlie Lindgren made 39 saves. 
Washington has dropped three straight and four of its last five. The Caps have been held to two goals in regulation time in each of their last five outings. The Capitals are 10-10-3 on the road and start the day three points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Tom Wilson leads Washington in both goals (22) and points (42), He’s missed the last nine games with a lower body injury, but looks like he will return tonight. Alex Ovechkin had an assist in Denver and has matched Wilson’s 42-point output for a share of the team lead. The greatest goal scorer in NHL history has 20 goals on the season marking all 21 of his NHL seasons in which the 40-year-old has reached the 20-goal mark. In 29 career games against the Canucks, Ovechkin has 16 goals and 27 points.
With 18 goals, Jakob Chychrun shares the league-lead with Zack Werenski for goals by a defenceman this season. He’s two away from tying his career-high set last season.
Former Vancouver Giant Justin Sourdif is having a breakout season after being acquired by Washington from Florida last summer. The Richmond native has nine goals and 10 assists in 46 games. 
After backing up on Monday, Canadian Olympian Logan Thompson will get the start in goal tonight. Thompson is 17-14-4 with a 2.38 GAA and a .914 save percentage.

News and notes

The Canucks held one of only two 4-0 leads this season in a 4-3 win at Washington on October 19th. That was the team’s third consecutive victory and moved the Canucks early season record to 4-2. It was also the game that saw Filip Chytil, Teddy Blueger and Jonathan Lekkerimaki leave with significant injuries.
These teams are fourth and fifth in the NHL in terms of points from rookies this season. The Caps have 48 while the Canucks are tied with Anaheim with 46.
The referees for tonight’s game are TJ Luxmore and Riley Brace.

What we heard

Adam Foote on getting Teddy Blueger back from injury: “Yeah, it’s always nice to see a guy like that come back. He seems like he’s got the zip. And even his demeanour this time, compared to last time, there’s definitely no doubt he thinks he’s ready. It’s nice to see him smiling out there.”
Adam Foote on veterans responding to his pointed postgame comments after Monday’s loss: “It’s not just the vets, it’s all of them. They’re going to respond. They’ve been playing hard. One mistake can’t throw us off. Tonight. Just go out and play and control what we can control.”
Don’t forget to join Rink Wide Vancouver for full postgame coverage after this game – and every game. The livestream starts moments after the final buzzer. Rink Wide is the place for full postgame analysis and discussion. Contribute to the live YouTube conversation with your thoughts on the game and support our charity partner – the BC Mental Health Foundation – with a Superchat. 

READ NEXT: Foote’s postgame remarks rightly cast doubt that Canucks have proper group of veterans to lead team into next era

Sponsored by bet365

Editorials

Breaking News