logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Canucks Game Day: Goaltending decision looms ahead of visit from league-leading Avalanche
alt
Photo credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Jeff Paterson
Nov 9, 2025, 12:30 ESTUpdated: Nov 9, 2025, 22:17 EST
Comments
The Vancouver Canucks (8-8) return to action to complete a back-to-back weekend when they host the league-leading Colorado Avalanche (9-1-5) at Rogers Arena. The Canucks are coming off a 4-3 victory over Columbus last night, while the Avs were busy destroying Edmonton 9-1. 

What we know

With the quick turnaround, the Canucks did not host a morning skate. Adam Foote will meet the media at 4pm, so it will be closer to game time before the head coach reveals his lineup for tonight. General Manager Patrik Allvin said on After Hours following Saturday’s game that Thatcher Demko was a possibility to face the Avalanche. If Demko isn’t ready, the Canucks will have to decide whether to come right back with Kevin Lankinen, who made 29 saves in the win against the Blue Jackets, or turn to third stringer Jiri Patera. 
The Canucks are unlikely to make any line-up changes to their forward group. However, it’s possible P-O Joseph could draw in on defence after Elias Pettersson was shaken up on a hard hit that earned Matthieu Olivier a five minute major and a game misconduct. Pettersson left the game briefly, but did return.
Brock Boeser became the first Canuck with multiple game winners this season when he broke a 3-3 tie with 5:45 to play last night. Boeser has three goals in the past three games, has seven goals on the season and the team’s last two winning markers after scoring in overtime in Nashville last Monday.
Boeser, Jake DeBrusk, Drew O’Connor and Conor Garland had the Vancouver goals last night. O’Connor had a goal and an assist last night and has had three multi-point efforts in his last five games. 
After opening the season with a team-leading nine goals in 12 games, Kiefer Sherwood picked up his first assist of the season in his 16th game when he set up Boeser’s game winner last night. On the same play, Lukas Reichel recorded his first point in his eighth game with the Canucks after being acquired from Chicago two weeks ago.
Quinn Hughes had an assist and logged a team-high 27:22 last night. The Canucks captain leads the NHL averaging 26:49 per game.

The Opponent

The Avs became the first team in the NHL to score nine goals in a game this season last night in Edmonton. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Jack Drury and Parker Kelly each scored twice and Gavin Brindley had their other. MacKinnon also had two assists to give him 12 goals, 12 assists and a share of the NHL scoring lead with 24 points. He also leads the league with 67 shots on goal. 
Makar leads all NHL defencemen with six goals and his 20 points are seven more than any other blueliner. 
For all the team’s firepower, the Avs went 0 for seven on the power play against the Oilers and at 15% on the season, they rank 27th in the NHL with the man advantage. Quite remarkably, they are one for 28 (3.6%) in nine road games this season. Martin Necas has their lone road power play goal and it came on opening night in Los Angeles. Somehow, Necas, who has 18 points on the season, did not figure in any of the team’s nine goals last night.
Colorado sits second in the league in goals per game (3.93) and is the top team defensively averaging 2.40 goals against. The Avs have scored a league-best 59 goals and boast the NHL’s best goal differential at +21. The Avalanche is 4-0-1 in its last five games and during that time has had games in which it scored eight and nine goals.
Scott Wedgewood has been the busiest netminder in the league this season starting 13 of the team’s 15 games including last night. Mackenzie Blackwood is likely to make his second start of the season tonight against the Canucks. He is 0-0-1 after dropping a 3-2 shootout loss in San Jose on November 1st.

News and notes

The Canucks swept the Avalanche in their three-game season series outscoring them 10-2 last year. That included a 3-0 shutout victory and 3-1 win in the two games played in Vancouver. 
Canucks head coach Adam Foote won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche, served as team captain for two years (2009- 11) and had his No. 52 jersey number retired by the franchise. Canucks assistant coaches Scott Young (1995-97) and Brett McLean (2005-07) also played for the Avalanche.
For the second night in a row Kendrick Nicholson will officiate a Canucks game. He’ll be joined by Cody Beach tonight.
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. Join the live YouTube chat with your thoughts on the hockey game.
Sponsored by bet365

Editorials

Breaking News