Vancouver Canucks Player News

Demko has not played since November 11th and was originally given a two-to-three-week recovery timeline. If he returns to action next Thursday, it will mark over four weeks, but it would still be encouraging considering Demko's injury history and the concerns that follow him. The 29-year-old Demko has a 2.80 GAA and .903 SV% in 10 games (5-4-0) and will likely be eased into action upon his return.

Injuries in Vancouver's crease over the past few weeks unexpectedly thrust Tolopilo into the spotlight, posting a 3.56 GAA and .892 SV% in two games (1-1-0). The undrafted 25-year-old goalie returns from the AHL, where he has a 3.35 GAA and .901 SV% in five games (1-3-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Through 24 games this season, the 21-year Pettersson has seen sheltered minutes while predominantly playing on the Canucks' third defensive pair. He was reassigned to Abbotsford (AHL) earlier this week but quickly recalled on Thurdsay.

The Senators have been liberal with their goalie rotation over the past two weeks, and will turn to Merilainen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Merilainen allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his most recent game, a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues, and has battled consistency issues this season. He has a 3.40 GAA and .874 SV% in six games (3-3-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -128 home favorites against a Rangers team coming off an impressive 3-2 overtime win over the Dallas Stars.

The Senators have been liberal with their goalie rotation over the past two weeks, and will turn to Merilainen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Merilainen allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his most recent game, a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues, and has battled consistency issues this season. He has a 3.40 GAA and .874 SV% in six games (3-3-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -128 home favorites against a Rangers team coming off an impressive 3-2 overtime win over the Dallas Stars.

Injuries in Vancouver's crease over the past few weeks unexpectedly thrust Tolopilo into the spotlight, posting a 3.56 GAA and .892 SV% in two games (1-1-0). The undrafted 25-year-old goalie returns to the AHL, where he has a 3.35 GAA and .901 SV% in five games (1-3-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Through 24 games this season, the 24-year Pettersson saw sheltered minutes while predominantly playing on the Canucks' third defensive pair. The 21-year-old defenseman will look to see increased deployment in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Elias Salomonsson and Neal Pionk (lower body) will return to the Jets' blueline on Wednesday against the Canadiens, resulting in Luke Schenn and Colin Miller being healthy scratches. The 36-year-old Schenn is averaging 13:57 time-on-ice, nearly four minutes less than he was last season. He has 41 hits, 24 blocks, and four assists in 18 games this season.

The Canucks have lost two straight and are eager to return to the win column, but will be hard-pressed for a victory on Tuesday against a Colorado Avalanche team that has outscored their opposition 53-19 in their last 11 games (10-0-1). Kevin Lankinen will tend the twine on Tuesday, looking to improve an ugly 3.50 GAA and .881 SV% through 14 games this season (4-7-3). He played well in his most recent outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss. The Canucks enter the contest as huge +287 road underdogs.

The Canucks have lost two straight and are eager to return to the win column, but will be hard-pressed for a victory on Tuesday against a Colorado Avalanche team that has outscored their opposition 53-19 in their last 11 games (10-0-1). Kevin Lankinen will tend the twine on Tuesday, looking to improve an ugly 3.50 GAA and .881 SV% through 14 games this season (4-7-3). He played well in his most recent outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss. The Canucks enter the contest as huge +287 road underdogs.

Thomas was a second-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft but has been unable to make the jump into being a full-time NHLer. The 25-year-old forward scored three points (1G / 2A) while playing a career-high 25 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season.

The recent goalie carousel in Vancouver continues, with Tolopilo leaving the team to tend to the birth of his child. The 25-year-old goalie has a 3.56 GAA and .892 SV% in two games this season (1-1-0).

Tolopilo was solid in his season debut in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks, saving 37 of 41 shots (.902 SV%), and has earned himself another start on Friday against the San Jose Sharks. Tolopilo made his NHL debut last season, playing two games (1-1-0) with the Canucks and posting a 2.15 GAA and .885 SV%. He has a 3.35 GAA and .901 SV% in five games (1-3-1) with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL).

The Senators are off to a solid 12-7-4 start to the season, largely without the services of Brady Tkachuk, but he will return from an injury on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Merilainen will tend the twine, looking to rebound after a 2-1 loss in his most recent performance when he saved 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%). The 23-year-old netminder has a 3.25 GAA and .875 SV% in five games (3-2-0). The Senators enter the action as -114 road favorites against the Blues.

Lankinen has been Vancouver's de facto starting netminder with Thatcher Demko (lower body) sidelined, but he will not be an option for the team on their upcoming road trip. Demko is travelling with the team but it's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. Assuming Demko is unable to return, the Canucks crease will belong to Jiri Patera and Nikita Tolopilo until Lankinen returns.