Pettersson has not played since December 23rd but could return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old Pettersson has had an off season after back-to-back point-per-game campaigns, scoring 28 points (10G / 18A) through 34 contests this season. He has been held off the scoresheet in six of his last seven outings.
Thatcher Demko (back) is nearing a return but remains out of the lineup on Wednesday, leaving the crease to Lankinen. The 29-year-old Lankinen has a 2.63 GAA and .904 SV% in 27 games this season (15-7-5). After starting the season with a .912 SV% in his first 21 games (14-4-3), Lankinen has fallen off significantly, posting an ugly .865 SV% in six games since (1-3-2). The Canucks enter Wednesday's contest as +161 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals squad coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Chytil suffered the injury in the second period of Tuesday's game and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of the Rangers' game against the Devils on Thursday.
With Thatcher Demko sidelined due to back spasms, Lankinen will get the nod when the Canucks travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens on Monday. Lankinen played well in a losing effort his last time out, allowing just a single goal on 17 shots as the Predators tacked on a couple of empty netters to secure a 3-0 victory over the Canucks on Friday. Lankinen has performed well in Demko's absence this season, posting a .908 SV% and a 15-7-4 record across 26 appearances. He and the Canucks enter action on Monday night as slight favourites at -130 on the money line.
Demko exited Thursday's game against Seattle and has been sidelined since. Head coach Rick Tocchet said that Demko had "some back spasms, so I dont think it's serious." Tocchet added that it "could be a day or two" but back spasms are unpredictable. Kevin Lankinen will likely see the majority of action between the pipes while Demko is unavailable.
Pettersson has not played since December 23rd but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup after skating at practice on Monday. The 26-year-old Pettersson has had an off season after back-to-back point-per-game campaigns, scoring 28 points (10G / 18A) through 34 contests this season. He has been held off the scoresheet in six of his last seven outings.
Demko exited Thursday's game against Seattle and has been sidelined since. Head coach Rick Tocchet said that Demko had "some back spasms, so I dont think it's serious." Tocchet added that it "could be a day or two" but back spasms are unpredictable. Kevin Lankinen will likely see the majority of action between the pipes while Demko is unavailable.
With Dakota Joshua (leg) being placed on Injured Reserve, Vancouver has recalled Lekkerimaki from Abbotsford (AHL). The 20-year-old Lekkerimaki made his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring one point (1G / 0A) in five games with Vancouver. He has 17 points (12G / 5A) in 21 games with Abbotsford this season.
The move was made retroactive to December 23rd, so this doesn't actually suggest Pettersson is expected to be out any longer than the team previously announced when they said he was expected to miss at least seven days back on December 29th. The Canucks also called up goaltender Artus Silovs in a corresponding move as Thatcher Demko is unavailable for Friday's game due to a back injury.
Lankinen entered yesterday's 4-3 win over the Seattle Kraken in relief of Thatcher Demko (back), saving 13 of 15 shots (.867 SV%). He will return to the crease on Friday against the Nashville Predators, his former club. The 29-year-old Lankinen has a 2.60 GAA and .907 SV% in 25 games this season (15-6-4). The Canucks enter Friday's contest as +154 home underdogs against a Predators club amid a three-game losing skid.
Head coach Rick Tocchet said that Demko had "some back spasms, so I dont think it's serious." Tocchet added that it "could be a day or two" but back spasms are unpredictable. The Canucks have another game on Friday, so expect a goalie to be recalled from the AHL to backup Kevin Lankinen.
Brisebois will make his season debut on Thursday as Erik Brannstrom draws out of the lineup. Brisebois has not played an NHL game since the 2022-23 season, when he logged one goal and two assist across 17 games.
The Canucks have lost five of their last six and will turn to Demko between the pipes for their first game of 2025. Demko struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Seattle Kraken. He has a 3.43 GAA and .879 SV% in six games this season (2-1-3). The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as slight +107 road underdogs in a rematch against the Kraken.
The Canucks have lost five of their last six and will turn to Demko between the pipes for their first game of 2025. Demko struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Seattle Kraken. He has a 3.43 GAA and .879 SV% in six games this season (2-1-3). The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as slight +107 road underdogs in a rematch against the Kraken.
The Senators will turn to Merilainen between the pipes for the fourth time in their last five games. The 22-year-old netminder was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. He has a 2.68 GAA and .900 SV% in three games this season (2-1-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as +158 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club outscoring their opposition 9-3 during a two-game winning streak.
The Senators will likely turn to Merilainen between the pipes for the fourth time in their last five games. The 22-year-old netminder was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. He has a 2.68 GAA and .900 SV% in three games this season (2-1-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as +158 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club outscoring their opposition 9-3 during a two-game winning streak.
Lankinen has only played two of the last seven games for the Canucks but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. The 29-year-old Lankinen has a respectable 2.61 GAA and .907 SV% in 23 games (14-5-4) but has allowed seven goals on the last 42 shots he's faced (.833 SV%) across two games (0-1-1). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as +118 road underdogs against a Flames club coming off a 3-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
