Vancouver Canucks News

The Canucks will turn to Lankinen between the pipes on Thursday after Thatcher Demko got the starting nod in each of their last three games. Lankinen was phenomenal in his last appearance, stopping all 27 shots he faced in a 4-0 shutout victory over the Panthers on December 12th. The 29-year-old netminder has performed well seemingly whenever he's been called upon this season, but his playing time is likely going to continue to be limited with a healthy Demko back in the picture.

Hoglander will take a seat along with Max Sasson on Thursday as the Canucks opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Their absences will allow Phil Di Giuseppe and Linus Karlsson to make their season debuts.

Sasson will take a seat along with Nils Hoglander on Thursday as the Canucks opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Their absences will allow Phil Di Giuseppe and Linus Karlsson to make their season debuts.

Brannstrom will take a seat on Thursday in order to make way for Derek Forbort's return from an illness. Brannstrom has three goals and four assists in 26 games this season.

Forbort's return is a timely one as the team is eager to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Erik Brannstrom will sit in his place.

Karlsson will get the chance to make his season debut on Thursday as the Canucks opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Karlsson has four career NHL games under his belt and is yet to register a point.

Di Giuseppe is no stranger to the NHL, with 75 points (27G / 48A) in 282 career games but has not played a game yet this season. In four games with Abbotsford (AHL), the 31-year-old Di Giuseppe has yet to score a point.

Demko was excellent in his last outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, and will return to the crease for the fourth time in five games. Before Monday's win over Colorado, Demko had battled some adversity in his first two games (0-1-1) since returning from injury, allowing nine goals on 53 shots (.830 SV%). Vancouver enters Wednesday's contest as +111 road underdogs against a Utah team riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1).

Demko was excellent in his last outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, and will return to the crease for the fourth time in five games. Before Monday's win over Colorado, Demko had battled some adversity in his first two games (0-1-1) since returning from injury, allowing nine goals on 53 shots (.830 SV%). Vancouver enters Wednesday's contest as +111 road underdogs against a Utah team riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1).

Di Giuseppe is no stranger to the NHL, with 75 points (27G / 48A) in 282 career games but has not played a game yet this season. In four games with Abbotsford (AHL), the 31-year-old Di Giuseppe has yet to score a point.

Karlsson was a third-round pick, 87th overall, by the San Jose Sharks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut last season, playing four games with Vancouver. The 25-year-old has six points (5G / 1A) in seven games with Abbotsford (AHL) this season.

With Thatcher Demko rounding into form after returning from injury, the Canucks have opted to roll with him and Kevin Lankinen as their goaltending tandem, resulting in Silovs being assigned to Abbotsford (AHL). The 23-year-old Silovs has had a rocky 2024-25 campaign with the Canucks, posting a 4.11 GAA and .847 SV% in seven appearances (1-4-1).

Friedman was a healthy scratch on Monday and was reassigned to Abbotsford (AHL) on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Friedman has only played three games this season, averaging 15:08 time-on-ice and recording a -2 plus/minus rating.

Vincent Desharnais will draw back into the Canucks lineup on Monday, sending Friedman to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old Friedman has only played three games this season, averaging 15:08 time-on-ice and recording a -2 plus/minus rating.

Mark Friedman will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Desharnais to re-enter the lineup. The 28-year-old Desharnais is averaging 15:08 time-on-ice, recording two points (0G / 2A), 23 blocks, and 23 hits in 17 games.

The Canucks will turn to Demko for his third start this season. The 29-year-old Demko has struggled since making his debut last week, returning from a lower-body injury, allowing four or more goals in both games, posting a 4.47 GAA and .830 SV% in two contests (0-1-1). The Canucks enter Monday's contest as +134 home underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche club that has won four of their last five (4-1-0).

The Canucks will likely turn to Demko for his third start this season. The 29-year-old Demko has struggled since making his debut last week, returning from a lower-body injury, allowing four or more goals in both games, posting a 4.47 GAA and .830 SV% in two contests (0-1-1). The Canucks enter Monday's contest as +134 home underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche club that has won four of their last five (4-1-0).