Kudryavtsev was a seventh-round pick, 208th overall, of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old defenseman been solid in the AHL, his first professional season, scoring 26 points (5G / 21A) in 63 games with the Abbotsford Canucks.
The Canucks are officially eliminated from the playoffs and will have Lankinen tending the twine on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. Lankinen played well in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 35 shots (.914 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old goalie has a 2.67 GAA and .899 SV% in 48 games this season (24-15-9). The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +186 road favorites against an Avalanche team that will be without Nathan MacKinnon (undisclosed).
The Canucks playoff hopes are dwindling quickly, but they'll keep hope alive on Tuesday with Demko tending the twine against the Dallas Stars. Demko was solid in his most recent outing, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The 29-year-old Demko has a 2.86 GAA and .891 SV% through 22 games this season (9-8-3). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as +172 road underdogs against a Stars team amid a two-game losing skid (0-1-1).
Lekkerimaki made his NHL debut this season, scoring six points (3G / 3A) in 24 games with Vancouver, but will return to the AHL. The 20-year-old forward has 28 points (19G / 9A) in 32 games with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL).
