Silovs being reassigned to Abbotsford (AHL) likely indicated that Thatcher Demko (back) is ready to return to Vancouver's lineup. Silovs began the season in Vancouver but has predominantly been in the AHL since Demko debuted. The 23-year-old Silovs has a 2.44 GAA and .900 SV% in five games with Abbottsford (AHL).

Forbort is battling an undisclosed ailment and was a game-time decision for Wednesday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The 32-year-old Forbort is averaging 18:08, recording three points (0G / 3A), 16 blocks, and 11 hits in 13 games this season.

Pettersson has not played since December 23rd but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup as he was a game-time decision Wednesday. 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.

Hronek has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on November 27th and has been assigned to the AHL for a conditioning stint with the Abbottsford Canucks. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Hronek was averaging 23:36 time-on-ice, recording nine points (1G / 8A) in 21 games this season.

Forbort is battling an undisclosed ailment and could miss Wednesday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The 32-year-old Forbort is averaging 18:08, recording three points (0G / 3A), 16 blocks, and 11 hits in 13 games this season.

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.

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.

Hughes has missed the previous four games due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 25-year-old Hughes is having another excellent season, scoring 42 points (8G / 34A) in 34 games. He was on a particularly strong stretch before his injury, with 22 points (4G / 18A) in his last 14 games.

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.

Joshua played 10:23 time-on-ice in Vancouver's 3-0 loss to the Nashville Predators on January 3rd and has not played since due to a leg injury. Joshua will be out of the lineup until at least January 10th, when the Canucks visit the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Joshua has four points (2G / 2A), 20 penalty minutes, and 83 hits in 24 games this season. The Canucks have recalled Jonathan Lekkerimaki in a corresponding move.

Hughes has missed the previous four games due to an upper-body injury but could return to the lineup on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 25-year-old Hughes is having another excellent season, scoring 42 points (8G / 34A) in 34 games. He was on a particularly strong stretch before his injury, with 22 points (4G / 18A) in his last 14 games.

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.

Joshua played 10:23 time-on-ice in Vancouver's 3-0 loss to the Nashville Predators on January 3rd and has not played since due to a leg injury. Joshua will be out of the lineup until at least January 10th, when the Canucks visit the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Joshua has four points (2G / 2A), 20 penalty minutes, and 83 hits in 24 games this season. The Canucks have recalled Jonathan Lekkerimaki in a corresponding move.

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.

Thatcher Demko exited Vancouver's previous game due to back spasms and will not dress on Friday against the Nashville Predators. Silovs began the season in Vancouver but has been in the AHL since Demko debuted. The 23-year-old Silovs has a 2.44 GAA and .900 SV% in five games with Abbottsford (AHL).

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.