Hughes did not play the final four games for the Canucks before the break for the 4-Nations Face Off due to a lower-body injury but was back at practice on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games.
With Thatcher Demko expected to be out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, Arturs Silovs has been recalled from Abbotsford (AHL) to act as Kevin Lankinen's backup for the foreseeable future. The 23-year-old netminder has appeared in seven games for Vancouver this season but has struggled with a 1-4-1 record, 4.11 GAA and .847 SV%.
Demko will not make Vancouver's upcoming five-game road trip after it was announced he is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Vancouver expects to re-evaluate the goaltender when they return from Seattle next weekend. Kevin Lankinen in the meantime is expected to get the majority of the Canucks' starts going forward.
O'Connor was acquired from Pittsburgh in late January in the deal that saw Marcus Pettersson also come to Vancouver and has signed a two-year, $5 million contract extension ($2.5 million AAV) on Tuesday to remain a Canuck for the foreseeable future. O'Connor is in his fifth NHL season and has eight goals and 18 points in 57 games played between Pittsburgh and Vancouver in 2024-25.
Demko will make his 16th start of the season when the Canucks travel to San Jose to take on the Sharks on Thursday. Demko enjoyed his best start of the season in his last outing, stopping all 25 shots he faced in a 3-0 victory over the Avalanche. The shutout should be a big boost of confidence for Demko, who has struggled to regain his form this season since returning from injury. He's a great bet to stay in the win column on Thursday as the Canucks enter action at -190 on the money line.
Hughes suffered a lower-body injury late in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars and has not played since. He will miss a third consecutive game on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games. Filip Hronek has been the quarterback on Vancouver's top powerplay unit while Hughes has been sidelined.
Juulsen will be the odd-man out when the Canucks host the Avs on Tuesday. Juulsen is yet to register a point in 35 games this season.
The Canucks have lost two straight and will attempt to return to the win column with Demko between the pipes on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. Demko struggled in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on 14 shots (.786 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Demko was last season's runner-up for the Vezina trophy but has failed to match that success this season, posting a 3.26 GAA and .873 SV% in 14 games (4-6-3). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as +130 home underdogs against an Avalanche team outscoring their opposition 7-0 during a two-game winning streak.
Hughes suffered a lower-body injury late in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars and has not played since. He will miss a second consecutive game on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games.
The Canucks have lost two straight and will attempt to return to the win column with Demko between the pipes on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. Demko struggled in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on 14 shots (.786 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Demko was last season's runner-up for the Vezina trophy but has failed to match that success this season, posting a 3.26 GAA and .873 SV% in 14 games (4-6-3). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as +130 home underdogs against an Avalanche team outscoring their opposition 7-0 during a two-game winning streak.
