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.
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.
Pettersson has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 14th, missing six straight games, but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Pettersson has been a steadying force on the blueline for a Penguins club that has struggled defensively at times. He is averaging 21:47 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (2G / 11A), 56 blocks, and 36 hits in 32 games.
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.
Pettersson has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 14th, missing six straight games, but will likely return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Pettersson has been a steadying force on the blueline for a Penguins club that has struggled defensively at times. He is averaging 21:47 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (2G / 11A), 56 blocks, and 36 hits in 32 games.
