With just over two hours until puck drop, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet announced his superstar defenceman was in danger of missing Monday's game against the Sharks. Tocchet also added that the injury just occurred in the Canucks game against the Senators on Saturday, and that Hughes will likely want to play through it, which suggests it's unlikely to be a long-term injury. We most likely won't have confirmation on Hughes' status until shortly before puck drop on Monday.

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.

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.

Matt Rempe was recalled in a corresponding move as the Rangers opted to swap their spare blue-liner for a forward after dealing Kaapo Kakko to Seattle for Will Borgen on Wednesday. Mancini has one goal and four assists in 15 games this season.

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).

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).

Pettersson suffered a lower-body injury on Saturday, exiting the Penguins' 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators in the first period after only 6:11 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Pettersson has been a steadying force on the blueline for a Penguins club that struggles defensively. He is averaging 21:47 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (2G / 11A), 56 blocks, and 36 hits in 32 games.

Pettersson suffered a lower-body injury on Saturday, exiting the Penguins' 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators in the first period after only 6:11 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old Pettersson has been a steadying force on the blueline for a Penguins club that struggles defensively. He is averaging 21:47 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (2G / 11A), 56 blocks, and 36 hits in 32 games.