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.
Sasson made his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring five points (1G / 4A) in 12 games. The undrafted 24-year-old, a product of Western Michigan University, has nine points (4G / 5A) in 16 games with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) this season.
Brisebois has three points (1G / 2A) in 27 career NHL games but has exclusively played in the AHL the previous two seasons. The 27-year-old defenseman has one point (1G / 0A) in 23 games with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) this season.
Hughes' status for Monday's game against the Sharks was suddenly put in doubt when Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet announced he was a game-time decision just a little over two hours before puck drop. Thankfully for Canucks fans, Hughes took full part in warmups and appears to be good to go for Vancouver's final game before the holiday break.
Demko will make his fifth start of the season when the Canucks host the Sharks on Monday. Demko turned in a solid performance his last time out, allowing three goals on 31 shots in a 3-2 overtime defeat in Utah on Wednesday. The 29-year-old netminder has posted a 1-1-2 record and an .887 SV% since returning from injury on December 10th. He draws a great matchup tonight as the Canucks enter action at -260 on the money line.
