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.
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.
