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.
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.
Joseph returns to Pittsburgh where he spent the first four seasons of his career after just 23 games in St. Louis. Joseph failed to score as a Blue and has just two assists to his name on the season. He should see more consistent playing time for the Penguins after struggling to maintain a spot in the Blues lineup.
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).
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.
Kampf has not played since November 16th and will return from a one-month absence on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Kampf was averaging 12:18 time-on-ice before his injury, recording three points (0G / 3A) and 15 hits in 18 games.
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.
