Demko surrendered two goals on 42 shots in the Canucks win over the Senators on Tuesday. The win snapped a three-game losing skid for Demko, who will start for the 12th time this season on Saturday afternoon. The 23-year-old has gone 4-0-1 with a 2.62 GAA and .919 SV% in five home games this season.
Demko gave up seven goals on 39 shots in the Canucks loss in Pittsburgh last Wednesday. It was a wild game and it ended up being Demko's worst outing of the season. After playing fantastic in October, Demko had a tough time in November, going 2-3-1 with a 3.73 GAA and .886 SV%. Despite losing three straight starts, Demko has some spot-start appeal with the Senators in town.
Lankinen came up to serve as Corey Crawford's backup on Monday but heads back to the AHL with Robin Lehner (illness) likely back on Thursday.
Lankinen will backup Corey Crawford on Monday because Robin Lehner is dealing with flu-like symptoms. The 24-year-old netminder has gone 5-2-2 with a 2.48 GAA and .924 SV% in the AHL this season.
Jacob Markstrom was originally announced as the starter for tonight's game. Canucks head coach Travis Green said Markstrom showed up at the rink a little under the weather, so Demko will instead get the nod.
Demko surrendered five goals on 23 shots in the Canucks loss to the Avalanche on November 15th. Jacob Markstrom has started the last three games but Demko will go head-to-head with Carter Hart on Monday. He's played well this season but has allowed at least three goals in three straight games, posting an .883 SV% during that span. He's been good on the road, going 2-2-0 with a 2.23 GAA and .926 SV% in four games.
Hronek has missed the last two games but told reporters that he hopes to play vs. the Senators. Hronek has played very well this season and has picked up three goals and four assists (seven points) in his last 12 games.
DeBrusk has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury but skated on the third-line in Monday's practice and head coach Bruce Cassidy anticipates him playing on Tuesday. However, he is still listed as a game-time decision so monitor his status during tomorrow's morning skate in New Jersey.
Hronek, who finished Tuesday's game in Anaheim, missed Thursday's morning skate and is questionable to play in Los Angeles. Head coach Jeff Blashill did not rule out the potential of Hronek playing tonight, so monitor his status as the Red Wings hit the ice for warmups.
Demko allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Canucks loss in Winnipeg last Friday. Demko has played very well in his first six appearances and has earned some more playing time beside Jacob Markstrom. Demko enters Tuesday's matchup tied for second in the NHL in GAA (1.99) and tied for third in SV% (.933). It's not a great matchup but the Predators are a pedestrian 3-3-1 on the road this season.
Demko allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Canucks win in San Jose last Saturday. With Jacob Markstrom going last night, Demko will make his sixth appearance of the season in Winnipeg. He has gone 2-1-0 with a 1.97 GAA and .931 SV% on the road this year and is a decent option against a Jets offence that is still searching for answers.
DeBrusk is battling a lower-body injury and will not be available for tomorrow's game against the Red Wings. With DeBrusk out, Peter Cehlarik will move up to the second line and skate with David Krejci and Danton Heinen.
Hughes missed Saturday's game in San Jose but will play tonight vs. the Blues. Hughes has heated up as of late, picking up six assists in his last six games. Ashton Sautner will come out of the lineup to make room for Hughes.
Hughes left Friday's game with a lower-body injury and has officially been ruled out of Saturday's game in San Jose. Ashton Sautner will replace him in the lineup for at least one game.
Demko allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Canucks win over the Panthers on Monday. Jacob Markstrom started the last two games, including last night, so Demko will make his fifth start tonight. He is 3-1-0 with a 1.73 GAA and .941 SV% in his first four starts and gets a crack at a struggling Sharks team that sits 27th in goal-scoring (2.43 GF/gm) in their first 14 games.
Hughes was forced to leave Friday's game with a lower-body injury that he suffered in an awkward-looking open ice fall. We likely won't get an update on Hughes' status until closer to game-time but the Canucks recalled Oscar Fantenberg from Utica (AHL), which suggests that Hughes will miss at least one game.
