Canucks Goaltending Shuffle Ahead of Blue Jackets Clash
Tonight, the Vancouver Canucks will face the Columbus Blue Jackets with a significant change in net. Goaltender Thatcher Demko will not dress for the game, leaving Kevin Lankinen to take the starting role. Lankinen, who has appeared in six games this season with a 2-4-0 record, a 3.62 goals-against average, and an .880 save percentage, will get the nod as the Canucks look to keep their momentum going.
Demko’s absence has been carefully managed by the coaching staff. After skating on Saturday morning, Demko was deemed unavailable for tonight’s matchup, although his return could be possible when the Canucks host the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. Coach Adam Foote emphasized that Demko is using the time to maintain his readiness for the next opportunity to play, noting, “He went out this morning, and he’s still doing his thing, preparing for next time he plays.”
Also Read:- Senate Republicans Push Trump’s Plan to Replace Obamacare Amid Shutdown
- Sydney FC Gears Up for Key Matches as Stars Hit Major Milestones
Backing up Lankinen will be Jiřà Patera, who was called up from the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks under emergency conditions. The 26-year-old Patera has played five games this season with a 1-2-2 record and a .894 save percentage. Injuries at multiple levels of the organization have made his call-up necessary, highlighting the ripple effect that goaltending issues are having on the Canucks’ system.
At the AHL level, the Abbotsford Canucks have also been hit hard. Nikita Tolopilo has been sidelined since October 24, while Ty Young left Friday’s game with an injury, prompting Abbotsford to sign 21-year-old CJ Kier to an amateur try-out, who made his AHL debut in the third period. To fill the roster gaps, the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings sent Jonathan Lemieux and Aku Koskenvuo to Abbotsford, with Koskenvuo recording the only win between them in two appearances this season.
This cascade of injuries has left Vancouver’s goaltending situation unusually fluid, with changes trickling down through the NHL, AHL, and ECHL levels. Each team in the organization has been impacted, and daily adjustments have become necessary just to field a competitive lineup.
For tonight, all eyes will be on Lankinen as he steps into the spotlight against Columbus, while Demko continues his recovery and preparation for a potential return. The Canucks’ roster flexibility and depth are being tested like never before, and how the team adapts could set the tone for the next stretch of their season.
In short, Vancouver’s goaltending carousel reflects the challenges of managing injuries across multiple levels, and tonight’s game serves as a crucial test of both the players’ resilience and the coaching staff’s strategic adjustments.
Read More:
0 Comments