Manny Malhotra isn’t making a mystery out of his goaltending plan. The Canucks coach said plainly why Leevi Meriläinen has kept getting the net lately: the rookie gives Vancouver a chance to win.
“It’s because of the fact he gives us an opportunity to win every night, and that’s the messaging for the group. We need guys who are going to be competitive and give us an opportunity to win every night.”
That explanation lines up with the way Meriläinen has performed. He’s backstopped the Canucks to two of their three wins this season, and even in the losses, he has at least kept the door cracked open when the rest of the team hasn’t always done enough to walk through it. Saturday night marked his fourth straight start and his seventh in the last nine games.
The numbers help explain the choice, too. Kevin Lankinen’s .812 save percentage sits last among goaltenders with at least two games played, and his 6.17 goals-against average is almost double Meriläinen’s 3.31.
With the Canucks not playing on back-to-back nights until November 15th and 16th, the big question now is how often, if at all, Lankinen gets the crease before then.
On a much lighter note, Vancouver’s Halloween party over the weekend delivered the kind of costume parade that deserves its own spotlight. The team showed up with plenty of creativity, and the results were excellent across the board.
Elias Pettersson (D) and his partner went as Justin Bieber and a Belieber. Liam Öhgren and his partner leaned into a Vikings look.
Linus Karlsson and his partner went Bavarian/Oktoberfest. Elias (Forward) and Katelyn Pettersson dressed as the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who.
Paul Cotter and fiancée Caylie came as Elvis and Priscilla Presley.
Brock and Bella Boeser, along with Thatcher and Lexi Demko, went as Smurfs.
And the group shots had even more to enjoy: Marco Rossi, Tom Willander, and Victor Mancini as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Luke and Jeska Schenn as Marv and Harry, “The Wet Bandits” from Home Alone; Zeev Buium as Ricky Bobby; Max Sasson as Shrek; and someone dressed as Michael Myers who wasn’t even looking at the camera.
Don’t forget the farm boys!
In Other News...
Canucks Unveil A New Look Built Around Vancouvers Home Identity
The Canucks have added a fresh wrinkle to their look with the unveiling of their new "Hometown Remix" jerseys, a design meant to tie the club more closely to Vancouver itself. The latest alternate was developed through the NHL and Fanatics jersey program, and team officials framed it as a collaborative effort built around the citys identity and the way it shows up in everyday life around the rink.
The new sweater carries a speckled pattern that nods to the regions wet weather, giving the jersey a distinctly local feel rather than a generic modern refresh. Vancouver has already set a date to break it out, with a full slate of appearances planned after the debut, and the first chance to see it in action will come against the Rangers on Nov. 13. [Read more 🡒]
Canucks Brutal Start Is Fueling Trade Buzz Around Core Forwards
A rough start has already pushed the Canucks into an uncomfortable spot, and with the season sliding the conversation around the roster is shifting fast. Vancouver is in the middle of a rebuild, but the attention now is landing on some of the clubs most established forwards, with Jake DeBrusk and Elias Pettersson drawing notice as possible trade candidates because of the way they have performed this season.
Both players have been productive enough to keep their value intact, which is exactly why they are suddenly part of the wider trade chatter. For a team trying to sort out its next step, that creates an awkward balancing act: keep core pieces that still help on the ice, or listen if another club comes calling with the kind of interest that can accelerate a rebuild. [Read more 🡒]
Canucks Practice Brought A Lineup Twist Ahead Of A Key Stretch
After a day off, the Canucks were back on the ice with a few noticeable changes as they turned their attention to a demanding stretch ahead. Practice brought the first look at the clubs new Hometown Remix equipment, including Kevin Lankinens fresh silver goalie setup, while the coaching staff also shuffled pieces around as the group worked through lineup adjustments.
The timing matters with Anaheim, Winnipeg and Edmonton coming up next, and Vancouver is still sorting out its forward group after providing an injury update on Filip Chytil. He will miss the upcoming game, leaving the Canucks to manage their options as they try to keep momentum through a busy part of the schedule. [Read more 🡒]