The Vancouver Canucks are back at it tonight, hosting the Anaheim Ducks in the seventh game of their eight-game homestand at Rogers Arena. Puck drops at 7 p.m. local time, and the team will mark the occasion by celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Let’s dive into what’s shaping up to be an intriguing matchup between two teams heading in very different directions - one trying to claw its way out of a tough stretch, the other looking to bounce back after a rare stumble.
Canucks Lineup Shuffles and Key Absences
The Canucks hit the ice for a full morning skate, with one notable absence: defenseman Filip Hronek took the morning off but is expected to be ready for game time. Nils Höglander, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a lower-body issue, rejoined the group but won’t dress tonight. Max Sasson will also be scratched.
In an effort to ignite some offense and snap an 11-game point drought, Conor Garland is getting a fresh look on the right wing alongside Elias Pettersson and Evander Kane. It’s a high-skill line with some grit, and the Canucks are hoping Garland’s energy and creativity can mesh with Pettersson’s vision and Kane’s physical presence.
Filip Chytil, meanwhile, will shift over to left wing on a line with David Kämpf and Linus Karlsson. Assistant coach Adam Foote noted that the position change is something the staff and Chytil have discussed, and it’s a move the player has embraced. It’s about experimentation at this point - seeing what combinations might spark something.
One of the more intriguing developments tonight will be the NHL debut of a former junior connection: Liam Öhgren and Jonathan Lekkerimäki will skate together on a line with veteran Teddy Blueger. Öhgren and Lekkerimäki have chemistry from their days in Sweden, and this is their first shot at bringing that to the NHL level.
Tolopilo Gets the Nod in Net
Nikita Tolopilo will get the start in goal tonight after coming on in relief against the Sharks and stopping 25 shots. His last start, however, was a rough one - a 6-0 loss to Edmonton to open this homestand. Still, with Kevin Lankinen having started five straight and seven of the last eight, the Canucks are giving their backup another shot.
Tolopilo’s performance tonight will be one to watch. The Canucks need more stability in net, and with their defensive play still a work in progress, goaltending has to be sharp.
Blueline Producing at the Right Time
While the Canucks are tied with Los Angeles for the fewest goals by defensemen this season (15), there’s been a recent uptick. Four of Vancouver’s last nine goals have come from the back end, including both tallies in Tuesday’s game - courtesy of Tom Willander and Filip Hronek.
Hronek has goals in two of his last four games and leads the team’s defense corps with five on the year. That’s encouraging for a group that’s struggled to generate consistent offense from the blue line.
Milestone Watch: DeBrusk Hits 600
Veteran winger Jake DeBrusk is set to play in his 600th NHL game tonight. It’s a significant milestone for a player who’s carved out a reliable career with his blend of skill and sandpaper. He’s been a steady presence in the lineup and continues to bring leadership to a young Canucks team trying to find its footing.
Scouting the Ducks
Anaheim rolls into Vancouver after a wild 7-4 loss to the Oilers on Monday - a game that snapped their impressive seven-game win streak. That streak came on the heels of a nine-game winless slide, so this Ducks team has been all over the map lately.
Mikael Granlund had a hat trick in that Edmonton game - all three on the power play - and Alex Killorn added a goal of his own. The Ducks have been without key forwards Leo Carlsson, Mason MacTavish, and Troy Terry, but Terry is expected back in the lineup tonight after missing 10 games with an upper-body injury. That’s a big boost for Anaheim’s top six.
Cutter Gauthier continues to lead the way offensively. He’s up to 23 goals and 47 points and ranks third in the league with 198 shots on goal - a staggering 78 more than any of his teammates. He’s the engine of this offense, plain and simple.
Bennett Sennecke, who just turned 20, is tied for second on the team with 18 goals and sits third in scoring with 43 points. He’s coming off a monster weekend that included a hat trick and OT winner in Calgary, followed by a career-high 25:31 of ice time in Edmonton.
Ducks Dangerous in OT, But Defense Remains a Concern
Anaheim’s biggest strength? They know how to win close games.
The Ducks are 12-3 in games that go beyond regulation, including a perfect 6-0 in shootouts. That’s the kind of clutch performance that’s keeping them in the thick of the Pacific Division race.
But defensively, the Ducks have issues. They’re giving up 3.55 goals per game - second-worst in the league, just ahead of the Canucks (3.68). So while they can score, they’re also vulnerable in their own end, which could open the door for Vancouver to take advantage.
In goal, Lukas Dostal gets the start tonight. He’s riding a personal six-game winning streak and was just named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week. During that stretch, he’s posted a 1.93 GAA and a .931 save percentage - rock-solid numbers that have helped stabilize Anaheim’s crease.
Head-to-Head and What’s Ahead
The Canucks took the first meeting of the season 5-4 in Anaheim back on November 26. They’ll face the Ducks two more times after tonight - March 24 in Vancouver and April 12 in Anaheim. Vancouver has dominated the recent history between these teams, winning nine of the last ten matchups.
Tonight’s referees are Trevor Hanson and Jordan Samuels-Thomas.
What They’re Saying
Adam Foote, on facing a fast, rush-heavy Ducks team:
“We’ve got a good rush team in here tonight.
We’ve got to move on from last game. It’s a new game.
And we have to focus on our routes and how we play.”
Tyler Myers, on cleaning up the defensive zone:
“We’ve taken a look at a few things in the last week.
I know at times it may not look like it, but it’s coming. There are certain situations where there might be a switch or might not be a switch, but I feel like guys are doing a good job and we’re working to get more consistent with it and you can feel we’re getting better at it.”
The Canucks are looking to build some momentum and end this homestand on a high note. The Ducks?
They’re trying to prove Monday’s loss was just a bump in the road. With both teams needing points for very different reasons, expect a fast-paced, high-energy matchup at Rogers Arena.