The Vancouver Canucks are back in action Thursday night at Rogers Arena, continuing their homestand with a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. And while the calendar has flipped to 2026, wins have been tough to come by for Vancouver-just one so far this year. Thursday’s game offers a chance to change that narrative.
Tolopilo Gets the Net
Between the pipes, the Canucks will turn to 25-year-old Nikita Tolopilo. He’s had a bumpy ride this season, entering the game with a 2-3-0 record and an .887 save percentage.
But there’s a bit of history here-Tolopilo already has a win against Anaheim under his belt, stopping 37 shots in that performance. He’ll look to tap into that same form as he faces a Ducks team that’s had its own share of struggles.
Tolopilo most recently saw action against San Jose, where he was tested early and often. While the numbers haven’t been eye-popping, the Canucks are clearly hoping the young netminder can settle in and give them a steady presence in goal as the season grinds on.
Projected Line Combinations
Here’s how the Canucks are expected to line up:
- Top Line: Kane - Pettersson - Garland The top unit continues to be anchored by Elias Pettersson, with Patrick Kane providing veteran savvy and Conor Garland bringing the energy. This trio has the skill to tilt the ice, but they’ll need to finish their chances to give Vancouver a spark.
- Second Line: Chytil - Kämpf - Karlsson This line brings a mix of speed and two-way responsibility. Kämpf is the stabilizer in the middle, while Chytil and Karlsson look to generate offense off the rush.
- Third Line: Öhgren - Blueger - Lekkerimäki A young, intriguing trio.
Öhgren and Lekkerimäki are still finding their NHL footing, but there’s upside here. Blueger provides the experience and defensive reliability to let the kids play their game.
- Fourth Line: O'Connor - Räty - DeBrusk Jake DeBrusk continues to work his way into the Canucks’ system, now skating on the fourth line as he approaches a career milestone. Räty is another young piece the Canucks are hoping to develop, and O’Connor brings some grit to the mix.
Defensive Pairings:
- E. Pettersson - Hronek
- M. Pettersson - Myers
- Willander - Mancini
The blue line is a blend of youth and experience. Hronek remains a key piece, logging heavy minutes alongside Elias Pettersson (not to be confused with the forward). Filip Hronek’s puck-moving ability will be crucial in transitioning play quickly against Anaheim’s forecheck.
Veteran Tyler Myers pairs with M. Pettersson, while the third pairing of Willander and Mancini will be tasked with holding down the fort in limited minutes. The Canucks will need cleaner zone exits and better puck management from the back end if they’re going to turn the tide at home.
In Goal:
- Starter: Nikita Tolopilo
- Backup: Kevin Lankinen
Lankinen will serve as the backup, but all eyes will be on Tolopilo to see if he can deliver a confidence-boosting performance.
Game Info:
- Puck Drop: 7:00 PM PT
- Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver
- TV: Sportsnet
- Radio: Sportsnet 650
The Canucks are desperate to get back in the win column, especially in front of their home crowd. With lineup consistency starting to take shape and a young goaltender looking to prove himself, Thursday’s tilt against Anaheim could be a turning point-or another missed opportunity. Either way, expect a team hungry to make a statement.