The Vancouver Canucks visit the Anaheim Ducks for an important late-season matchup that carries different stakes for each club. The projected lineups point to several lineup changes, injury-related absences, and a likely goaltending switch for Vancouver as both teams prepare without a morning skate.
Vancouver enters the game at 23-48-8 and is expected to start Nikita Tolopilo after Kevin Lankinen returned from a three-game absence because of an upper-body injury. Anaheim, which stands at 42-32-5, appears set to rely on Lukas Dostal, while forward Cutter Gauthier is trending toward a return after missing five games with an upper-body injury.
Canucks looking to manage injuries and secure stability in goal
Vancouver’s projected forward group features Liam Ohgren, Elias Pettersson, and Brock Boeser on the top line, with Drew O’Connor, Marco Rossi, and Linus Karlsson listed behind them. Nils Hoglander, Teddy Blueger, and Jake DeBrusk are projected as the third unit, while Max Sasson, Curtis Douglas, and Aatu Raty round out the bottom six.
The blue line is expected to include Zeev Buium with Filip Hronek, Marcus Pettersson with Tom Willander, and Elias Nils Pettersson with Pierre-Olivier Joseph. Tolopilo is projected in goal, while Lankinen is listed as the backup after his 28-save performance in a 4-3 shootout win against the San Jose Sharks.
- Projected top six: Ohgren, Pettersson, Boeser, O’Connor, Rossi, Karlsson.
- Projected defense: Buium, Hronek, Marcus Pettersson, Willander, Elias Nils Pettersson, Joseph.
- Goaltending: Tolopilo expected to start, Lankinen available as backup.
Vancouver’s injury list remains significant, with Evander Kane out because of an undisclosed issue, Filip Chytil sidelined by a facial fracture, Thatcher Demko recovering from hip surgery, and Derek Forbort also unavailable. Victor Mancini and Ty Mueller are scratched for the game.
Ducks aim to keep their lineup intact around key regulars
Anaheim’s projected top line places Chris Kreider with Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry, giving the Ducks a mix of scoring touch and pace. The second line features Alex Killorn, Mikael Granlund, and Beckett Sennecke, while Jeffrey Viel, Mason McTavish, and Cutter Gauthier form the third line if Gauthier is cleared to play.
The fourth line is projected to include Tim Washe, Ryan Poehling, and Ian Moore. On defense, Jackson LaCombe and Jacob Trouba are listed together, with Pavel Mintyukov paired with John Carlson and Tyson Hinds alongside Drew Helleson.
Dostal is expected to start in net, with Ville Husso as the backup. Frank Vatrano and Olen Zellweger are scratched, while Jansen Harkins remains out after hand surgery and Ross Johnston is sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Key lineup notes for Canucks at Ducks
The most important roster questions center on Anaheim’s health and Vancouver’s crease decision. Gauthier returned to practice and said he plans to play, while defenseman Radko Gudas practiced in a regular jersey and remains a game-time decision after missing five games.
With both teams skipping a morning skate, the final lineup picture will likely be confirmed closer to puck drop. That leaves the Canucks with a likely Tolopilo start and the Ducks with a strong possibility of getting Gauthier back in the lineup for an 8 p.m. ET meeting at Honda Center.