With Thatcher Demko battling a lower-body injury during the preseason, the Canucks signed Lankinen to a one-year contract to temporarily fill the void in the team's crease. That said, Lankinen has impressed in his first season with the Canucks, posting a solid 2.53 GAA, .905 SV%, and four shutouts in 34 games (19-8-7), earning himself a lucrative five-year, $22.5 million contract.
Lankinen will make his 32nd start of the season when the Canucks travel to St. Louis to take on the Blues on Monday. Lankinen was spectacular in his last start, allowing just a single goal on 33 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Capitals on Saturday. The 29-year-old netminder is enjoying a successful first season with the Canucks, boasting a 17-8-6 record and a .905 SV%. Lankinen and the Canucks enter action on Monday at +115 on the money line.
Arturs Silovs served as Thatcher Demko's backup in Vancouver's most recent game as Lankinen was out with an illness. Lankinen has a 2.63 GAA and .903 SV% in 30 games this season (16-8-6) and has continued to be busy between the pipes since Demko returned from an injury.
The Canucks are coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, courtesy of a 20-save shutout by Lankinen, his fourth of the season. Lankinen returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets, looking to build on his 2.51 GAA and .906 SV% through 29 games this season (16-7-6). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as +140 road underdogs against a Jets squad coming off a 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Thatcher Demko (back) is nearing a return but remains out of the lineup on Wednesday, leaving the crease to Lankinen. The 29-year-old Lankinen has a 2.63 GAA and .904 SV% in 27 games this season (15-7-5). After starting the season with a .912 SV% in his first 21 games (14-4-3), Lankinen has fallen off significantly, posting an ugly .865 SV% in six games since (1-3-2). The Canucks enter Wednesday's contest as +161 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals squad coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
With Thatcher Demko sidelined due to back spasms, Lankinen will get the nod when the Canucks travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens on Monday. Lankinen played well in a losing effort his last time out, allowing just a single goal on 17 shots as the Predators tacked on a couple of empty netters to secure a 3-0 victory over the Canucks on Friday. Lankinen has performed well in Demko's absence this season, posting a .908 SV% and a 15-7-4 record across 26 appearances. He and the Canucks enter action on Monday night as slight favourites at -130 on the money line.
Lankinen entered yesterday's 4-3 win over the Seattle Kraken in relief of Thatcher Demko (back), saving 13 of 15 shots (.867 SV%). He will return to the crease on Friday against the Nashville Predators, his former club. The 29-year-old Lankinen has a 2.60 GAA and .907 SV% in 25 games this season (15-6-4). The Canucks enter Friday's contest as +154 home underdogs against a Predators club amid a three-game losing skid.
Lankinen has only played two of the last seven games for the Canucks but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. The 29-year-old Lankinen has a respectable 2.61 GAA and .907 SV% in 23 games (14-5-4) but has allowed seven goals on the last 42 shots he's faced (.833 SV%) across two games (0-1-1). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as +118 road underdogs against a Flames club coming off a 3-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Canucks will turn to Lankinen between the pipes on Thursday after Thatcher Demko got the starting nod in each of their last three games. Lankinen was phenomenal in his last appearance, stopping all 27 shots he faced in a 4-0 shutout victory over the Panthers on December 12th. The 29-year-old netminder has performed well seemingly whenever he's been called upon this season, but his playing time is likely going to continue to be limited with a healthy Demko back in the picture.
Thatcher Demko (lower body) made his long-awaited season debut in a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, but the Canucks will revert to Lankinen between the pipes on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. Lankinen has been solid tending the twice for the Canucks this season, posting a 2.65 GAA and .908 SV% in 20 games (13-4-3), and will likely continue seeing a reasonable workload as Demko acclimates pack to game speed. The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +153 home underdogs against a Panthers club riding a three-game winning streak.
Thatcher Demko (lower body) made his long-awaited season debut in a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, but the Canucks will revert to Lankinen between the pipes on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. Lankinen has been solid tending the twice for the Canucks this season, posting a 2.65 GAA and .908 SV% in 20 games (13-4-3), and will likely continue seeing a reasonable workload as Demko acclimates pack to game speed. The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +153 home underdogs against a Panthers club riding a three-game winning streak.
