Canucks News & Rumours: Lankinen, Meriläinen, Pettersson, DeBrusk & More Decisions

The Vancouver Canucks had little to celebrate after Thursday’s 7-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Giving up seven goals will do that to a team, especially if they fall behind 4-0 early into the second period. Still, even in an ugly loss, a couple of things are worth watching as Vancouver continues its early-season schedule.

For me, the interesting stories are developing at opposite ends of the ice. In goal, Kevin Lankinen is off to a rough start, and Leevi Meriläinen is making the most of his chances. Up front, meanwhile, Elias Pettersson is putting together the kind of stretch Canucks fans have been waiting for, while Jake DeBrusk is showing he can provide timely offence. One bad night doesn’t tell the whole story, but a few early-season trends are worth noting.

Canucks’ Goalie Situation Gets More Interesting After Another Lankinen Hook

The numbers aren’t pretty for Kevin Lankinen. He allowed six goals on 18 shots against Carolina before being pulled to start the third period. It’s the second time in four starts this season he’s been pulled, and he’s now allowed at least five goals in three games. His 7.06 goals-against average and .786 save percentage tell a difficult story.

But here’s where things get interesting. Leevi Meriläinen came in and stopped 15 of 16 shots, posting a 1.62 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage over five periods. He’s also won his only start. Those are encouraging numbers for a young goaltender looking to establish himself, though relief appearances are different from carrying the responsibility of a full game.

I wouldn’t rush to declare Meriläinen the new No. 1 just yet. Lankinen has faced some difficult assignments, and goaltenders can get themselves into a hole early before finding their game again. Still, Vancouver can’t ignore what is happening. With back-to-back road games against the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers this weekend, Meriläinen may have another chance to make an impression. If he stays composed while Lankinen struggles, the crease conversation could change quickly.

Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk Provide a Little Encouragement

The final score against Carolina wasn’t pretty, but Vancouver’s forwards showed some positive signs. Elias Pettersson recorded two assists, both on Jake DeBrusk goals, extending his point streak to five games. He now has two goals and eight points during that stretch, along with 21 hits, eight shots and six blocked shots.

That last part is worth noting. Pettersson isn’t just finding the scoresheet; he’s contributing in other areas, too. After a couple of tough seasons, the 27-year-old centre appears to be playing with more confidence. Canucks fans remember the player who scored 39 goals and 102 points in 2022-23. It’s too early to say he’s back to that level, but seeing him put together a sustained run of production is encouraging.

DeBrusk deserves some credit here as well. He scored both Vancouver goals against Carolina, capitalizing on rebounds in the second and third periods. It was a solid return after missing two games with an illness. Through three games, he has two goals and three points on eight shots.

Of course, scoring twice in a 7-2 loss doesn’t solve Vancouver’s problems. But the connection between Pettersson and DeBrusk is worth watching. If Pettersson continues creating chances and DeBrusk keeps finding ways to finish them, the Canucks will have a useful combination. They need more nights when their offensive contributions translate into points in the standings.

What’s Next for the Vancouver Canucks?

The immediate question is what Vancouver does in goal. Lankinen needs a chance to settle down, but the team also has to consider what Meriläinen is showing. The back-to-back weekend could provide clues about how the coaching staff sees the situation. Nobody needs to make a final decision after one difficult stretch, but the competition for playing time is getting harder to ignore.

Up front, Pettersson’s five-game point streak gives Canucks fans reason to be optimistic, and DeBrusk’s return adds another encouraging sign. The Carolina loss reminded Vancouver it has plenty to work on, particularly defensively. Still, the early season isn’t only about the final score. Sometimes, even in a lopsided defeat, you can spot a couple of things that might matter down the road.