Canucks Gameday Preview #81: Thatcher Demko Returns As Vancouver Wraps Up Their 2023-24 Regular Season Home Schedule

Adam Kierszenblat

Apr 16, 2024, 07:01

Adam Kierszenblat

Apr 16, 2024, 07:01

The Canucks can secure the Pacific Division crown with one point versus the Flames.

Photo by Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports - Canucks Gameday Preview #81: Thatcher Demko Returns As Vancouver Wraps Up Their 2023-24 Regular Season Home Schedule

The Vancouver Canucks (49-22-9) will look to celebrate Fan Appreciation Night in style as they take on the Calgary Flames (37-38-5) on Tuesday. With one point, the Canucks would capture their first-ever Pacific Division crown, while a victory would help Vancouver hit the 50-win mark for the third time in franchise history. This game will also be significant as Thatcher Demko will return to the lineup for the first time in a month as he looks to get back into game shape ahead of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While Calgary has already been eliminated from playoff contention, this will not be an easy win for the Canucks. Not only will the Flames be coming in looking to spoil Vancouver's home finale, but they will also want Andrei Kuzmenko to have a big game in his second trip back to Rogers Arena. If the Canucks can clog up the middle of the ice while converting on their power play opportunities, they will have a good chance of skating away with their 27th home win of the season.

Players to Watch

Ilya Mikheyev

Head coach Rick Tocchet needs to find a way to get Ilya Mikheyev going. He is currently on a ten-game pointless streak and hasn't scored in over a month. With the playoffs around the corner, Mikheyev needs to find a way to bump the slump if he wants to stay in the top six.

Nazem Kadri

Nazem Kadri comes into this game as one of the hottest players in the NHL. Recently named the league's third star of the week, he has six points in his last two games and is one point from hitting 75 on the season. Whether it is on the power play or at even strength, he is a threat with the puck and will cause the Canucks issues all night.

Projected Lineup

Suter-Miller-Boeser

Mikheyev-Pettersson-Höglander

Joshua-Lindholm-Garland

Podkolzin-Blueger-Lafferty

Hughes- Hronek

Soucy- Myers

Zadorov- Cole

Demko

DeSmith

Odd Courtesy of BetMGM

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