Feb 22, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) takes a face-off against Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger (53) during the second period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/382c422f-cc25-433b-b2c2-dbdc7f845e79.jpeg] Feb 22, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) takes a face-off against Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger (53) during the second period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images After going 2–2–2 on their six-game road trip, the Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks] are now preparing for a three-game homestand in which they’ll take on a crop of division rivals. Tonight, Vancouver will host the Seattle Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/] at 7:30 pm PT. Their next games are a set of back-to-backs on the weekend, when they’ll take on the Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/] at 1:00 pm PT on Saturday, and the Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/] at 7:00 pm PT on Sunday. It’s very likely that the Canucks’ chance at competing in the playoffs will be dictated during this week, so let’s take a look at how these three games may shape the end of Vancouver’s regular season. Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/]: Abbotsford Canucks Set Franchise Record With 10th Straight Victory [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/game-day/abbotsford-canucks-set-franchise-record-with-10th-straight-victory] "Just Takes A Little Bit Of Getting Used To": Derek Forbort Discusses Playing On The Right Side & The Canucks Recent Success On The Penalty Kill [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/players/just-takes-a-little-bit-of-getting-used-to-derek-forbort-discusses-playing-on-the-right-side-the-canucks-recent-success-on-the-penalty-kill] Canucks Tocchet Provides Injury Updates on Pettersson, Chytil & Höglander [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/canucks-tocchet-provides-injury-updates-on-pettersson-chytil-hglander] Vancouver’s first game of the homestand is against the Kraken, who have already been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with a record of 31–38–6 and 68 points. They come into this game having lost 3–1 to the Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/] on Monday. Seattle holds a relatively steady position towards the middle of the league in terms of most stats — their power play is 24th in the NHL with a success rate of 18.9%, while their penalty kill is 21st with an effectiveness of 76.9%. In the season series, Vancouver has won one of three games against the Kraken, dropping their first game 5–4 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/game-day/canucks-get-goals-and-coals-lose-5-4-in-overtime-to-the-kraken-in-first-game-after-christmas] after letting in four straight Seattle goals. Their only win came in a 4–3 shootout victory [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/game-day/canucks-start-new-year-off-with-a-4-3-shootout-win-against-the-kraken] to start 2025. As it stands, if Vancouver wins in regulation against the Kraken tonight, their playoff odds rise to 9.59% threshold. A regulation loss will drop their chances to 2.19%, as per MoneyPuck.com [https://moneypuck.com/predictions.htm]. The next match Vancouver has at home is against the Ducks on Saturday in the first of the team’s final back-to-back this season. Currently, both Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen are expected to be available to start. Given the fact that Demko started on Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/] and will be starting tonight against Seattle as well, it would make the most sense for Lankinen to take the game against the Ducks to give him some rest. With their 33–33–8 record and 74 points, mathematically speaking, Anaheim has already been eliminated from playoff contention. Right now, their power play is operating at a near league-worst 12.6%, while their penalty kill is 28th with a success rate of 73.6%. Anaheim’s last trip to Vancouver was exactly a month ago, on March 5, in a game that the Canucks narrowly won 3–2 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-bounce-back-with-impressive-3-2-victory-over-the-ducks]. Vancouver takes on Vegas in the second half of this weekend’s back-to-back. The Golden Knights (45–21–8) will also be playing in the second half of a back-to-back, as they take on the Calgary Flames [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/] the night before. As the current Pacific Division leader in points with 98, and a difference of five points between themselves and the next team (the L.A. Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/]), Vegas has already clinched their playoff spot and is expected to play against the team in the Western Conference’s first wild card spot. With a power play percentage of 30.6%, Vegas has the highest-ranked power play in the NHL. One area where Vancouver may be able to take advantage of them, however, is on the penalty kill. Right now, Vegas’ PK is running at a 75.5% effectiveness rating, placing them at 25th behind the Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/], Kraken, and Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/]. Vancouver’s last matchup against the Golden Knights was directly after the 4 Nations Faceoff, in a game that they lost 3–1 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/game-day/canucks-resume-play-after-4-nations-face-off-with-a-31-loss-to-vegas]. Sunday will not be the only time the Canucks face Vegas to round out their season, as the Golden Knights will also be visiting Vancouver on April 16 for game 82. Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwr-DfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. The Hockey News [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7c7a37c1-3b12-4fca-a9a4-6a650286f7de.jpeg] The Hockey News
