By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

October 17, 2025

The Vancouver Canucks head into a challenging back-to-back situation against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight, and will try to make it consecutive wins after ending their two game winless streak against the Stars with a convincing 5-3 win last night.

The Back-to-Back Challenge

The most critical factor for Vancouver is the rest disadvantage. Playing on consecutive nights, the Canucks will likely start backup goaltender Kevin Lankinen against his former team, allowing Thatcher Demko to rest.

The team will need to rely on the depth and momentum generated from last night’s rally in Dallas to secure two points.

Blackhawks: High-Flying Offense

Chicago’s young core is clicking offensively. They have a high goal-scoring rate early in the season with 16 goals scored, allowing 11 in their last 4-games and are riding a two-game win streak, including a statement-making 8-3 victory in their previous game in St. Louis against the Blues on Wednesday night.

They will have the rest advantage at home, which gives them a distinct edge tonight. Expect a fast-paced game from the Blackhawks as they look to put pressure on Vancouver’s likely backup netminder.

Goaltending Matchup

• Canucks: Expected to be Kevin Lankinen (0-1-0, 4.09 GAA, .886 SV%).
• Blackhawks: Likely starter is Spencer Knight (1-2-0, 2.35 GAA, .920 SV%)

Players to Watch

Canucks:

• Quinn Hughes:
  • Is coming off a 2-point performance (1G, 1A) last night. His ability to break the Blackhawks’ defensive coverage will be key to the Canucks in them being able to get the win.
• Filip Cytil:
  • Continues to play well, scored last night and has a team-leading 3 goals tied with Brock Boeser and Kiefer Sherwood. This season he is a primary offensive threat, who has been bringing energy and scoring depth, and is likely to continue the same tonight.

Blackhawks:

• Conor Bedard:
  • Is leading the team with 6 points (2G, 4A) in 5 games. He’s coming off a 3-assist night and is a threat to put up multiple points.
• Teuvo Teravainen:
  • Tied with Bedard with 6 points (1G, 5A). He is an offensive catalyst for Chicago at this point of the season.

Importance of the Game

• Vancouver:
  • Momentum & Road Trip: This is the second game of a long road trip. A win would continue the momentum and move the team above the 0.500 mark. It would also be significant if the team can perform effectively in back-to-back situations.
  • Confidence in Depth: A win with a likely backup goalie and potentially tired legs builds trust in the entire roster and confidence in their ability to compete.

• Chicago:
  • Evening the Record: A win would bring the Blackhawks’ record to 3-2-1 (7 points), continuing to impress on their season start, and even their record after three losses to begin the season.
  • Offensive Validation: Chicago’s offence is hot. Sustaining that high-scoring pace against the Canucks would reinforce the offensive threat posed by the youthful roster.

Until next time, hockey fans