12/05/2025 – CanucksBanter

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

December 5, 2025

This is a contest for two teams trending in opposite directions.

The Vancouver Canucks return to Rogers Arena in desperate need of a reset.

Following a tough road trip and a three-game losing skid, they have slipped to the bottom of the league standings (32nd overall as of this morning).

The pressure is mounting on the core group to put an end to this slide before the playoff picture is completely out of reach.

Opposite are the Utah Mammoth, who come to Rogers Arena with momentum on their side. They are coming off a dominant 7-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday—their first shutout in franchise history.

Utah currently sit at the .518 mark, tied for 21st in the NHL and are fighting to solidify a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Canucks in Crisis Mode: As I have written about extensively, Vancouver’s recent form has been alarming.

They have lost six of their last ten games in regulation and are struggling to keep the puck out of their net (league-worst 3.63 GAA).
With the offense also sputtering (23rd in goals per game), the focus tonight is purely on structure and desperation. Head Coach Adam Foote will be looking for a simpler, grittier game to stop the bleeding.

Utah’s Youth Movement: The Mammoth are proving to be a dangerous opponent at this time of the season.

Their young guns are firing; JJ Peterka is fresh off a 4-point night (2G, 2A) against Anaheim, and Logan Cooley leads the team with 23 points.
When their offense clicks, they play with a speed that could be double trouble for a fragile Canucks defense.

Injury Watch & Lineup Notes

Vancouver: Sportsnet 650 (Brendan Batchelor) and The Hockey Writers report that Demko is targeting a return on December 11 against the Buffalo Sabres.
Kevin Lankinen is the likely starter, tasked with stabilizing the team.
Conor Garland is a potential returnee, PuckPedia and Sportsnet reports indicate he participated in practice in a non-contact jersey. His expected return is tentatively set for tomorrow, December 6.
Evander Kane is listed as Probable / Day-to-Day. Iain MacIntyre (Sportsnet) reported that Kane suffered a laceration to his forearm from a skate blade during the game against Colorado on Tuesday. Head Coach Adam Foote confirmed it was a scare but stated the injury is “not expected to be significant,” and he is likely available for tonight.
Nils Höglander (F): listed on IR-LT (Lower Body). Adam Foote (via media availability) confirmed Höglander is also targeting the December 11 game for his return.
Utah: Karel Vejmelka is expected to start after his 27-save shutout performance on Wednesday.

Statistical Look

Category	Utah	Rank	Canucks	Rank	Edge
Record	13-12-3	4th (Central)	10-14-3	8th (Pacific)	Utah
Goals For / Game	3.11	12th	2.89	23rd	Utah
Goals Against / Game	2.96	14th	3.63	32nd	Utah
Shots For / Game	29.1	11th	26.5	22nd	Utah
Shots Against / Game	24.4	2nd	30.1	25th	Utah
Power Play %	14.1%	28th	20.7%	13th	Vancouver
Penalty Kill %	81.3%	16th	72.0%	29th	Utah
Faceoff Win %	47.4%	t-25th	47.3%	t-27th	Even