Vancouver Canucks (29-33-5), 6th in the Pacific Division) vs Los Angeles Kings (40-20-9), 2nd in the Pacific Division).
Los Angeles, California; Saturday, 7 p.m. PDT
Vancouver continues a three game road trip in Los Angeles tonight, concluding tomorrow against the Anaheim Ducks.
Canucks Last Game
Canucks had their five-game winning streak snapped against the Arizona Coyotes in the first game of the road trip on Thursday night, 3-2.
Elias Pettersson had a goal and had an assist. Anthony Beauvillier had two assists. Andrei Kuzmenko continued his fine play with a goal. Thatcher Demko stopped 24 out of 27 shots faced.
At-A-Glance
Kings
Kings are 4-0-1 in their last 5-games; 8-1-1 in the last 10-games.
Los Angeles is 22-9-3 at home, with a 2-game win streak.
The Kings have given up 222 goals while scoring 231 for a +9 scoring differential.
LA is 27-6-3 when they score first.
Canucks
Canucks are 4-1-0 in their last 5-games; 7-3-0 in last 10-games.
They are 4-8-2 in their last 14-road games in 2023.
Vancouver has a 13-16-4 record in road games, with a 1-game losing streak.
The Canucks sport a 25-6-2 record in games they score 4+ goals.
Vancouver is 4-27-3 when they score 3-goals or less.
They are 16-11-3 when they score first.
The Canucks have given up 253 goals while scoring 231 for a -22 scoring differential.
Canucks Vs KingsComparisons
Source: nhl.com
Streaking Canucks
Elias Pettersson has 19 points (6-15-21) in his last 13 games.
Quinn Hughes has 16 points (0-16-16) in his last 17 games.
Andrei Kuzmenko has 17 points (12-5-17) in his last 14 games.
J.T. Miller has 14 points (7-7-14) in his last 12 games.
Anthony Beauvillier has 16 points (7-9-16) in his last 16 games.
Brock Boeser has seven points (1-6-7) in his last seven games.
Thatcher Demko Playing Like An All-Star
Since his return from injury, Demko has 5 wins in 7 games, a .923 SV% (save percentage), and a GAA (goals against average) of 2.30.
Who Wins?
Both teams have been hot recently. The Los Angeles Kings have won seven of their last eight games. Vancouver has won five of their last six games. Both teams have been good on offense this season. Vancouver ranks 11th and LA ranks 10th in goals per game. Defense and goaltending are two advantages for the Kings. LA ranks 17th in goals against per game and fifth in shots against per game. The Canucks rank 31st in goals against per game and 14th in shots against per game. Los Angeles has been good playing at home. They have a 22-9-3 home record on the year. Playing at home, Los Angeles will win this matchup by two or more goals.
by Canucks Communications @Canucks / Vancouver Canucks
CANUCKS AT FLYERS PREVIEW
TV: Sportsnet Pacific
Radio: Sportsnet 650
MATCH-UP INFO
Tonight marks the first of two meetings between the Canucks and Flyers this season: Oct. 15 (away), Feb. 18 (home).
The Canucks are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games vs Philadelphia (2-3-0 in their last five).
The Canucks have a 37-73-13-4 all-time record in 127 games against the Flyers, including a 22-40-1-2 record on the road.
Since 2010, the Canucks hold a 10-7-2 record against Philadelphia, including a 3-2-0 record in the month of October.
Among active Canucks skaters, J.T. Miller leads the team in career points vs Philadelphia with 16 points (9-7-16-) in 26 games.
Thatcher Demko is 1-1-0 in his career against Philadelphia with a 2.94 GAA and .913 save-percentage.
Spencer Martin has yet to face the Philadelphia Flyers in his career.
LAST MEETING – OCT. 28/21: VAN 1 vs PHI 2
Quinn Hughes tied the game with his second goal of the season at 2:15 in the first period, just 113 seconds after Philadelphia opened the scoring…Luke Schenn and Matthew Highmore both collected assists on the play…Oliver Ekman-Larsson registered a team-high in shots (5)…Luke Schenn recorded seven hits for a Canucks season-high at that point in the season…Bo Horvat won a season-high 17 face-offs…Quinn Hughes led the club in TOI (28:06) for the second consecutive game and fifth time this season…Jaroslav Halak made 26 saves.
LAST GAME PLAYED – OCT. 12/22: VAN 3 at EDM 5
Elias Pettersson notched Vancouver’s first goal of the 2022.23 campaign just 1:49 into the opening frame, unassisted…J.T. Miller added to Vancouver’s lead just 51 seconds later, assisted by Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes…Andrei Kuzmenko scored his first career NHL goal on the power play…J.T. Miller posted a two-point game with the primary assist while Bo Horvat drew the second assist…Elias Pettersson led the team in shots (5)…Luke Schenn registered team-highs in hits (6) and blocks (4)…Thatcher Demko faced 24 shots.
LAST 5 vs PHILADELPHIA
Oct. 28/21: VAN 1 vs PHI 2
Oct. 15/21: VAN 5 @ PHI 4 (SO)
Nov. 25/19: VAN 1 @ PHI 2
Oct. 12/19: VAN 3 vs PHI 2 (SO)
Feb.4/22: VAN 1 @ PHI 2
CLOSING IN ON 600
Currently holding a career regular season coaching record of 599-318-125, Bruce Boudreau is just one win shy of becoming the 22nd coach in NHL history and just the fifth active head coach to reach 600 regular season wins. Among coaches with 600 wins to their name, Boudreau’s .635 points percentage would rank second only to Scotty Bowman (.657).
HOMEGROWN TALENT
Making his 137th NHL regular season appearance on Oct. 12 at EDM, Thatcher Demko gained sole possession of most games played in franchise history by a Canucks-drafted goaltender, surpassing Glen Hanlon’s mark of 136 games. Demko also currently stands just five wins away from tying Gary Smith for sixth-most wins among all goalies in Canucks history.
QUICK START
Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller combined goals for a 2-0 Canucks lead just 2:40 into the season opener on Oct. 12 at EDM, marking the fastest two goals to begin a season in franchise history, 75 seconds faster than the previous team mark (3:55 on Oct. 5 vs CGY). The goals also marked the eighth-fastest two-goal start in any game in Canucks history.
KUZMENK-GOAL
Cashing in on the power play for his first NHL goal on Oct. 12 vt EDM, Andrei Kuzmenko became the 21st Canucks skater to score in his NHL debut and the first to do so on the man-advantage.
ROAD READY
The Canucks begin their 2022.23 season on a five-game road trip from Oct. 12-20, which will match team’s longest road of the season (also Nov. 8-15 and Jan. 8-15). Vancouver also began last season on a season-high six-game road trip, compiling a 3-2-1 record.
NEW FACES IN 2022.23
A total of five players made their Canucks debut in the season opener on Wednesday, October 12 at Edmonton. Ilya Mikheyev (IR) is the only player on Vancouver’s roster to not yet make his Canucks debut:
Nils Aman registered 10:02 in TOI in his Canucks debut, picking up two hits. The forward agreed to terms on an entry level contract on June 7 after posting 14 points (6-8-14) and eight penalty minutes in 51 games with Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League last season.
Dakota Joshua collected three hits in his Canucks debut. He agreed to terms on a two-year contract on July 13. Joshua appeared in 30 regular season games with the St. Louis Blues last season, notching eight points (3-5-8) and 16 penalty minutes.
Andrei Kuzmenko notched his first NHL goal on the power play in Vancouver’s season opener. The winger officially signed with the Canucks on July 13 after announcing his intention to sign with the club in June. Kuzmenko led St. Petersburg SKA (KHL) in scoring last season with 53 points (20-33-53) and a +15 rating in 45 games.
Curtis Lazar recorded one blocked shot, one hit, and two takeaways in his Vancouver debut. The centre agreed to terms on a three-year deal on July 13. Last season, the Salmon Arm, BC native registered 16 points (8-8-16) and 16 penalty minutes in 70 games with the Boston Bruins.
Riley Stillman was +1 in his Canucks debut, posting two shots and four hits. He was acquired from Chicago on October 7 in exchange for Jason Dickinson and a 2024 second round pick. Stillman appeared in 52 games last season with the Blackhawks, recording a career-high 12 points (2-10-12) and leading the team in hits per 60 minutes (9.34).
Injured Reserve:
Ilya Mikheyev signed a four-year contract with Vancouver on July 13. In 2021.22, Mikheyev tallied 32 points (21-11-32) in 53 games with Toronto, setting career-highs in games goals, points, and plus-minus (+16).
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