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The Vancouver Canucks’ projected lineup and starting goaltender have been announced for tonight’s road trip opener against the Pacific Division leading Anaheim Ducks.

Following a disappointing homestand, with losses against the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames, the Vancouver Canucks will look to turn things around as they kick off a four-game road trip tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, who currently lead the Pacific Division with a 14-7-1 record.

Adam Foote’s group will be at least starting this road trip with a goaltending tandem of Jiri Patera and Nikita Tolopilo and after the morning skate on Wednesday, the Canucks’ bench boss revealed who will be getting the start between the pipes.

Vancouver Canucks’ projected lineup, starting goaltender announced for game vs Anaheim Ducks

In a post on X this morning, Dan Murphy of Sportsnet revealed that Belarusian netminder Nikita Tolopilo will be getting the start tonight for the Canucks, marking his third appearance in the National Hockey League.

The Minsk, Belarus native made his NHL debut on April 14th against the San Jose Sharks, picking up the win in overtime, and also suited up two days later against the Vegas Golden Knights.

In two games, Tolopilo has a 1-1-0 record with a 2.14 goals against average and an .885 save percentage.

When it comes to Vancouver’s forward lines and defensive pairings, there are just two changes to talk about as Arshdeep Bains comes in for Mackenzie MacEachern, who was sent down to the AHL on Monday, while Marcus Pettersson slides down to the third pair to play with Tom Willander & Elias Pettersson is now on the second pair with Tyler Myers.

Vancouver’s top three lines will remain intact to start the road trip, with Elias Pettersson centering Evander Kane & Jake DeBrusk, David Kampf is with Conor Garland & Brock Boeser, while the team’s leading goal scorer Kiefer Sherwood is skating with Drew O’Connor & Aatu Raty.

“#canucks Lines in ANA:

Kane-EP40-DeBrusk
Garland-Kampf-Boeser
DOC-Raty-Sherwood
Bains-Sasson-Karlsson

Hughes-Filip
DPetey-Myers
MP3-Willander

Tolopilo” Murphy said on X.

Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily

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Vancouver Canucks make key moves and confirm their starting goalie before facing Anaheim Ducks

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