Vancoucer Canucks making several major lineup changes for Game 5

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Ryan Hall
May 15, 2024 (8:41 PM)

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As the Canucks and the Oilers have their off day, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet appears to be ready to make two major changes to his lineup for Game 5.

Adding Podkolzin, Bains and or Hoglander would change their lineup and give it a different look. Also having Thatcher Demko available sooner than later would be a huge lineup change as Tocchet said that he has improved immensely over the last 72 hours. Canucks goalie Artrus Silovs has given the Canucks time to see where Demko is in his rehab.

«Improved immensely the last 72 hours.»

Tocchet looks to gamble with Lekkeirmaki

But the biggest name change is the possible addition of Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkeirmaki to their lineup which Tocchet feels he's very comfortable with the idea.

�I'm swinging the bat. I'm not scared.'

The 19-year-old Lekkeirmaki was drafted by the Canucks in the 2022 Entry draft, 15th overall. He played the bulk of his year in the Swedish Hockey League on loan with Orebro HK and had played 46 games, scoring 19 goals, 12 assists for 31 points and 10 penalty minutes.

It remains to be seen what Tocchet will do, and Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch with Paul Coffery will need to be ready for their adjustments as Game 5 will be tomorrow May 16th and game time will be at 10 pm eastern.