The Vancouver Canucks have made a notable lineup change ahead of their clash with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday. Head Coach Adam Foote has opted to make veteran forward David Kampf a healthy scratch for this matchup. This marks the first time since his signing in mid-November that Kampf will not participate in a game.
Overview of the Matchup
The Penguins have been on an impressive western road trip, winning games against the Seattle Kraken, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers. They have scored a total of 16 goals while allowing only 6. This Sunday, they are looking to complete a sweep of their road trip before returning home to Pittsburgh for an upcoming game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Canucks’ Recent Performance
On the other hand, the Canucks are aiming to avoid a season sweep after suffering a 5-1 defeat to the Penguins back in October. Their recent performance at home has shown improvement, and they are eager to continue building momentum.
Goalie and Lineup Updates
- Goaltender Kevin Lankinen will start for the fourth consecutive game.
- Nikita Tolopilo, called up under emergency conditions, will serve as the backup goalie.
- Max Sasson returns to the lineup after a brief absence.
- David Kampf will be scratched, paving the way for Sasson’s return.
Player Statistics
During his time with the Canucks this season, Kampf has played in 30 games. His contributions include:
- Two goals
- Four assists
- Six penalty minutes
- A minus-seven rating
Projected Lineup for Vancouver
| Forward Line 1 | Evander Kane — Elias Pettersson — Jake DeBrusk |
|---|---|
| Forward Line 2 | Drew O’Connor — Filip Chytil — Brock Boeser |
| Forward Line 3 | Liam Ohgren — Teddy Blueger — Conor Garland |
| Forward Line 4 | Nils Hoglander — Max Sasson — Linus Karlsson |
| Defense Pair 1 | Elias Nils Pettersson — Filip Hronek |
| Defense Pair 2 | Zeev Buium — Tyler Myers |
| Defense Pair 3 | Marcus Pettersson — Tom Willander |
| Goalie | Kevin Lankinen |
The Canucks are poised for a pivotal game against a strong Penguins team. With fresh strategies and lineup adjustments, they will aim for a successful outcome this Sunday.
