Canucks Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Lankinen, Pettersson & Bad PK/Team Defence

The Hockey Writers highlights the Vancouver Canucks' struggles during an active four-game losing streak, pointing to poor goaltending, team defense, and a struggling penalty kill. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen holds a 1-5-0 record with a 6.88 goals-against average and a .786 save percentage, while Vancouver leads the NHL with 35 total goals allowed under head coach Manny Malhotra.

The writer notes that Vancouver's penalty kill ranks last in the league at 52 percent, allowing 12 power-play goals. Despite the team's defensive issues, young players Jonathan Lekkerimaki and defenseman Elias Pettersson have emerged as bright spots, with Pettersson scoring two goals, recording 23 hits, and registering a plus-6 rating.