Vancouver Canucks explained: why they’re trending

Published October 22, 2026 at 11:15 p.m. · 10 sources · 1000+ searches today

The Vancouver Canucks are trending in Canada because they were set to host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, October 22, 2026, while sitting in a major skid. Vancouver entered the game at 2-8-1 and had lost eight straight, which put the team’s lineup decisions and goaltending under extra scrutiny.

Key facts

Oct. 22, 2026: Canucks vs. Red Wings at 10 p.m. ET
Vancouver entered the game 2-8-1; Detroit was 3-3-3
Canucks had lost eight straight, with one OT loss in that run
Marco Rossi was projected to return for Vancouver
Starting goalie was unclear: Kevin Lankinen in one report, Meriläinen in another

Why the Canucks are trending today

That stretch included only one loss in overtime, which added to the pressure around the team’s performance. In a season where results had already become a talking point, even routine pre-game lineup notes were getting extra attention.

What was known about the lineup

Goaltending was also uncertain before puck drop. One lineup report had Kevin Lankinen starting, while another projected Jakob Markström Meriläinen, so the final starter was not clear from the available reports.

Liam Öhgren’s status also remained a discussion point. Some reporting suggested he needed more goals to avoid being scratched, but projected lineups differed on whether he would actually play.

Prospects also became part of the conversation

Cootes, a 19-year-old in the AHL, had recently scored his first AHL goal and then followed it with a multipoint game, a power-play goal and a game-winner. Malhotra, meanwhile, scored his first NCAA goal for Boston University on October 3 in a 4-0 win over Alaska.

What to watch next

If Vancouver’s top centres were finally together again, that could change the team’s attack and give Malhotra a more settled lineup. If not, the Canucks would continue to be a daily talking point because of the uncertainty around personnel and results.

Frequently asked

Why are the Vancouver Canucks trending today?

They were trending because they were scheduled to host the Detroit Red Wings on October 22, 2026, while on an eight-game losing streak. Vancouver entered the game at 2-8-1, which made the matchup a major talking point in Canada.

What time is the Canucks game on October 22, 2026?

The game was listed for 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 22, 2026. It was shown on Sportsnet channels in Canada and Detroit Sports Network.

What is the Canucks’ record as of October 22, 2026?

Vancouver entered the matchup at 2-8-1. Detroit came in at 3-3-3.

Who was expected to return for Vancouver?

Marco Rossi was projected to return for the Canucks. Reports said his return would give Manny Malhotra his top three centres together for only the second time this season.

Sources

Researched automatically from live news and written by Simpledot's AI; facts are limited to what the sources above report as of the published time. Spot an error? Tell us.