Canucks Project Leevi Merilainen vs. Wild as Quinn Hughes Returns, Oct. 25, 2026

Canucks: Leevi Merilainen, expected. Vancouver hosts Minnesota on Sunday (10 p.m. ET), and The Hockey News' Canucks lineup notes project Merilainen to start because Kevin Lankinen played Thursday. NHL.com's projected lineup also lists Merilainen first, with Lankinen as backup and Thatcher Demko injured (hip). The morning skate was optional, so there was no formal confirmation.

The Hockey News says Merilainen's last start was Tuesday against Carolina, when he stopped 38 of 43 shots, and that this would be his sixth start of the season. The Canucks' game notes say he is 2-1-0 with a .944 save percentage and one shutout in three career appearances against the Wild. Vancouver comes in at 2-9-1 on a nine-game losing streak.

Wild: Calvin Pickard, confirmed. Coach John Hynes set the back-to-back plan on Saturday: Jesper Wallstedt in Seattle, Pickard in Vancouver, as reported by The Hockey News. NHL.com notes the Wild won 5-1 in Seattle and skipped their morning skate. It is also Quinn Hughes' first game in Vancouver since the Canucks traded him last December.

For more on Minnesota's side, see our Pickard report. Live status for every game is on the NHL starting goalies board. Nothing here is betting advice.