Canucks may be making a big line-up change for Game 5

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Cooper Godin
May 15, 2024 (2:31 PM)

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Rick Tocchet and the Canucks players are certainly frustrated with how Game 4 developed on Tuesday night and now the Canucks will be heading back to Vancouver with the series tied at 2-2, rather than the 3-1 lead they were hoping for.

Tocchet and his coaching staff have made some changes in recent games, with Linus Karlsson and Nils Aman coming into the line-up for Games 3 & 4 to replace Nils Hoglander and Phillip Di Giuseppe.

More changes could be coming for Game 5 on Thursday night in Vancouver. Take this news with a grain of salt for now because it hasn't been reported by any insiders or confirmed by the Canucks, but it appears that there is a chance 2022 first round pick Jonathan Lekkerimaki will make his NHL debut in Game 5.

"Wow. Don't know what to make of this. Just had a source tell me there is a really good chance Lekkerimaki is playing Thursday.

That would be insane." @Wiley_Canuck said in a post on X.

Lekkerimaki, 19, has had a very busy season. He's played in the Swedish Hockey League, the World Juniors, came over to North America to play for the Abbotsford Canucks, then returned to Europe for Sweden's World Championship camp. He ultimately never made Sweden's roster and the Canucks brought him back to North America and assigned him to AHL Abbotsford. Unfortunately for Lekkerimaki, the Abbotsford Canucks were eliminated from the playoffs the same day he was assigned to the AHL. Afterward their elimination, the Vancouver Canucks called him up to the NHL, along with a handful of other players and prospects from Abbotsford.

In 46 games for Orebro HK in the Swedish Hockey League, Lekkerimaki had 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists), ten penalty minutes and was a minus-six. He added one assist in three playoff games. Recently, Lekkerimaki was recognized for his strong season, being named SHL Rookie of the Year.

It'll be interesting to see if this does indeed come true and if so, it could give the Canucks a big boost offensively for Game 5 at Rogers Arena. Puck drop for Game 5 tomorrow night is set for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.