The Red Wings arrive in Vancouver with a five‑game point streak and a veteran forward back in the lineup, hoping to turn a shootout loss into a sixth straight night of points.
Key points
- Detroit can extend its point streak to six games if it secures at least a tie in Vancouver.
- J.T. Compher’s return adds face‑off stability and penalty‑kill experience for the Wings.
- Vancouver’s league‑worst GA and deep scoring pool present both a defensive challenge and offensive threat for Detroit.
On Thursday night, Oct. 22, 2026, the Detroit Red Wings will face the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, with a five‑game point streak on the line and the chance to push it to six consecutive games. The matchup kicks off at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET) and will be televised on Detroit SportsNet and heard on the Red Wings Radio Network.
Detroit entered the game with a 3‑3‑3 record and nine points, having extended its streak after a 4‑3 shootout loss to Seattle that featured three unanswered third‑period goals from Viktor Arvidsson, Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat. The Wings have outscored opponents 10‑4 in the final period this season, a trend coach Todd McLellan said reflects a more responsible 5‑on‑5 checking game and improved puck‑breakouts.
Detroit’s recent surge
Forward J.T. Compher, who has been on injured reserve since Oct. 4, was activated Thursday afternoon and is expected to suit up. McLellan praised Compher’s right‑handed face‑off ability, penalty‑killing skill and veteran composure, noting the team “has dearly missed” his contributions and hopes he can quickly find his game after a lengthy layoff.
The Canucks, meanwhile, sit at 2‑8‑1 with five points and carry the NHL’s highest goals‑against average at 4.64 per game. Despite the defensive struggles, 11 Vancouver players have recorded at least two goals this season—the third‑most two‑plus goal scorers in the league—highlighting a depth of scoring that could test Detroit’s goaltending.
Compher’s expected comeback
A side note to the preview: the Red Wings announced emergency backup goaltender Mason Kucenski as their full‑time EBUG, a move highlighted in a team tweet. The game will also be the first of two regular‑season meetings between the clubs, with the return fixture slated for Nov. 25 at Little Caesars Arena.
Reader questions
How many consecutive games has Detroit earned points in?
The Red Wings have earned points in five straight games and will try to make it six on Thursday.
When is J.T. Compher expected to play again?
Compher was activated from injured reserve on Thursday afternoon and is slated to return to the lineup for the game against Vancouver.
Who is the Red Wings’ emergency backup goaltender?
Mason Kucenski has been named the team’s full‑time emergency backup goaltender (EBUG).
Source: nhl.com