The Vancouver Canucks (13-17-3) take on the New York Islanders (19-12-3) in an inter-conference clash. The Canucks are struggling to find consistency in the Pacific Division, while the Islanders are pushing for a top spot in the Metropolitan with strong home play. Below is a full breakdown of the matchup.
Venue Location
The game will be held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. This modern 17,255-capacity venue opened in 2021 and is known for its fan-friendly design and electric atmosphere during Islanders home games.
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET.
The matchup will be televised on NHL Network and available for streaming on Fubo.
Team Records
Vancouver Canucks: 13-17-3 (29 points, 8th in Pacific Division)
New York Islanders: 19-12-3 (41 points, 2nd in Metropolitan Division)
Vancouver has struggled with defensive lapses and injuries, while the Islanders have balanced scoring and solid goaltending to maintain a strong position.
Recent Team Forms
The Islanders enter with better momentum, winning six of their last 10, compared to Vancouver’s four wins. Vancouver has a goal differential of -6 in their last 10 (24 goals for, 30 against), while New York is +7 (31-24).
Vancouver Canucks Last 10 Games:
4-5-1 record.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Notes |
| Dec 16 | vs. New York Rangers | W | 3-0 | Shutout win; strong goaltending |
| Dec 14 | at New Jersey Devils | W | 2-1 | Close road victory |
| Dec 11 | vs. Buffalo Sabres | L | 2-3 | Late collapse |
| Dec 8 | vs. Detroit Red Wings | L | 0-4 | Shutout loss; offensive struggles |
| Dec 6 | vs. Minnesota Wild | W | 4-2 | Balanced scoring |
| Dec 5 | vs. Utah Mammoth | L | 1-4 | Defensive breakdowns |
| Dec 2 | at Colorado Avalanche | L | 1-3 | Limited shots |
| Nov 29 | at Los Angeles Kings | L (OT) | 1-2 | Point earned in overtime |
| Nov 28 | at San Jose Sharks | L | 2-3 | Road trip woes |
| Nov 26 | at Anaheim Ducks | W | 5-4 | High-scoring comeback |
New York Islanders Last 10 Games:
6-2-2 record.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Notes |
| Dec 16 | vs. Detroit Red Wings | L | 2-3 | Tight defensive battle |
| Dec 13 | vs. Tampa Bay Lightning | W (SO) | 3-2 | Shootout heroics |
| Dec 11 | vs. Anaheim Ducks | W | 5-2 | Offensive outburst |
| Dec 9 | vs. Vegas Golden Knights | W (SO) | 5-4 | Comeback in shootout |
| Dec 7 | at Florida Panthers | L | 1-4 | Road shut down |
| Dec 6 | at Tampa Bay Lightning | W | 2-0 | Shutout road win |
| Dec 4 | vs. Colorado Avalanche | W | 6-3 | High-scoring home dominance |
| Dec 2 | vs. Tampa Bay Lightning | W | 2-1 | Low-scoring grinder |
| Nov 30 | vs. Washington Capitals | L | 1-4 | Power play inefficiency |
| Nov 28 | vs. Philadelphia Flyers | L (SO) | 3-4 | Shootout loss after tie |
Injury Report
Injuries are impacting both teams, with Vancouver missing key offensive pieces and the Islanders dealing with long-term absences on defense and in goal.
Vancouver Canucks:
Elias Pettersson (C): Out (Upper Body/IR, placed Dec 14).
Teddy Blueger (C): Out (Lower Body/IR).
Nils Hoglander (LW): Out (Ankle).
Derek Forbort (D): Out (Undisclosed/IR-LT).
New York Islanders:
Alexander Romanov (D): Out for Season (Shoulder/Upper Body).
sportsbookwire.usatoday.com +1
Kyle Palmieri (C/RW): Out for Season (Knee).
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Semyon Varlamov (G): Out (Undisclosed).
Pierre Engvall (LW): Out (Undisclosed).
Jonathan Drouin (LW): Day-to-Day (Back).
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C): Day-to-Day (Upper Body).
These injuries weaken Vancouver’s top-six forwards and the Islanders’ blue line, potentially leading to a lower-scoring affair.
Player Matchups
This game highlights speed and defense, with Vancouver’s depleted offense facing New York’s structured system. Key stats from the season:
Quinn Hughes (VAN, D, 2G-20A-22P) vs. Mathew Barzal (NYI, C, 9G-17A-26P): Hughes’ puck-moving ability will test Barzal’s elusive skating and playmaking in transition.
Brock Boeser (VAN, RW, 9G-8A-17P) vs. Bo Horvat (NYI, C, 19G-12A-31P): Horvat, a former Canuck, brings physicality and scoring against Boeser’s shot threat; expect emotional play.
Kiefer Sherwood (VAN, LW, 13G-4A-17P) vs. Anders Lee (NYI, LW, 8G-13A-21P): Net-front battles, with both excelling in gritty areas.
Goaltending: Thatcher Demko (VAN, 2.45 GAA, .910 SV%) vs. Ilya Sorokin (NYI, 2.52 GAA, .910 SV%): A matchup of elite netminders; Demko’s rebound control vs. Sorokin’s athleticism could decide a tight game.
Vancouver averages 2.73 GPG (28th) and allows 3.39 (29th), while New York scores 2.91 (21st) and allows 2.74 (8th).
Series History
The teams have met 128 times in the regular season, with the Islanders holding a 61-55-12 edge.
Vancouver has dominated recently, going 4-1-0 in the last five meetings, including a 5-2 win on March 26, 2025.
In playoffs, New York leads 2-0 in series (1982, 1994). Games average 5.9 goals, often hitting the over, especially at UBS Arena (over in last eight home games for NYI vs. VAN).
Betting Trends
The Islanders are favored at home, with sharp money on the under due to strong goaltending and recent unders.
Canucks are 5-12 SU in last 17 games; 4-1 SU in last 5 vs. Islanders.
Islanders are 6-2 SU in last 8 games; 5-0 SU in last 5 at home.
Under has hit in 8 of Vancouver’s last 9 games and 13 of Islanders’ last 17.
Over in 10 of last 10 head-to-head; over in 8 of last 8 at NYI vs. VAN.
Game Odds
Vancouver Canucks 5.5
New York Islanders – 135
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 18, 2025
