The New York Islanders (26-17-5) visit the Vancouver Canucks (16-27-5) in a cross-conference matchup at Rogers Arena. The Islanders, second in the Metropolitan Division with 57 points, are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Flames but have been strong defensively, allowing 2.98 goals per game (12th in NHL). The Canucks, last in the Pacific Division with 37 points, are mired in a 10-game losing streak and have the league’s worst goal differential (-45). Injuries plague both sides, with the Islanders missing key forwards and the Canucks without their starting goalie and several depth players. This could be a low-scoring grind, but the Islanders’ superior form gives them the edge in a projected 4-2 win.
Venue Location
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia. This 18,910-seat venue, home to the Canucks since 2010, is known for its passionate crowds but has been a tough spot for Vancouver this season, with a 4-13-3 home record.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT, 7:00 p.m. local time in Vancouver). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, MSGSN2 (Islanders market), and KHN/Prime, KING 5, KONG (Canucks market).
Recent Team Forms
The Islanders have been inconsistent, going 5-5-0 in their last 10 with a -1 goal differential, including a recent 4-2 loss to Calgary. The Canucks are in freefall, 0-10-0 in their last 10 with a -40 goal differential, extending their losing streak after a 6-0 shutout loss to Edmonton.
Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last 10 games:
| Date | Opponent | Result (Islanders) | Score |
| Jan 17 | @ CGY | L | 2-4 |
| Jan 15 | @ EDM | W | 1-0 |
| Jan 13 | @ WPG | L | 4-5 |
| Jan 10 | @ MIN | W (OT) | 4-3 |
| Jan 8 | vs NSH | L (SO) | 1-2 |
| Jan 6 | vs NJD | W | 9-0 |
| Jan 3 | vs TOR | W | 4-3 |
| Jan 1 | vs UTA | L | 2-7 |
| Dec 30 | @ WSH | W | 4-3 |
| Dec 28 | vs WSH | L | 2-4 |
Overall: 5-5-0 in last 10 (-1 goal differential).
| Date | Opponent | Result (Canucks) | Score |
| Jan 17 | vs EDM | L | 0-6 |
| Jan 15 | vs CBJ | L | 1-4 |
| Jan 13 | vs OTT | L | 1-2 |
| Jan 12 | @ CBJ | L | 3-6 |
| Jan 10 | @ DET | L | 0-5 |
| Jan 8 | @ BUF | L | 1-5 |
| Jan 6 | @ TOR | L | 3-5 |
| Jan 3 | vs BOS | L | 2-3 |
| Jan 2 | vs SEA | L | 3-4 |
| Jan 1 | vs NSH | L | 1-4 |
Overall: 0-10-0 in last 10 (-40 goal differential).
Injury Report
New York Islanders:
Semyon Varlamov (G): Out – Knee (IR, expected return Feb 26, 2026).
Alexander Romanov (D): Out For Season – Shoulder (surgery).
Bo Horvat (C): Out – Lower Body (expected return Jan 24, 2026).
Kyle Palmieri (C): Injured reserve – Knee.
Pierre Engvall (LW): Out – Ankle (long-term IR).
Vancouver Canucks:
Thatcher Demko (G): Injured reserve – Lower Body (placed on IR Jan 11, 2026).
Marco Rossi (C): Injured reserve – Lower Body (expected return Jan 27, 2026).
Kiefer Sherwood (LW): Day-to-Day – Undisclosed (could miss up to a week).
Filip Chytil (C): Injured reserve – Upper Body (expected return Jan 21, 2026).
Derek Forbort (D): Out – Undisclosed.
Guillaume Brisebois (D): Out – Undisclosed.
Key
Player Matchups
Injuries ravage both rosters, with Islanders missing their captain and top goalie, and Canucks without their starter and several forwards/defensemen.
Mathew Barzal (NYI F) vs. J.T. Miller (VAN F): Barzal leads Islanders with 2 assists in recent games; Miller counters with playmaking.
Anders Lee (NYI F) vs. Elias Pettersson (VAN F): Lee (physical forward) vs. Pettersson (skill center).
Simon Holmstrom (NYI F) vs. Jake DeBrusk (VAN F): Holmstrom (recent 6 goals) vs. DeBrusk (scoring touch).
Ilya Sorokin (NYI G) vs. Arturs Silovs (VAN G): Sorokin (recent shutout) vs. Silovs (filling in for Demko).
Other keys: Islanders’ power play (25.8%, top-10) vs. Canucks’ penalty kill (76.8%, bottom-10). Canucks’ home possession vs. Islanders’ counterattacks.
Series History
The Islanders lead the all-time series 59-43-21 (103 games). In away games for Vancouver (home for Islanders?), Canucks won 22, Islanders 33, drew 10. Recent: Canucks 4-1-0 in last 5, including W 4-3 OT (11/15/2023). Unders have hit in 3 of last 5. Islanders are 51-56-16 in regular season vs Canucks.
Betting Trends
Over/Under: Set at 6.5, over +114 / under -140. Under is 5-1 in Islanders’ last 6; over is 4-1 in Canucks’ last 5 home.
Other Trends: Islanders 5-5 SU in last 10 road; Canucks 0-10 SU in last 10 overall. Islanders 7-8 SU as -142 favorites; series unders in 3/5.
Game Odds
New York Islanders – 142
Vancouver Canucks 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 18, 2026
