The big picture

Detroit Red Wings come in 23rd on the ladder; Vancouver Canucks are 31st. Detroit Red Wings have the higher position to protect.

Detroit Red Wings are 7–10 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 2.9 goals for and 3.1 against.

Vancouver Canucks are 3–15 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 2.9 goals for and 4.6 against.

Form

Detroit Red Wings have won two of their last five and most recently lost to Vegas Golden Knights 1–2.

Vancouver Canucks have won one of their last five and most recently lost to Winnipeg Jets 2–6.

Vancouver Canucks have lost their last four.

Head to head

These sides have met 40 times on our records since 2009: Detroit Red Wings 26, Vancouver Canucks 14.

Last time out (2026-27), Detroit Red Wings won 5–2 at Rogers Arena.

Detroit Red Wings have won the last four against Vancouver Canucks.

Biggest margin between these two: Detroit Red Wings by 5 goals in 2022-23 (6–1).

Players to watch

For Detroit Red Wings, watch Alex DeBrincat (0.4 goals a game, 9 assists in 2026-27) and Viktor Arvidsson (0.4 goals a game, 8 assists in 2026-27).

For Vancouver Canucks, watch Brock Boeser (0.4 goals a game, 10 assists in 2026-27) and Liam Ohgren (0.3 goals a game, 3 assists in 2026-27).

At Little Caesars Arena

Detroit Red Wings have won 7 of their last 21 at Little Caesars Arena.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Detroit Red Wings go in as clear favourites.