Goaltender Kevin Lankinen will make his first start with the Vancouver Canucks when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night.

Watch live on Sportsnet Pacific and Sportsnet+ starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

Canucks coach Rick Tocchet confirmed the news following the morning skate. Tocchet also said centre Pius Suter defenceman Noah Juulsen will be in the lineup with centre Nils Aman and defenceman Vincent Desharnais out.

Lankinen signed a one-year, $875,000 contract with Vancouver on Sept. 21.

The 29-year-old from Helsinki, Finland, posted an 11-6-0 record, 2.82 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 24 games with the Nashville Predators last season.

No. 1 netminder Thatcher Demko was placed on the season-opening injured non-roster on Monday.

Demko, 28, didn't suit up for the Canucks in the pre-season and questions about lingering injuries to the goaltender were top of mind during training camp.

Arturs Silovs made 20 saves as the Canucks lost their season-opener 6-5 in overtime Wednesday to the Calgary Flames.

Canucks to start Kevin Lankinen in net against Flyers

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