The Vancouver Canucks triumphed over the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in dramatic overtime on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, bouncing back from their recent struggles to reclaim playoff positioning.
Conor Garland was the star of the night, scoring his second goal of the game at 4:28 of overtime, securing the win after the Kings had clawed back to tie the game. Garland’s overtime shot, from the left faceoff circle, beat Kings goalie David Rittich under the blocker, marking his 16th goal of the season.
Nils Höglander also found the back of the net for the Canucks, who had taken a comfortable 2-0 lead after the second period and entered the final frame with optimism. Meanwhile, Kevin Lankinen was solid between the pipes, stopping 24 of the 26 shots he faced.
Despite the early dominance displayed by the Canucks, the Kings surged back with two third-period goals. Adrian Kempe and Warren Foegele struck quickly after the Canucks seemed poised for victory. Kempe scored his 26th of the season, cutting the Canucks’ lead to 2-1, before Foegele tied the game at 2-2 with just under six minutes remaining, deflecting Jordan Spence’s shot past Lankinen. This goal was under review for potential interference but was deemed clean, sending the game to overtime.
The Kings had the momentum as they extended their point streak to seven games with this effort. They had previously closed out their six-game homestand with strong results, maintaining pressure and generating opportunities as they sought to stave off the Canucks.
But it was the Canucks who made the most of the overtime period. Following a tripping penalty on Drew O’Connor just under a minute of extra time, Vancouver found themselves with four-on-four play. With their backs against the wall, the Kings couldn't convert during their power-play opportunity, missing out on golden chances as they pressed for the win.
Garland's winning goal was celebrated not just for its importance but also for the circumstances surrounding the game. Just moments before the players took to the ice, the Canucks had navigated through unwanted distractions—specifically, the sewage overflow incident at the arena. Much like Tim Robbins' character from The Shawshank Redemption, who emerged cleansed from despair, the Canucks too overcame their situation on the ice.
Quinn Hughes played his first game after recovering from injury and contributed significantly to the Canucks’ success. Having missed six games due to injury, Hughes was back on the ice, logging nearly 22 minutes and assisting on Garland's winning goal. After the game, Hughes, reflecting on the importance of the win, said, "I mean, it’s a massive win. We need it. Now we can finish the trip 3-2, so that's what we'll try to do."
The win not only snapped the Canucks' two-game losing streak but also propelled them above the Calgary Flames for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, reaffirming their playoff ambitions as they progress through the season.
Lankinen emphasized the team's mentality moving forward, stating, "It feels like every game is like a playoff game now. That’s our mentality, at least. I was proud of the battle tonight. The PK was unreal, and Mysie leading the way there in overtime, showing everybody what it takes to win. Just a huge, huge leadership example for us.”
Next up, the Canucks will continue their California road trip, facing the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Kings will hit the road for four consecutive games, beginning with a clash against Dallas.
This thrilling overtime victory encapsulated the highs and lows of NHL hockey, serving as both a reminder of the unpredictability of the game and the sheer determination of teams fighting for every point. With playoffs on the line and momentum building, the race is far from over as teams like the Canucks strive to secure their spots against formidable opponents.