The Vancouver Canucks faced a must-win situation against the St. Louis Blues on March 20, 2025, a game with significant playoff implications as both teams were tied for points in the Western Conference standings. Ultimately, the Canucks fell short, losing 4-3 in overtime, marking their fourth consecutive setback in a tightly contested race for postseason play.
The game unfolded dramatically, showcasing the relentless nature of both teams. It began slowly, but by the third period, it erupted into a frantic showdown. St. Louis scored first, then the Canucks rallied back only to have their efforts thwarted in the end. The Blues moved into the second Wild Card spot, pulling two points ahead of Vancouver.
In what started as a low-scoring contest quickly escalated, particularly in the final frame, with the Canucks and Blues trading goals in rapid succession. Midway through the third period, the Blues took a 3-2 lead with two goals scored just 24 seconds apart, underscoring their offensive prowess and quick-strike ability.
The Canucks, however, were not ready to concede. They made a valiant effort to tie the game. Kiefer Sherwood opened the scoring for Vancouver just over a minute into the third period, beating Jordan Binnington with a crisp shot. The Canucks then gained a 2-1 lead, courtesy of Brock Boeser, who netted his first goal of the night following a beautiful setup from Nils Höglander and Elias Pettersson.
But the lead didn’t last long. With just over 10 minutes remaining, Tyler Tucker tied the game for St. Louis, as his shot deflected in off Jake DeBrusk. Mere moments later, Dylan Holloway struck again, putting the Blues ahead 3-2 after finishing off a slick play that left Lankinen powerless.
With time running out and the Canucks facing potential defeat, an unexpected opportunity arose when Justin Faulk cleared the puck into the Vancouver bench, granting the Canucks a final offensive zone faceoff with just 17 seconds left. They capitalized on this chance, as the clock wound down. Quinn Hughes made an incisive pass to Pettersson, who found Boeser in prime scoring position. Boeser unleashed a stunning slap shot that blazed past Binnington with merely 3.9 seconds left, pulling the Canucks level with a dramatic tie.
“It was an incredible goal that ought to have stood up as a legendary moment, if only they had been able to win in overtime,” one observer remarked, capturing the sentiment of Canucks fans who saw flashes of brilliance from their team.
Yet, overtime turned into a different episode. The Canucks struggled defensively, and after some missed chances, they were caught on a bad line change. A critical moment arose when Phillip Broberg capitalized on a 2-on-1 break, finishing a well-read play with a deft move past Lankinen, securing a 4-3 victory for the Blues.
For the Canucks, this loss prompted reflections on their season, particularly their overtime record, which now stood at 12 losses—an issue they acknowledged they need to address if they hope to reach the playoffs.
Postgame, Head Coach Rick Tocchet noted, “When you don’t have speed, just throw it back and get some fresh people out there,” underscoring the need for better execution in critical moments. “We did a nice job in overtime in Calgary... But tonight, we aborted the plan.”
Boeser, who scored twice in the game, also recognized the team’s shortcomings. “We know that we need to have good line changes and possession of the puck,” he stated. “It was just unfortunate. I thought we battled hard and we fought to the end and it was a huge point for us.”
The Canucks have faced multiple challenges this season, including injuries to key players like Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko, as well as a tumultuous locker room atmosphere after the departure of J.T. Miller. Elias Pettersson also experienced a dip in performance, adding to the pressure they faced.
Despite these hurdles, players showed glimpses of resilience, particularly in the final moments against the Blues—a testament to their fighting spirit even amid an arduous season.
The Canucks, now standing at 32-25-12, must regroup quickly as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against the New York Rangers. The battle for playoff positioning intensifies, and each game moves closer to the end of the regular season.
Fans remain hopeful, yearning for the Canucks to harness their late-game moments into sustainable success. Whether they can turn the tide in the coming weeks will determine the outcome of a season fraught with challenges.
