The Vancouver Giants and Vancouver Canucks are both making significant pushes as the Western Canadian hockey teams look to solidify their playoff positions. On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the Vancouver Giants are set to host the Victoria Royals at the Langley Events Centre, seeking their fifth straight victory after already outscoring opponents 14-4 during their current win streak. The Giants, with an overall record of 32-24-8-0, are currently tied with the Portland Winterhawks for fifth place in the Western Conference.
This game holds considerable importance for the Royals as well, who are battling the Prince George Cougars for the top position in the B.C. Division, sitting just two points behind. The Giants and Royals recently clashed on March 14, with the Giants triumphing 3-1, showcasing their ability to capitalize on opportunities and boost their confidence heading down the stretch. Cameron Schmidt scored twice during the March 14 matchup, raising his season total to 38 goals, and Tyler Thorpe added another goal, contributing to the win.
Burke Hood, the Giants' goaltender, continues to shine this season, boasting 33 saves on 34 shots against Victoria, improving his record to 18-12-6. Hood's save percentage of .939 over his last eleven games has been instrumental for Vancouver as they move closer to sealing good playoff positioning. The Giants are currently 3-4-0 against the Royals this season, demonstrating the intensity of their rivalry.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves at a pivotal moment during their campaign, facing off against the Chicago Blackhawks on the same day. The Canucks have been fighting for the final Wild Card spot and need to take advantage of their rivals' struggles. The Calgary Flames, who lost their most recent games, currently stand at 2-3-2 for March. The St. Louis Blues and Utah Hockey Club also struggled, providing the Canucks with the opportunity to improve their chances by winning against Chicago and Utah.
Tyler Myers has been marked as "probable" to play against the Blackhawks after missing the last game due to injury. Elias “Junior” Pettersson, recovering from concussion protocol following head injury from the March 14 game, also cleared and marked "full go" for Saturday's matchup. Head Coach Rick Tocchet spoke of the confidence the team needs to instill from its players, emphasizing the importance of rallying around their starting goaltender, Arturs Silovs, who is set to be between the pipes against Chicago.
"To me, it didn't matter who we played tonight. I don't think it's fair to see Kevin play three in four nights after the workload he had. And listen, Arty played in the playoffs last year. He's going to have to play. He's gotta go in there with confidence," Tocchet remarked as he discussed the team's lineup changes and strategies.
The Chicago Blackhawks, on the other hand, undergo their own challenges, attempting to rebuild around their franchise cornerstone, Connor Bedard. Despite more points than last season, they sit at the bottom of the league. The projected lines for Chicago, including Bedard alongside Colton Dach and Frank Nazar, will be instrumental for their hopes of taking on the Canucks.
While it’s true the Blackhawks haven’t improved as expected, they have key contributors stepping up, including Ilya Mikheyev, who is on fire with five goals and seven points over his last eight games. This, alongside the drafting of Artyom Levshunov—who was the second overall pick—signals perhaps brighter days are coming. Meanwhile, goaltender Arvid Soderblom has performed above league average, sitting at .905 save percentage which the Canucks will need to be wary of.
The stakes are extremely high for both the Giants and Canucks this weekend. A pair of wins could shift the playoff dynamics dramatically, providing both franchises with renewed hope as they push closer to the playoff pushes they both anticipate. For the Giants, it’s imperative to build on their recent momentum and for the Canucks, the opening is there, all they need to do now is step through. The question remains: will they seize the moment?