The Vancouver Canucks took to the ice against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night, aiming to continue their strong momentum after a successful run leading up to the NHL's two-week break. Despite their determination, the Canucks fell short, losing 3-1 against the Golden Knights, who now sit at the top of the Pacific Division.
The matchup began with the Canucks demonstrating resilience during the first period, successfully killing all three power plays awarded to the Golden Knights. Despite not scoring, Vancouver maintained its composure throughout the opening frame, displaying solid defensive efforts. Kevin Lankinen, the Canucks' goaltender, stood as the quintessential wall, making several denials against the Knights’ offense.
Early on, Jake DeBrusk put the Canucks on the scoreboard at 6:22 of the second period, showcasing his skill with his 20th goal of the season, following a brilliant setup by Kiefer Sherwood. This gave Vancouver hope as they took their 1-0 lead. But the Golden Knights responded five minutes later when Ivan Barbashev, after creating havoc around the net, managed to tie the game with his first goal since December 14.
At intermission, the game was locked at 1-1, with both teams vying for control and showcasing their competitive spirits. Yet, the Canucks' fortune would quickly shift as the final period commenced. Just 18 seconds after the puck dropped, Brandon Saad collected a rebound off the boards and rifled it home, putting Vegas up 2-1. This early goal proved to be the catalyst for the Knights, who would fend off another push from the Canucks for the remainder of the match.
Coach Rick Tocchet of the Canucks lamented the mistakes made by his players during the match. Despite their efforts, Tocchet pointed out the “missed opportunity” of entering the third period tied, especially considering the Knights are among the premier teams within the division. 'We gave them, like, three penalties. They gained momentum from those, even though they didn’t score,' Tocchet said.
While the Calves fought to regain their footing, the Golden Knights prevailed defensively as their goaltender Adin Hill shone, making 32 saves, including several clutch stops during the closing minutes of the game. Tomas Hertl sealed the three-goal victory for the Knights with an empty-net goal, frustrating the Canucks who had fought valiantly, outshooting their opponents 19-10 in the last period.
'Lanks was great tonight,' Tocchet praised his goaltender. Lankinen, who recently signed a five-year extension with the Canucks, faced 16 high-danger shots but performed remarkably under pressure, stopping 32 shots overall. His stellar game, unfortunately, was overshadowed by his team’s inability to capitalize on key moments.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights—whose record now improved to 34-17-6—celebrated their third consecutive win, underlining their current form as they prepare for the next clash against the Los Angeles Kings. Saad’s performance added to the narrative of his successful transition since joining the Knights, where he has begun to find his scoring touch again.
The Canucks, now facing challenges as they sit 11 points behind the Knights, need to regroup quickly. With significant games approaching against playoff contenders, each match holds greater importance as the playoffs loom on the horizon. 'This whole road trip is big,' noted Sherwood. 'Every game is worth double now.'
Disappointment hovered over the Canucks, reflective of their unfortunate pattern of near misses and strategic oversight. While flashes of potential emerged—especially with Lankinen's performance—consistency will be key if they aim to improve their playoff positioning going forward.