Vancouver Canucks Fall to Vegas Golden Knights in Back-to-Back Opener
On a chilly February night in Las Vegas, the Vancouver Canucks faced off against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena, hoping to extend their recent momentum. Despite a valiant effort, the Canucks were unable to overcome the formidable Golden Knights, falling to a 3-1 defeat. The game featured standout performances from both sides, with Jake DeBrusk of the Canucks and Ivan Barbashev, Brandon Saad, and Tomáš Hertl of the Golden Knights all finding the back of the net.
A Tough Start for Vancouver
The Canucks entered the game missing their captain, Quinn Hughes, who has been sidelined due to injury for the past five games. In his absence, Filip Hronek stepped up, logging a team-high 27:32 minutes and taking over Hughes’ role on the power play. Despite his efforts, Hronek struggled to replicate Hughes’ impact, failing to register any points. Elias Pettersson, who has been dealing with an ailment, also took the ice, recording one shot and one hit over 15:59 minutes of play.
The Canucks’ disorganization was evident from the start. They struggled to connect passes and set up plays, leading to two too-many-men penalties and a delay of game penalty in the first period. These infractions allowed Vegas to capitalize, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. Vancouver’s first shot on goal didn’t come until the eight-minute mark, a clear indication of their early struggles.
Lankinen’s Heroic Efforts
Kevin Lankinen, playing his first game since signing a new five-year, $4.5M AAV contract, put in a stellar performance in net. Despite the loss, Lankinen made 32 saves on 34 shots, finishing with a .941 save percentage. His glove saves in the first period and a breakaway save in the third period were crucial in keeping the game close. Lankinen’s performance was a silver lining in an otherwise challenging night for the Canucks.
A Glimmer of Hope
Jake DeBrusk provided a much-needed spark for the Canucks, scoring his 20th goal of the season and his 300th career NHL point. This goal, assisted by Kiefer Sherwood and Carson Soucy, came early in the second period and tied the game at 1-1. DeBrusk’s milestone made him the 17th member of the 2015 NHL Draft class to reach 300 points, a significant achievement for the young forward. The Canucks followed up DeBrusk’s goal with a power play opportunity, drawn after Elias Pettersson was hooked by Ivan Barbashev. However, the Golden Knights quickly responded, with Barbashev tying the game just five minutes later.
Physical Play and Missed Opportunities
Physical play was a significant aspect of the game, with Vancouver out-hitting Vegas 34 to 10. Kiefer Sherwood led the charge, tallying nine hits and reaching his 300th hit of the season, making him the first player to achieve this feat in just 52 games. Despite their physical dominance, the Canucks struggled to convert their hits into scoring opportunities.
The Canucks had a few chances to equalize, but their efforts were stymied by the Golden Knights’ strong defensive play and timely saves by Adin Hill. Nils Höglander had a potential equalizer early in the third period, but the goal was called back due to Teddy Blueger’s interference in the crease. Later in the period, during a power play, the Canucks thought they had tied the game, but the goal was disallowed after the whistle had blown.
Final Tally and Road Ahead
Despite a strong third period, where the Canucks managed to match the Golden Knights in shots on goal, they ultimately fell short. Brandon Saad and Tomáš Hertl scored for Vegas in the third, solidifying their 3-1 victory. The Canucks now turn their attention to their next game, a back-to-back matchup against the Utah Hockey Club on February 23. With puck drop scheduled for 5:00 pm PT, the Canucks will look to bounce back and build momentum for the remainder of their road trip.
Key Stats and Facts
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Vancouver Canucks:
- Goals: 1 (Jake DeBrusk)
- Shots on Goal: 33
- Hits: 34 (Kiefer Sherwood: 9)
- Power Play Goals: 0/2
- Penalties: 4 (Too Many Men x2, Delay of Game, Hooking)
- Vegas Golden Knights:
- Goals: 3 (Ivan Barbashev, Brandon Saad, Tomáš Hertl)
- Shots on Goal: 35
- Hits: 10
- Power Play Goals: 0/3
- Penalties: 3 (Hooking, Holding, High-Sticking)
As the Canucks prepare for their next game, they will aim to address their early-game struggles and capitalize on their physical play to secure a win and continue their pursuit of a playoff spot.
