Despite holding a 3-0 lead after the first period, the Vancouver Canucks fell 7-6 in a shootout to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Vancouver received goals from Linus Karlsson, Brock Boeser, Jake DeBrusk, Tyler Myers and Aatu Räty (2x), while Kevin Lankinen stopped 32 of the 28 shots he faced. Despite the loss, the Canucks push their point streak to three games and are now 2-1-2 on their current six-game road trip.
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This game was chaotic from start to finish. As mentioned, the Canucks built a 3-0 lead in the first, but saw their advantage disappear by the mid-way point of the second. In the end, despite holding a lead with under five minutes left in the third, Vancouver needed to find a way to tie the game in order to collect a single point.
While it is a positive that the Canucks scored six goals, giving up six in regulation is concerning. Not only was it a difficult game for Lankinen, but the entire team’s defensive structure was poor, as the Blue Jackets had no problem crashing the crease. Ultimately, this was a game Vancouver should have won in regulation, which would have greatly increased their chances of qualifying for a playoff spot.
As for standouts, it was another strong night for Kiefer Sherwood. The Columbus-born winger recorded three assists and once again made it to double digits in hits, finishing with 10. With Elias Pettersson, Nils Höglander and Filip Chytil out of the lineup, Sherwood has stepped up his game and now has six points in his last two games.
Räty also had a game to remember as he scored twice, including the game-tying goal. He also went eight for 15 in the faceoff dot and played the opening shift of overtime. Now, with three goals in his last two games, Räty is showing that he is ready for a full-time role at the NHL level.
The Canucks power play was also dynamic, as they went two for two on the night. Vancouver had struggled with the man advantage through the first four games of the road trip, but we were able to cash in for two important goals. With nine games remaining, the Canucks need to continue this momentum on the power play if they want to find consistent success down the stretch.
Overall, this was a costly and frustrating loss for Vancouver. They gave up multiple leads and struggled to put away a Blue Jackets team that was 1-5-1 in their previous seven. While the Canucks did manage to collect a point, losing the extra one very well could hurt them at the end of the season.
Stats and Facts:
– The Canucks have not allowed a first period goal in five straight games
– Recording his 93rd multi-point game, Brock Boeser ties Patrik Sundström for 14th on Vancouver’s all-time list for 2+ point games
– Tyler Myers ties Mattias Öhlund for the second most shorthanded goals by a defenseman in franchise history with five
– Kiefer Sherwood records his second straight three-point game
Scoring Summary:
1st Period
8:51- VAN: Linus Karlsson (2) from Kiefer Sherwood and Conor Garland (PPG)
10:35- VAN: Brock Boeser (24) from Quinn Hughes and Pius Suter
13:26- VAN: Jake DeBrusk (24) from Brock Boeser and Pius Suter (PPG)
2nd Period:
00:34- CBJ: Boone Jenner (3) from Denton Mateychuk and Erik Gudbranson
4:45- CBJ: Kirill Marchenko (27) from Sean Monahan and Dante Fabbro
8:44- CBJ: Dante Fabbro (6) from Cole Sillinger and Mathieu Olivier
11:23- VAN: Tyler Myers (6) from Kiefer Sherwood and Pius Suter (SHG)
3rd Period:
6:42- VAN: Aatu Räty (4) from Dakota Joshua and Quinn Hughes
7:03- CBJ: Denton Mateychuk (4) from Boone Jenner and Adam Fantilli
16:46- CBJ: Boone Jenner (4) from Kirill Marchenko and Zach Werenski
17:08- CBJ: Mathieu Olivier (17) from Dante Fabbro and Justin Danforth
17:31- VAN: Aatu Räty (5) from Dakota Joshua and Kiefer Sherwood
Overtime:
No Scoring
Shootout:
CBJ: Kent Johnson
Up Next:
The Canucks will wrap up their six-game road trip with a Sunday matinee against the Winnipeg Jets. This will be the third of four meetings between these two Canadian rivals, with each team picking up a win at home. Puck drop is scheduled for noon PT from Canada Life Centre.
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