The Canucks suffer back-to-back losses for the first time since Nov. 18, 2023.
For the first time all season, the Vancouver Canucks (34-12-6) gave up a multi-goal lead in the third period, falling to the Detroit Red Wings (27-18-6) 4-3 in overtime. This was also the first time Vancouver lost back-to-back games in almost three months when the Calgary Flames and Seattle Kraken defeated them on November 16 and 18. Despite the loss, the Canucks will remain at the top of the NHL standings as the Boston Bruins suffered a 3-0 loss to Vancouver's next opponent, the Washington Capitals.
Overall, there were quite a few positives to come out of this game. Filip Hronek snapped his nine-game pointless streak with a three-point effort, while Elias Pettersson had one of his best games of the season. Unfortunately, though, there were too many missed coverages in the defensive zone that led to scoring chances and a third-period collapse.
Lastly, the Canucks penalty kill deserves a lot of credit for the way they played. Vancouver killed off Nikita Zadorov's five-minute major in the second and went three for four, holding Detroit to seven shots in over ten minutes of shorthanded time. While they gave up a goal, their overall play was positive as they limited the Red Wings' high-danger chances while registering three shots on goal while shorthanded.
Here are head coach Rick Tocchet's postgame comments:
"I thought we controlled the game. Couple of turnovers. We gotta learn. With the pressure going to start hitting us more, you got to lock these games down. There were a couple turnovers where we shouldn't have had turnovers, gotta get the puck in deep."
Facts and Stats
- Canucks move to 29-0-2 on the season when leading after two periods
- With his 34th career three-point night, Elias Pettersson moves into sole possession of ninth on the franchise's all-time list for 3+ point performances
- Filip Hronek records his tenth multi-point game of the season
- Nils Höglander reaches the 15-goal plateau for the first time in his career.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
DET: 0:45- Lucas Raymond (14th) from David Perron and Jeff Petry
2nd Period
VAN: 1:09- Nils Höglander (15th) from Filip Hronek and Elias Pettersson
VAN: 11:10- Filip Hronek (4th) from Ilya Mikheyev and Elias Pettersson
VAN: 13:27- Elias Pettersson (28th) from Pius Suter and Filip Hronek
3rd Period
DET: 2:34- Daniel Sprong (14th) from Patrick Kane and Joe Veleno (PPG)
DET: 7:51- Michael Rasmussen (11th) from Jake Walman and Christian Fischer
Overtime
DET: 0:23 Jake Walman (11th) (PS)
Canucks Next Opponent
Vancouver won't have to wait long before getting back in action as they face the Washington Capitals on Sunday morning. The Capitals swept the season series in 2022-23 and have won seven of the last nine matchups between these two. Game time is set for 10:30 AM PT from Capital One Arena.
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