The dust is still settling around the NHL following a massive blockbuster deal between the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and the Chicago Blackhawks.
Vancouver surrendered twof third-period goals by JJ Peterka and a poor Buffalo team playing in the second leg of a back-to-back.
After embarrassing losses to the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers, the Canucks looked steady and composed as they beat the NHL-leading Washington Capitals 2-1. It didn’t hurt that captain Quinn Hughes had another MVP-caliber game with two goals, the first of which was highlight-reel worthy.
Tage Thompson had taken a shot from the point, and Jiri Kulich was parked in front of the net battling for position. When the rebound bounced toward him, he kicked it toward the net attempting to get a stick on it.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start in goal after resting during Monday’s game due to what Ruff described as “nagging issues.” With Luukkonen available, the Sabres recalled forward Tyson Kozak and loaned goaltender Devon Levi to Rochester.
One day removed from the blockbuster three-team trade that shook the NHL on Friday night and saw star winger Mikko Rantanen sent from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman had some new details to drop during his Saturday Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada.
Fans not overly familiar with the Vancouver Canucks may be confused watching tonight's game versus the Washington Capitals.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed during Sportsnet's "Saturday Headlines" segment that the Canucks were in fact so close to trading star forward Elias Pettersson to the Hurricanes. “There was a time (Friday) I thought that Pettersson was going to be a Carolina Hurricane,” Friedman said. “Obviously, it didn’t happen.
How far down the Oilers' pecking order has Skinner dropped? He played 13:34 in Thursday's 6-2 win over Vancouver − and that was his biggest ice time total since Dec. 3.
As for the heatmap, it was a mess for Vancouver. Buffalo was able to generate shots from all over the zone, including right beside Thatcher Demko. The Canucks also struggled to create chances, as only six of the 34 shots Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen were registered as high-danger shots.
Canucks DeBrusk Discusses How Being Booed Motivates Brad Marchand & The Social Media Noise Surrounding Conor Garland Ahead Of Their Matchup Against The Oilers Thursday's game will be a massive test for the Canucks both on and off the ice.