By Iain MacIntyre
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks are facing a tough situation mathematically, and the outlook for their playoff chances is bleak.
Their 3-2 home loss on Sunday against the Vegas Golden Knights, their fourth defeat in the last five games, has essentially eliminated the Canucks from playoff contention in the National Hockey League.
Trailing the Minnesota Wild by eight points with only five games remaining, and lacking the tie-breaker in regulation wins, the Canucks have very little room for error. To keep any playoff hopes alive, they must win their upcoming game on Tuesday in Dallas against the Stars, which begins a challenging two-game road trip.
Earlier on Sunday, Minnesota defeated Dallas 3-2 in overtime, overcoming a late power play by the Stars before securing their own victory with a power play goal.
In contrast, the Canucks gave up the decisive goal to the Golden Knights with just over three minutes left in the game. Defensive lapses allowed Victor Olofsson to score unchallenged from close range.
With their season hanging in the balance, the undermanned Canucks only managed two shots on goal in the third period. This wasted a strong performance from Vancouver`s goalie, Kevin Lankinen, who had previously conceded 14 goals in his prior three games.
“It seemed like we didn’t push hard enough,” Canucks winger Nils Hoglander, who returned from injury and scored, commented to reporters. “Then they scored, and it became very difficult to come back.”
The pattern of being outplayed in the third period and watching the opposition step up in crucial moments has become a recurring issue for Vancouver. This has led to their slide from a wild-card playoff position in the Western Conference over the past three weeks.
Without key centers Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil, who are unlikely to travel to Dallas or Denver this week, the Canucks have a record of 1-3-1 in their last five games. Meanwhile, the Wild have been finding ways to win. The St. Louis Blues, who overtook Vancouver for the final playoff spot on March 20, have been performing strongly.
“We hung in there,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said after Sunday`s game. “We didn’t possess the puck enough in the latter half of the game. They controlled the play, and we were just trying to stay in it. It’s challenging when you don’t have the puck much, but many guys showed effort.”
When asked about maintaining team confidence given the unfavorable standings, Tocchet responded: “Confidence isn`t something you can simply purchase. It’s built through daily work and how you handle challenges. Overcoming adversity should build confidence. But confidence isn’t something you can just switch on; it must be developed.”
With five players in the lineup who have spent significant time in the American Hockey League this season, the Canucks are in a phase of development as they play out these final games.
Aatu Raty, one of the recalled players and a center, displayed both potential and areas for improvement typical of young prospects.
The 22-year-old, filling a third-line role due to Nils Aman`s injury in practice, fought his way to the front of the Vegas net and scored the Canucks’ equalizing goal in the second period.
However, Raty was also partially responsible for Olofsson’s game-winning goal. He applied a weak stick check and allowed Olofsson to get to the net front to receive William Karlsson’s pass. Rookie defenseman Vittorio Mancini was focused on Karlsson, missing Olofsson skating behind him, and Dakota Joshua did not get back quickly enough on defense.
“It’s frustrating to concede that goal at the end,” Raty said, mentioning he needed to review the play. “If you aim to play for a strong team, the coach needs to trust you in every situation. Every player is highly skilled, so strong defense is essential.”
“He’s still developing,” Tocchet noted. “He’s young and will make mistakes, but I appreciate his effort. We just need to continue working with him.”
The Canucks’ effort against the reigning Stanley Cup champions and consistent contenders was commendable.
After Hoglander scored early in the first period, Ivan Barbashev tied the game for Vegas. He found space behind Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek and beat Lankinen by cutting across the crease and scoring near the far post.
Lankinen stopped Nicolas Roy’s shot on another Vegas attack, but the puck rebounded off Mancini’s skate and into the net.
After several key saves by Lankinen early in the second period, Raty tied the game at 2-2. He scored on a rebound after Vegas goalie Adin Hill initially saved Hronek’s shot. Joshua initiated the play by intercepting the puck in the neutral zone.
Raty moved across the crease just before the puck arrived. Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy challenged the goal for goalie interference, but after video review, the referees allowed the goal.
However, during Vancouver’s subsequent power play, Hill made a crucial save, moving quickly to deny Pius Suter’s shot from close range. Olofsson later scored from a similar position.
The Golden Knights outshot the Canucks 25-9 in the final two periods, including 12-2 in the third period.
“It’s a disappointing outcome,” Lankinen said. “It’s what I’m focused on right now. We competed hard against a good team, but it’s not the result we wanted.”
And desperately needed.
ICE CHIPS
Tyler Myers, the Canucks’ most experienced defenseman, missed his second game in a row due to an undisclosed injury. Quinn Hughes, playing injured, was on the ice for all three Vegas goals and finished with a minus-three rating, bringing his season rating to even. He is minus-15 in 16 games since returning from injury.
