Canucks Player Grades: Spirited rally snaps streak in 4-3 win over Capitals

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The Canucks rallied from a 2-0 deficit in first period to stop the bleeding at 11 games and also ended a seven-game slide on home ice

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Published Jan 21, 2026 • Last updated 13 hours ago • 7 minute read

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Evander Kane is congratulated by Tyler Myers after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Rogers Arena on Wednesday night. The Canucks won 4-3. Photo by Derek Cain /Getty ImagesArticle content

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When the struggling Vancouver Canucks set a franchise record for futility Monday with their 11th-consecutive loss to surpass the mark set by the 1997-98 club, it prompted a prickly post-game dissection by head coach Adam Foote.

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He was frank about the lack of adhering to club culture. In his mind, it has been missing for some time and veterans should be held accountable because a lack of professionalism played out in the 4-3 setback to the New York Islanders.

They shouldn’t be deflated and showing their disdain by slamming sticks or the bench gate. They should be leading by example.

On Wednesday, the Canucks were initially slow in response to Foote’s demands, but then showed something.

They rallied from a 2-0 first-period deficit with goals by Brock Boeser, Evander Kane, Drew O’Connor and Filip Hronek en route to an encouraging 4-3 victory. It stopped the bleeding at 11 games and also ended a seven-game slide on home ice to send the Washington Capitals to their fourth-straight setback.

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The Capitals made it interesting with a late goal, but the Canucks hung on for a very rare and very satisfying win that got a standing ovation from the faithful.

“I think the best part was how our bench was after being down,” said Foote. “It was really calm and you have to give a lot of credit to the guys for not getting rattled. They (refs) missed a call and maybe it was meant to be to give a test to our guys. The guys stuck to it and when we had to defend down low, they did a good job clogging it up.

“It’s one of the best games i’ve seen (Brock) Boeser and (Conor) Garland play. Not just points, but Boeser was matched against (Tom) Wilson and he defended well. We can really grow from this. With this young group, we’re going have some tough nights, but to not fall off a game plan I’m happy for them. I’m proud of them.”

Brock Boeser scores a goal on Logan Thompson during the first period at Rogers Arena Photo by Derek Cain /Getty ImagesBoeser executes, energized, effective

Boeser was energized and had his first multi-point outing in eight games. He also won an end boards battle to start the scoring sequence on the O’Connor goal and drew a penalty by driving hard into the offensive zone.

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“It feels good,” said Boeser. “We stuck together as a group after they jumped into that lead and kept it going. Positive vibes out there and I’m just happy that we got a win. We can’t have bad body language or negative attitude on the bench and we can’t show that to the young guys. We have to be good leaders and that helped us tonight.”

Boeser was also engaged in all areas of the ice and had an extra jump in his stride.

“I’m trying to shoot more and get back to myself and I feed off that and feel better as the game goes on,” added Boeser. “Definitely something I’m trying to do and I have to work as hard as I can and everybody needs to do it. Getting a win shows that.

“I can’t remember the last time we were sitting there in the third period (with a lead) and everybody was communicating to make smart plays and not give them much. We did a good job of that.”

David Kampf had his first multi-point game in 12 outings by setting up a pair of goals and Kevin Lankinen rebounded to finish strong with 29 saves.

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It was impressive but the night didn’t start that way.

The easiest exercise for the Canucks is to stay out of the penalty box, especially with a 31st ranked penalty kill.

However, when Max Sasson took a needless holding infraction in the first period, and Marcus Pettersson followed with a high-sticking minor, the Capitals had a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:09 and made the best of it. They struck twice with pair of easy down low and untouched goals.

Lesson learned.

“It’s big for the mental side of things,” said Hronek. “We just have to take the positives from this game and we had some good O-zone shifts. It’s nice to get a win and get that feeling again.”

Teddy Blueger was effective in his first game since Oct. 19 by making smart penalty kill reads and finishing with five shot attempts and working well in being re-united with Garland.

“You have to give credit to the work Teddy did and it’s a long time missed and for him to come in and have that much of an impact on a game, he really looked good out there,” said Foote. “It gave Garly a spark, too, and they had something going on.”

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Washington Capitals’ Hendrix Lapierre (29) checks David Kampf (64) as Drew O’Connor (18) skates after the puck during the first period Photo by Darryl Dyck /THE CANADIAN PRESS

It echoed what veteran defenceman Tyler Myers suggested earlier in the day. The Canucks would be better than Monday.

“I don’t think we need to make this bigger than it is,” he stressed. “We had a couple of stick slams on the bench and got a little negative when things weren’t going our way. Clean those things up. We’ll be fine.

“It’s learning from that kind of stuff, it’s wasted energy. And we’ve all been there, but we have to show some maturity.”

If the Canucks needed extra incentive, denying Alex Ovechkin is always a formidable challenge, even if he’s 40 years old on an expiring contract. He has 20 goals this season.

The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer with 917 goals has 16 in 31 career games against Vancouver and stepping in front of his patented one-timer, slapshot from the left faceoff dot is not for the faint of heart. He had two shots and nine attempts.

“I remember one that broke my toe, and luckily it was my little guy, so I didn’t have to miss time,” Myers recalled Wednesday morning. “I’ve been fortunate to play against him and see all the things he’s done in his career. And I’ve been on the ice for a lot of his goals. One of the greats.”

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As for keeping Ovechkin from scoring on Wednesday, Lankinen knew it wasn’t going to be easy. His release is quick and accurate, and when he misses the net it’s over my mere inches.

“Just close your eyes and hope for the best,” joked Lankinen when asked about his strategy to deny Ovechkin. “He’s a special player and I have a lot of respect for that guy. He sneaks around and finds places to score. I’m a big fan.”

And Lankinen is also a fan of winning. It was a rare one Wednesday and one that was badly needed and richly deserved.

Alex Ovechkin (8), Tom Wilson (43) and Dylan Strome (17) celebrate Strome’s goal against the Canucks during the first period Photo by Darryl Dyck /THE CANADIAN PRESSOvechkin: One more time, with feeling

If Wednesday was the last time we see ‘The Great 8′ at Rogers Arena, his journey to NHL all-time leading scorer is certainly worth recalling.

After all, it all seemed so daunting and unrealistic to Ovechkin 10 years ago when I approach him with the math following a practice in Arlington, Va. To me, it added up to the Capitals’ legend eventually surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goals as the game’s supreme sniper. To him, it made no sense.

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Even though his scoring pace suggested that, barring a significant injury, he was capable of averaging 40 goals annually over the next 10 years to surpass The Great One, to him it was pure fantasy.

“Ten years? I don’t think I’m going to play 10 years,” Ovechkin chuckled. “I’m not a (Jaromir) Jagr. As long as I’m healthy and can produce and the physicality is the most important thing. You can play, but what’s the point if you can’t do anything out there?

“You just embarrass yourself and embarrass your name. You have to be done when it’s time, and, of course, that is going to be hard. But sometimes you have to do that.”

And sometimes you carry on and reach the summit.

Martin Fehérváry of the Washington Capitals is dumped in front of Kevin Lankinen during the second period Photo by Derek Cain /Getty ImagesREPORT CARDS