The doom and gloom take is that a performance like this won’t work against a team like the Colorado Avalanche, which they face Sunday.<\/p>\n
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Published Nov 08, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 3\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n The Vancouver Canucks<\/a> are a .500 hockey team again.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n They\u2019re a team that\u2019s going to have to fight hard to make the playoffs. They must win games against opponents like the Columbus Blue Jackets to even have a smidgen of a chance to make the big dance at the end of the season.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n And beat the Blue Jackets they did on Saturday at Rogers Arena<\/a>, coming back from 2-1 down in the second period for a 4-3 win.<\/p>\n The doom and gloom take is that a performance like this won\u2019t work against a team like the Colorado Avalanche, which they face Sunday. The Avs are the first of six true cup contenders in a row the Canucks will face over the coming two weeks.<\/p>\n The Avs beat the Oilers 9-1 on Saturday, a statement win if ever there were one.<\/p>\n But that\u2019s tomorrow and this is today and the Canucks proved something to themselves anyway: they found a way to win in a game they had to win.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The fans went home happy. The Canucks got big performances from their best players and some good performances from their role players, too.<\/p>\n That power play<\/p>\n The five minute man advantage could have made such a difference in the second period but the zone entries were a mess. It took more than a minute for the Canucks to get set up on that power play and it was the second unit that did so.<\/p>\n And at that point, I was thinking how rough a night Quinn Hughes<\/a> was having. He\u2019s the quarterback. He drives the bus there. He was massively better in the final frame but on the power play, he was like the rest of his linemates, too listless.<\/p>\n The power play has to be better.<\/p>\n Zach Werenski is perhaps the most underrated high-end defenceman in the NHL.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n HIs skills are subtle. He ate minutes and he drove play the right way, finishing +9 in shot attempts at 5 on 5.<\/p>\n Hughes was even better in the end. He played two mintues more than Werenski did at even strength. And he was +10 in shot attempts.<\/p>\n Does Myers need a break?<\/p>\n The Chaos Giraffe has had a tough week. He\u2019s got a lot of miles on his body. You wonder when the Canucks get a little healthier on the blue line if the coaching staff might start looking for games to give him a rest.<\/p>\n Victor Mancini could be back soon. He\u2019ll surely need some time back in the AHL to get back in shape, but once he is, can you find a spot for Myers to sit and get Mancini in?<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a> A: Can\u2019t find puck on a poor centring pass by Conor Garland<\/a>. A nice support rush of Kiefe Sherwood. Confident on the puck \u2014 except for a rush on the power play when he should have driven the net. Big on faceoffs. Nice feed to Tyler Myers<\/a>, which led to a Garland goal. Two late blocks in the scramble.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Evander KaneB:\u00a0On puck early. Too slow to the puck in the second. He\u2019s had better games. Glorious chance in the third but can\u2019t finish.<\/p>\n Conor Garland<\/a> A: Great work on the goal. Huge effort late to close off the game.<\/p>\n Lukas Reichel C-: Took a penalty in the first.\u00a0 Brutal night for his shift as a whole.<\/p>\n Brock Boeser<\/a> B-: Didn\u2019t get puck out under pressure in first. Missed Kirill Marchenko on the back check on the first goal. Tough night but what a goal to put his team ahead.<\/p>\n Kiefer Sherwood C+:\u00a0 Like the rest of his line, tough night until his great pass to spring Brock Boeser<\/a>.<\/p>\n Aatu Raty B: Great play on the zone entry to create the chance for Jale DeBrusk\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n Drew O\u2019Connor A: Lots of good work with the puck early. Outstanding support and then pass to DeBrusk. Huge night. Great goal.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Jake DeBrusk A: Nice little forechecking moment winning the puck on the end boards in the first. Lovely goal. And great backing up of O\u2019Connor after he was cross-checked by Columbus\u2019 Dante Fabbro.<\/p>\n Max Sasson D: Tried to skate the puck out of the corner but let the puck run away from him. Was a sign of things to come: bad night for the Calder Cup Line.<\/p>\n Arshdeep Bains<\/a> D: Beat off the boards in his own end by Kent Johnson. Tough shift by the line.<\/p>\n Linus Karlsson D: Rough night for the line but a good shift in the third where Hughes almost scored.<\/p>\n Quinn Hughes<\/a> B: Skating hard. Looking frustrated early. Power play was not good. Is that on him? He\u2019s the quarterback. But he raised his game in the third.<\/p>\n Filip Hronek<\/a> B-: Bad gap on second Marchenko goal. Some vintage swashbuckling with the puck though.<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Marcus Pettersson C: Really rough night for him and Myers. Was run roughshod by the very impressive Fantilli-Marchenko-Voronkov line, which caused them all kinds of fits.<\/p>\n Tyler Myers<\/a> C: Having a really, really rough go lately. Been on ice for five goals against last two games. But also made the great rush that became Garland\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n Tom Willander C+: Decent night. Playing with lots of competence, which is what you want from the rookie.<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a> C+: Really nice work on an early PK. Quiet night though.<\/p>\n Goalie<\/p>\n Kevin Lankinen B: You wanted a save from him on the second Marchenko goal, but otherwise he was very, very solid. Also thankful to his posts a couple of times.<\/p>\n pjohnston@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks numbers: Early-season struggles start with special teams<\/p>\n![\"vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cp175281168_299769988.jpg\")
Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen reaches for the puck as it goes behind the net during the NHL game in Vancouver, on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Photo by DARRYL DYCK \/THE CANADIAN PRESSArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.9.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Columbus Blue Jackets\u2019 Adam Fantilli and Vancouver Canucks\u2019 Tyler Myers collide as Columbus\u2019 Kirill Marchenko, not seen, scores against Vancouver goalie Kevin Lankinen during the game in Vancouver on November 8, 2025. Photo by DARRYL DYCK \/THE CANADIAN PRESSHughes vs. Werenski<\/p>\n![\"canucks\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2245209702_299770044.jpg\")
VANCOUVER, CANADA \u2013 NOVEMBER 8: Quinn Hughes #43 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck during the first period of their NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Rogers Arena on November 8, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty ImagesForwards<\/p>\n![\"canucks\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2245209848_299770052.jpg\")
Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets defends against Evander Kane of the Vancouver Canucks November 8, 2025 in Vancouver. Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty ImagesDefence<\/p>\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cp175268355_299714884.jpg\")
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