Welcome back to Instant Reaction, the series here at CanucksArmy where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Vancouver Canucks game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below!Starting Lineup

So, bad news: Quinn Hughes was out of the lineup tonight with a lower-body injury.

And the good news? Well, let’s just dive into tonight’s game and see if we get any.

First Period

Conor Garland was called for roughing, giving the Oilers the game’s first power play. And lately, the Canucks’ penalty kill has turned into a point of concern. On their first chance of the night, the Canucks’ penalty killers not only kept the Oilers at bay, but they also created a few scoring chances of their own. First it was Kiefer Sherwood, then it was Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk. Unfortunately, Calvin Pickard turned both attempts aside. But hey, at least they didn’t give up a goal!

EP40 has himself a great rush chance early!

🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks

Shortly after the chance for Pettersson, Lukas Reichel had a great chance gifted to him when Leon Draisaitl threw the puck right up the middle, but again, Pickard made the save.

With just under five minutes left in the first, Evander Kane made a sweet backhand pass to Brock Boeser, who pulled off an even sweeter backhand finish to beat Pickard and open the scoring in this one.

🚨CANUCKS GOAL🚨

Evander Kane finds Brock Boeser open in the slot, and Brock slides the puck thru Pickard’s pads. 1-0 Canucks!

🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks

1-0 Canucks. 

Oh, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that Thatcher Demko was as steady and phenomenal as he’s been all season.

Isaac Howard is shut down on a break by Thatcher Demko!

🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks

Some takeaways from the first:

-Liked what I’ve seen from Lukas Reichel early on. His ability to transport the puck through the neutral zone has come as advertised and has been a welcome addition to the second line. I like what he’s done with Kane and Boeser. That trio had some moments early (including the opening goal).
-A message I got from a follower on X tonight: “Petterson is like another player these recent games, I wonder what clicked.” I’m not sure I’d go that far, but certainly have seen some encouraging signs from him in recent games.

Second Period

The second period began with a Darnell Nurse penalty drawn by Kiefer Sherwood. With Hughes out, Filip Hronek stepped in to quarterback PP1. One thing that was immediately noticeable: Elias Pettersson was looking to shoot. His first one was blocked, but his second one? Another very encouraging sign: as Pettersson unleashed what the kids are calling a “vintage Petey” blast:

🚨CANUCKS GOAL🚨

PETEY BOMB 💣💣💣

🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks

2-0 Canucks. 

“Let’s Go Petey” chants began to ring through Rogers Arena. And not like in the past, when the chant has been out of pity or more accurately, a hope that the chant would help him figure it out a la Trea Turner with the Philadelphia Phillies. No, these chants were happening for one reason: because for two nights in a row, Elias Pettersson has gotten back to doing things that star players do. And that’s all that any Canucks fan is hoping for, right?

Anyways, back to the game. The Canucks got another power play chance not long after, and again, Pettersson was looking to shoot. After missing a one-time attempt, Pettersson made a backhand pass to Brock Boeser, who forced Pickard to make a nice save. Out came the second power play unit, and it was there that Lukas Reichel made another great play worth at least mentioning, as he fed the puck out front to Linus Karlsson from behind the goal line.

Back at 5v5, Kiefer Sherwood appeared to have scored yet another goal, but Edmonton challenged the play for offside, where it was determined that Tyler Myers entered the zone early.

Kiefer Sherwood scores but Tyler Myers was offside.

No goal. It’s still 2-0 Vancouver

🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks

A scary situation arose late in the second, as Filip Hronek — who missed 21 games last season with a shoulder injury — went down very awkwardly in the corner. Although he stayed down at first, Hronek went to the Canucks’ bench and didn’t miss a shift.

Filip Hronek falls awkwardly on to the ice and is shaken up.

🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks

Unfortunately, it was the Oilers who scored the game’s next goal. Evan Bouchard made a beautiful stretch pass to Leon Draisaitl, who made no mistake in beating Thatcher Demko to get the Oilers on the board.

Before the end of the period, Kiefer Sherwood scored what might end up being the nicest goal he’ll score all season. Sherwood danced around Mattias Ekholm and then put a slick move on Pickard to score his second of the period (but the only one that counts):

🚨CANUCKS GOAL🚨

WHAT. A. GOAL. KIEFER SHERWOOD IS ELECTRIC ⚡️⚡️

🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks

3-1 Canucks.

Note: Victor Mancini didn’t play the final five minutes of the second period, and did not return for the third.

Some takeaways from the second:

-Thatcher Demko is otherworldly.
-Kiefer Sherwood is pure electricity.
-Goal and an assist for Brock Boeser after 40 minutes of play. Awesome.
-The Canucks won a lot more faceoffs tonight. That’s a nice thing to see.

Third Period

The Oilers managed to pull within one shortly after the third period started after Tyler Myers failed to clear the puck out, giving Vasily Podkolzin enough time to put the pressure on and cause a turnover. Then it was Jack Roslovic who ripped the shot past Demko. That’s a deep cut.

Jack Roslovic scores for Edmonton early in the 3rd period. It’s 3-2 Vancouver.

🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks

3-2.

Lukas Reichel continued to impress, and nearly scored his first goal in Canucks colours after Brock Boeser set him up with a cross-ice feed. Unfortunately, Reichel hit the side of the net with his attempt, and the Canucks’ lead remained slim. To their credit, every one of the Canucks’ lines turned in strong shifts and kept the puck in the Oilers’ end for the most part.

With just over five minutes remaining in the third, Marcus Pettersson was called for slashing, giving the Oilers’ potent power play a prime opportunity to tie this one up. And tie it up they did. McDavid to Draisaitl. Who could’ve seen that one coming?

Leon Draisaitl ties this game late in the 3rd period.

🎥: Sportsnet | #Canucks

3-3.

Some takeaways from the third period:

-Liking Lukas Reichel so far.
-Heavy ice time for Filip Hronek, who looked great tonight. Thankfully, that injury was nothing serious.

Overtime

Overtime without Quinn Hughes is always a tough task. The Oilers won the faceoff, giving them the early possession advantage. Eventually the Canucks won it back, and sent three forwards out. One of those forwards was Kiefer Sherwood, who tipped home a Brock Boeser shot for his second (third if Myers dragged his skate) goal of the game.

4-3 final.

That was a solid team win for a shorthanded Canucks team. Arguably Evander Kane’s best game yet. A strong showing from Pettersson, Boeser, Garland, and of course Sherwood. This team’s best players were its best players tonight, and deserved the win. And that snaps a three game losing streak.

What’s your instant reaction to tonight’s game? Let us know in the comments section below!

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