The Canucks were 2-29-1 when trailing after two periods, so an inability to close the gap Monday was predictable<\/p>\n
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Published Mar 02, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 2\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 5 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 no strangers to danger.<\/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 The NHL last-place club has often created its own misery this season by not starting smartly, giving up their blueline too easily and failing to execute defensive responsibilities. It\u2019s why the Canucks have surrendered the most goals and have just six victories at Rogers Arena<\/a>.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n There was also danger in the air for the soaring Dallas Stars on Monday.<\/p>\n Despite winning eight-straight games while missing four key veteran forwards to injury, the temptation to look past the Canucks and hope those who have had their way against Vancouver \u2014 namely Jason Robertson and Jamie Benn \u2014 would do enough to make short work of the hosts.<\/p>\n Robertson had his way by scoring to extend his points streak against the Canucks to eight games \u2014 and 13 points (6-7) in that span \u2014 in a methodical 6-1 victory that said more about the Stars\u2019 ability to find a way to win and Vancouver\u2019s inability to give their fans something to actually cheer about.<\/p>\n The outcome shouldn\u2019t have been that surprising. The Canucks faded like the sunset in the third period and were outshot 37-14. They started strong and opened scoring, but a lucky bounce off the endboards to even the count and then surrendering two goals in a span of 1:10 in he second period turned the tide.<\/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 \u201cYou\u2019re playing a savvy team that\u2019s clogging it up when the guys were trying to push back,\u201d said Canucks head coach Adam Foote. \u201cIt\u2019s staying in it and not getting deflated when things don\u2019t go your way and a bounce doesn\u2019t go your way on their first goal.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s that feel and it\u2019s happened three times since Christmas and it\u2019s something we\u2019ve got to keep out. You have to believe you can come back. Whether it\u2019s being youthful, we\u2019ve got to grab and stick to what we know. When it gets away a good team like that will take advantage of mistakes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s magnified now because of the situation we\u2019re in. Part of it is the rebuild and we\u2019re going with youth and part of it is you\u2019re going to have games like that. When it wasn\u2019t going our way, we tried to do more at their blue-line to create. That\u2019s when you have to go back to basics.\u201d<\/p>\n The Canucks were 2-29-1 when trailing after two periods, so an inability to close the gap Monday was predictable. And a play to give the Stars a three-goal cushion pretty much summed up the night. Big mistakes at the wrong time.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Early in the third period, Sam Steel got by a sprawling Marcus Pettersson in the slot, fed a back pass to a wide-open Matt Duchene and he had nothing but net as Filip Hronek<\/a> was late in retreat. Four minutes later, another fire drill of coverage allowed Colin Blackwell to score an easy unassisted goal.<\/p>\n \u201cThey started coming at us in the second and we started throwing pucks and not helping each other get out of our zone,\u201d said Marcus Pettersson. \u201cWe allowed them to come back at us and gave them too many Grade As. We have to simplify. We try to do too much with the puck sometimes when we have pressure against us.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to find a way. We just can\u2019t fall down and die. It\u2019s up to the vets to get the team back on track.\u201d<\/p>\n The Stars have now earned points in seven of their last eight games played against the Canucks (6-1-1) dating back to Dec. 21, 2023. Dallas has also won its last three matchups at Rogers Arena<\/a>, outscoring them 17-5 during that span.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve done a poor job of giving up goals in bunches this year,\u201d said Evander Kane. \u201cWhen you do that it\u2019s tough to recover and it was the case again tonight. We have to be mentally tougher. We all understand this (losing) isn\u2019t much fun, but you have push back and fight. Get angry and get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n In a game of Xs and Os, connecting the curiosity dots was also in play Monday.<\/p>\n In advance of the NHL trade deadline Friday, one of the few onlookers was Dallas Stars director of player personnel Rich Peverley. He assists in decision making for the team\u2019s makeup and is heavily involved in professional scouting.<\/p>\n The Stars could use defensive depth and some beef and bite up front for their playoff push to clear the Western Conference final hurdle after three-straight stumbles. They may have interest in Tyler Myers<\/a>, who\u2019s still sitting out for asset protection while he ponders trade interest from the Detroit Red Wings.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also unrestricted left winger Evander Kane, who could be a good rental for a playoff push. The Canucks are willing to retain salary on his expiring US$5.125 million cap hit. Kane had a dozen points (6-6) in 21 playoff game with the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> last season.<\/p>\n OVERTIME \u2014 Defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph left in the third period with an upper-body injury. Was getting X-ray. Canucks expect update in morning. May have to recall a\u00a0 blueliner.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Evander Kane (C)<\/p>\n Hard to net, DeBrusk rebound goes off skate, three shots.<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a> (C)<\/p>\n Tried to hit, dropped by Lindell, no shots, won 56% of draws.<\/p>\n Jake DeBrusk (C)<\/p>\n More zip. Took pass at speed on scoring sequence. Two shots.<\/p>\n Drew O\u2019Connor (C-)<\/p>\n Skated hard, set screens, but big turnover and also a minus-3.<\/p>\n Marco Rossi (C-)<\/p>\n Had trouble finding wingers, 50% on dot, two shots, minus-3<\/p>\n Brock Boeser<\/a> (C-)<\/p>\n Too quiet. Didn\u2019t get any Grade A looks. No shots, two attempts.<\/p>\n Liam Ohgren (C-)<\/p>\n Normally noticeable with great bursts of speed. It was missing.<\/p>\n Teddy Blueger<\/a> (C-)<\/p>\n B.O.G. bogged down (Blueger-Ohgren-Garland). One shot.<\/p>\n Conor Garland<\/a> (C)<\/p>\n Motor usually runs hotter. Two rare giveaways. Two shots.<\/p>\n Nils Hoglander<\/a> (C)<\/p>\n Wrister off crossbar on Karlsson feed, then hot slot shot.<\/p>\n David Kampf (C-)<\/p>\n Also quiet. Decent in the dot and was 54% but no shots.<\/p>\n Linus Karlsson (C)<\/p>\n Fourth-liner and his linemates not hard enough of forecheck.<\/p>\n Elias (D-Petey) Pettersson (C)<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Screened Tolopilo on Roberton\u2019s PP slot shot to make it 3-1.<\/p>\n Filip Hronek<\/a> (C-)<\/p>\n Mixed bag. PP point chance, four giveaways, two blocks.<\/p>\n Marcus Pettersson (C-)<\/p>\n Zone exits challenging, bad defending on Duchene goal.<\/p>\n Tom Willander (C)<\/p>\n Good wheels. Must learn to defend with more than stick.<\/p>\n Zeev Buium (C)<\/p>\n Tough break. Shot block off end boards and off Tolopiolo.<\/p>\n Pierre-Olivier Joseph (C)<\/p>\n Didn\u2019t notice him, wasn\u2019t making mistakes, left in third.<\/p>\n Nikita Tolopilo (C)<\/p>\n Kept his team in it before the defending roof caved in.<\/p>\n bkuzma@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks’ Elias Pettersson: ‘I haven\u2019t lived up to expectations of the contract’<\/p>\n![\"Jamie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2263956462_301800933.jpg\")
Jamie Benn #14 of the Dallas Stars watches the puck enter the net against Nikita Tolopilo of the Vancouver Canucks off the stick of Lian Bichsel (not pictured) of the Stars during the second period at Rogers Arena on Monday night. Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.6.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Canucks winger Evander Kane scores on Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars during the first period at Rogers Arena. Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty ImagesStars gazing at trade targets?<\/p>\n![\"Nathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2263951051_301800425.jpg\")
Nathan Bastian of the Dallas Stars defends against Canucks winger Nils Hoglander during the first period Monday. Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty ImagesREPORT CARDS<\/p>\n![\"Vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772527994_417_cp175721268_301118537.jpg\")
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