The Canucks once again struggled to play a coherent defence and were too often crushed in crucial moments on Thursday night.<\/p>\n
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Published Mar 19, 2026 \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 There are two easy comparison points for the Vancouver Canucks<\/a>\u2019 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday at Rogers Arena<\/a>.<\/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 first is the Canucks\u2019 6-2 win in November in Tampa, where they roared back after falling behind 2-0 in the second period. It was an impressive, take-your-chances effort.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The other is to look at how well the Canucks played on Tuesday, outclassing the defending Stanley Cup champions<\/a>.<\/p>\n November\u2019s win featured six players who are no longer in Vancouver, four of them significant. Gone are Quinn Hughes<\/a> \u2014 who had four assists vs. Tampa \u2014 Tyler Myers<\/a>, Conor Garland<\/a>, Kiefer Sherwood, Lukas Reichel and Mackenzie MacEachern.<\/p>\n That lineup, we all thought, was good enough to make the playoffs. That didn\u2019t happen and now here we are, watching the roster being built anew. Or at least, that\u2019s what the stated plan is.<\/p>\n This lineup was good enough to overcome a depleted Panthers squad on Tuesday. They took advantage of what the Panthers, who were missing nine regulars, gave them. It was the Canucks\u2019 third win since the deadline, following that nice comeback shootout win vs. Nashville last week and a wildly fun win in Chicago on deadline day.<\/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 And sure, there was that 2-0 loss to Ottawa last week that at least had decent moments.<\/p>\n Thursday\u2019s loss and last Saturday\u2019s loss vs. Seattle were of a kind, though: A team struggling to play coherent defence being crushed in crucial moments too many times, and those moments are often of their own making.<\/p>\n Tampa scored three goals on top of the Canucks\u2019 crease, a reminder of how badly the Canucks have done in their own end this season. Kevin Lankinen can only do so much.<\/p>\n This is where the Canucks are at. There\u2019s a collection of younger players who want to be part of the solution going forward. It\u2019s on them to show progress, to show improvement.<\/p>\n And it\u2019s on the veterans to guide the way as well.<\/p>\n Winning battles<\/p>\n Head coach Adam Foote lamented his team\u2019s lack of savvy, something he hopes they\u2019re learning to improve. As his opposite number Jon Cooper said post-game, the Lightning were vibing with one another.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve kind of been very fortunate we got a group of guys that I can mix and match up there when things are going a little stale and right now that group has really been excellent for us on this road trip,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cThere\u2019s just a lot of work, a lot of skill, a lot of hockey IQ, and when they\u2019re all working and vibing (with) each other, it\u2019s fun to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n A team playing like that will keep your defensive structure under pressure; you can\u2019t afford to give anything away.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a couple pot battles we lost, where we\u2019re going for the puck instead of chipping the body,\u201d Foote said. \u201cI always use a term from basketball: when you go for a jump ball, you get in the body first.\u201d<\/p>\n An apt explanation for why the Canucks defended the slot so badly.<\/p>\n Where\u2019s the No. 1 guy?<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a>, as so many declared after Tuesday\u2019s win, was back at it<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sure, his power play goal was a great shot. But it was also the creation of a great Marco Rossi pass. His second goal was a wild deflection: Though, sure, you\u2019ve got to be good to be lucky.<\/p>\n But to say he was going to be the guy again, just off one game, was a little much.<\/p>\n Sadly, he was mostly back to form on Thursday. He played well enough, but is still lacking consistent zip to his game. His night was far more in keeping with how much so much of his season has gone: fits and starts and an overall lack of production.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n On the other side of the equation, there was Nikita Kucherov, who is just relentless this year. The self-professed video obsessive showed nothing but smart decisions under pressure and dazzling execution. His goal was fabulous and so were his passes.<\/p>\n Weak seas<\/p>\n How tough are things out west? On Wednesday night, six of the Pacific Division\u2019s eight teams in were in action \u2026 and, combined, they scored a measly six goals.<\/p>\n The Canucks obviously had two of those. LA scored three. Seattle had a single.<\/p>\n But Vegas, San Jose and Edmonton were all shut out.<\/p>\n This is not likely to be a very good playoff year for the division.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s dive into the game itself \u2026<\/p>\n REPORT CARDForwards<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a> C Decent in possession \u2014 but those vibes everyone was on about last game? Yeah, not much juice here. Lost a couple puck battles in pretty embarrassing fashion too.<\/p>\n Drew O\u2019Connor C+ Skated hard. You always get that.<\/p>\n Jake DeBrusk C+ He was fine.<\/p>\n Marco Rossi C Really not good all night but ended up with two assists<\/a>, including one off a crazy Tampa turnover in the third that became the Karlsson goal. There\u2019s also no denying he has nine points in four games.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Liam Ohgren C+ Well, he scored a very nice goal, but like the rest of his line was absolutely buried in his own end. Hit a post in the third, which might have turned the night.<\/p>\n Brock Boeser<\/a> C- His assist on the Ohgren goal ties him with Tony Tanti on the Canucks\u2019 all-time point list at ninth. But a tough night overall.<\/p>\n Teddy Blueger<\/a> C Quietest night in a while.<\/p>\n Max Sasson C Skated hard but a tough night.<\/p>\n Linus Karlsson B Nice goal. Not much else.<\/p>\n Aatu Raty C+ He\u2019s playing well enough if you want him to be a fourth line centre.<\/p>\n Evander Kane D Can confirm he was on the ice.<\/p>\n Nils Hoglander<\/a> C Skated hard but struggled to get to the net.<\/p>\n Defence<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson C- Good first. Ugly second with a giveaway that led to the third goal. Game got worse from there.<\/p>\n Filip Hronek<\/a> C He\u2019s had better nights. Struggled to defend against Tampa\u2019s top players. Fourth goal deflected in off him.<\/p>\n Marcus Pettersson C+ An island in a storm. But in this one, does that matter?<\/p>\n Tom Willander C+ Held his own, though maybe a little lucky<\/a> given how he struggled with puck possession and a couple big misses defending too.<\/p>\n Zeev Buium C He was fine.<\/p>\n Victor Mancini C+ His best game in a while, but the bar is pretty low.<\/p>\n Goalie<\/p>\n Kevin Lankinen C Tough night, with not much help in front of him.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n![\"Vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cp176007502_302168890.jpg\")
Vancouver Canucks’ Teddy Blueger and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brayden Point vie for the puck along the boards. Photo by DARRYL DYCK \/THE CANADIAN PRESSArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.8.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Tampa Bay Lightning\u2019s J.J. Moser, left, lifts Vancouver Canucks\u2019 Elias Pettersson\u2019s stick as they vie for the puck. Photo by DARRYL DYCK THE CANADIAN PRESS \/THE CANADIAN PRESS<\/p>\n![\"Tampa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cp176007973_302169430.jpg\")
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy makes a save as Vancouver Canucks\u2019 Brock Boeser tries to make a shot on goal. Photo by DARRYL DYCK THE CANADIAN PRESS \/THE CANADIAN PRESS<\/p>\n
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