The lanky winger has shown great heart this season, he skates like the wind and he’s scored timely goals to boot<\/p>\n
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Published Jan 29, 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 Earlier this week a couple reporters in the Rogers Arena<\/a> press box were debating who the Vancouver Canucks<\/a>\u2019 most exciting player this season is.<\/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 Given that both Quinn Hughes<\/a> and Kiefer Sherwood have been traded away and the relatively dull seasons Conor Garland<\/a>, Evander Kane, Elias Pettersson<\/a> and Jake DeBrusk are having, the options are few.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Linus Karlsson, perhaps? He\u2019s scored some true gems this season and his work along the boards draws deserved praise. But fleet of foot he\u2019s not.<\/p>\n No, in this columnist\u2019s eyes there\u2019s really only one obvious choice: Drew O\u2019Connor.<\/p>\n The lanky winger has shown great heart this season, he skates like the wind and he\u2019s scored timely goals to boot.<\/p>\n That it was O\u2019Connor who scored the game\u2019s lone goal halfway through the third period, breaking up what had been an otherwise very dull hockey game, deserves immense praise. It was his second game-winning goal of the year, making him the only current and healthy Canuck to have multiple game-winning goals this season: Brock Boeser<\/a> and the departed Sherwood are the other.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a good play by Jake,\u201d O\u2019Connor said of his goal post-game. \u201cJust wanted to get it off quick. I think those ones sometimes when the goalie is sliding over it\u2019s better to get it off as quick as you can.\u201d<\/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 This game wasn\u2019t up to much through 50 minutes. You figured, given the defensive frailties of both the Canucks and the visiting Anaheim Ducks, that there would at least be plenty of scoring opportunities.<\/p>\n Somehow there wasn\u2019t. There were plenty of pucks thrown on net but few were truly threatening and either way, the game\u2019s goalies stood tall on nearly every shot fired their way.<\/p>\n After some tough games, Nikita Tolopilo was outstanding in net for Vancouver in what won\u2019t officially go down as his first career shutout \u2014 but hopefully it will still be remembered as such. And for Anaheim, Lukas Dostal was his as-advertised excellent self.<\/p>\n Nope, because Kevin Lankinen came in to start the second period \u2014 Tolopilo was pulled by the concussion spotter after he\u2019d been bowled over late in the first by Ryan Poehling \u2014 this was technically a team shutout. Lankinen did also make one save, so even though Tolopilo is the story, it\u2019s not totally his shutout.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Too bad. The kid was great.<\/p>\n Lankinen said post-game that the spotter had actually called for the giant rookie to be assessed before the end of the first period and so Lankinen had his mask on and was ready to go in as the opening frame wound down, but with no whistle before time expired on the first, he never went in.<\/p>\n Foote said after the game that the assessment in this case required Tolopilo to remove all his gear and so even though he was cleared before the end of the intermission, he wasn\u2019t fully dressed in time for puck drop.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had to take all his gear off for some reason, compared to actual players,\u201d the coach observed. \u201cSo that\u2019s why it took so long. When you do that test, it\u2019s usually about a 15 minute test. We were trying to stall it, but we just didn\u2019t have the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Astute fans may have noticed that Lankinen didn\u2019t sit back on the bench in the back-up\u2019s spot when Tolopilo returned, as he usually does, during the second period.<\/p>\n \u201cI just stayed in (the room) because I was a little sweaty. I didn\u2019t want to stay up in the cold, cold, cold bench,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n He was back sitting there in the third period.<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a>. C+ Attacking well early. Not a great neutral zone decision before the rush that ended with Ryan Poehling running over Nikita Tolopilo, but that also wasn\u2019t Pettersson\u2019s fault. A couple nice chances over the game but he\u2019s had bigger nights.<\/p>\n Evander Kane. C. Really very little going on. Managed to deke himself out on a breakaway.<\/p>\n Conor Garland<\/a>. C. Dumb dumb penalty. And he\u2019ll know that. Foote: \u201cJust one that was his juices were flowing. He knows not to do that. \u2026 I won\u2019t say too much. Actually I think I might not have to because you took care of it.\u201d<\/p>\n David Kampf. C+. Another totally reasonable game. Too bad he has no offensive ability.<\/p>\n Filip Chytil. C+. Good on faceoffs but was mostly on the wing and he was mostly invisible.<\/p>\n Linus Karlsson. C+. He was fine. Had a nice chance on the power play.<\/p>\n Teddy Blueger<\/a>. B. Cool as a cucumber on the late PK and gets the empty-netter.<\/p>\n Liam Ohgren. C. He was playing?<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Jonathan Lekkerimaki. C. Some really nice touches through the neutral zone but struggled overall to make an impact.<\/p>\n Aatu Raty. C+. Was around the puck well enough.<\/p>\n Drew O\u2019Connor. B. Guy\u2019s having a great season. Bless him for finally scoring. Dostal called his shot a butterfly. In the end it was all about just getting the puck off fast.<\/p>\n Jake DeBrusk. C+. Rough first but when the game needed a hero, there was DeBrusk forcing a turnover and setting up O\u2019Connor for the opening goal.<\/p>\n Elias Junior Pettersson. A. His best game of the year. Physical. Smart on the puck.<\/p>\n Filip Hronek<\/a>. B. Another big night from the team\u2019s top defenceman.<\/p>\n P-O Joseph. C+. Nice breakout pass early. Maybe his best game on the year.<\/p>\n Tyler Myers<\/a>. C+. A very active night. Pretty good on breakouts.<\/p>\n Marcus Pettersson. C. Struggled to get out of his zone. Another tough night overall.<\/p>\n Tom Willander. C. Similar to his veteran partner. Had two nice moments skating the puck. But needs more overall.<\/p>\n Goalie<\/p>\n Nikita Tolopilo. A.\u00a0Brilliant, steady effort. Everyone knows that was a shutout, even if it\u2019s not officially. And for a guy who got lit up a week ago by Edmonton, you\u2019ve got to be happy for him.<\/p>\n Kevin Lankinen. Incomplete. One for one on saves. Did his job.<\/p>\n pjohnston@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks Notebook: What to learn from Ducks taking flight<\/p>\n![\"Vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cp175703981-1-_301042859.jpg\")
Vancouver Canucks’ Drew O’Connor (18), Jake DeBrusk (74) and Aatu Raty (54) celebrate O’Connor’s goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Rogers Arena on Thursday night. The Canucks won 2-0. Photo by Darryl Dyck \/THE CANADIAN PRESSArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.4.0\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Vancouver Canucks goalie Nikita Tolopilo (60) makes the save as Elias Pettersson (25) and Anaheim Ducks\u2019 Chris Kreider (20) watch during the second period Photo by Darryl Dyck \/THE CANADIAN PRESSWait, not a shutout?<\/p>\n![\"Anaheim](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cp175703588_301041351.jpg\")
Anaheim Ducks\u2019 Ryan Poehling (25) crashes into Vancouver Canucks goalie Nikita Tolopilo (60) during the first period Photo by Darryl Dyck \/THE CANADIAN PRESSPlayer Grades<\/p>\n![\"Vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cp175703618_301041539.jpg\")
Drew O\u2019Connor (18) and Anaheim Ducks\u2019 Jeffrey Viel (28) get into a scuffle during the first period Photo by Darryl Dyck \/THE CANADIAN PRESSDefence<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cp173473893.jpg\")
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