The Canucks collected a win in second half of back-to-back tests and their first two-game win streak since December. It said something about not quitting.<\/p>\n
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Published Apr 12, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 45\u00a0minutes ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 7 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 Anaheim Ducks were hoping to punch their ticket to the NHL post-season for the first time in seven years Sunday \u2014 and keep the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> from playing playoff spoiler \u2014 but they\u2019ll have to wait for another night.<\/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. 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 SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/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. 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 When Marco Rossi picked the short side on an overtime power play with 10 seconds left in the skills show, the Canucks collected a 4-3 win in the second half of back-to-back tests and sealed their first two-game win streak since December. And in a season gone so horribly sideways to sink to the bottom of the league standings, it said something about not quitting and providing some hope for the future.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Canucks, however, have seldom found the easy way to victory \u2014 and Sunday was another example.<\/p>\n When Brock Boeser<\/a> scored a spectacular short-handed goal in the third period to put his club up 3-1 \u2014 he knocked a puck loose in his own zone, sped away on a break and went to a forehand deke to roof his 22nd goal of the season \u2014 the prospect beating the high-flying Ducks for the third time in four meetings this season seemed possible.<\/p>\n But the Ducks would strike for two goals in less than three minutes to send the struggle to overtime. That\u2019s where Boeser was stopped on a trio of power play shots before the issue was settled.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a good effort,\u201d said Canucks head coach Adam Foote. \u201cIt was a playoff atmosphere and we showed up early, especially on a back-to-back and it\u2019s been a great road trip. Good resilience and we regained our emotions and played a good game. You saw us fight for each other tonight. You could feel the energy.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It might not make the highlight reels, but the jump for joy certainly should.<\/p>\n When towering Canucks grinder Curtis Douglas got the net in the first period, established position with his imposing 6-foot-9 frame and banged home a rebound, he marked his first NHL career goal in 41 games with a memorable celebratory leap and was then mobbed by teammates.<\/p>\n \u201cI kind of blacked out, to be honest,\u201d said Douglas. \u201cRats (Aatu Raty) made a good play for a tip and I finally got an open net and almost missed it. It was pretty special. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever be able to forget that one and seeing the bench excited for me.\u201d<\/p>\n It was almost like Douglas, 26, had just won the Stanley Cup because the waiver-wire claim and unrestricted free agent wanted to show he can be more than a protector and scrapper. And even though he answered that bell in the opening period, he has always thought he could do more with his stick instead of his fists.<\/p>\n What he did Sunday was to remind himself, and his teammates, that you can find joy in a sour season gone sideways. Especially when Teddy Blueger<\/a> fought Radko Gudas after his heavy first-period hit on Liam Ohgren.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Teddy stepped up and answered the bell, we made a decision to stay with each other the whole game and make sure we put our best foot forward,\u201d added Douglas. \u201cWe\u2019ve been trying to adjust a lot of things and you\u2019re seeing our character in the last few games with unity. Fun to be part of.\u201d<\/p>\n Said Foote: \u201cHe gave us energy. On a short back-to-back we needed a guy to play a physical game and match their intensity. He drags you into the fight when you feel like you might not have your legs. Happy for him. Coachable. Fun to be around.\u201d<\/p>\n For his part, Blueger liked what he saw about the resolve to respond in what often became a chippy affair.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was really good,\u201d said Blueger. \u201cWe\u2019re doing a lot good things and sticking together and supporting each other and the results come when you do that consistently. We\u2019re in a position where it\u2019s easy to quit and stop playing and we\u2019re not doing that. We have to finish the year like that. We\u2019re building good habits.\u201d<\/p>\n Streaky scorer Jake DeBrusk is not happy with his season, but has six goals in his last nine games.<\/p>\n The opportunistic winger is up to 21 on the season \u2014 and 18 goals on the power play which ranks fourth in the NHL \u2014 because he did what he does best Sunday. He got into position in the slot and put a deft stick deflection home by angling his blade in perfect position to find the top part of the net. It\u2019s a craft and he\u2019s very good at it.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n However, with the Canucks ranked second last in scoring, but making progression with a vastly-improved power play, it begs the question as the Canucks start to think about next season: Who is going to score?<\/p>\n DeBrusk, 29, who hit a career high 28 goals last season, should be part of the solution but has several prolonged scoring droughts this campaign including a 10-game funk to put him in a funk. He was a healthy scratch for one game and that didn\u2019t sit well.<\/p>\n He\u2019s on the books for five more seasons at US$5.5 million annually, so in an increasing cap ceiling world, he makes sense to retain, even in a roster rebuild commitment if he doesn\u2019t want to be moved.<\/p>\n The Ducks knew the only way to return to the post-season was to draft better, rapidly develop prime prospects, and support them with veterans to help lead the way back to the second season.<\/p>\n And with a current roster that features 10 draft picks, and six who are 23 years of age or younger, the Ducks are on the fast track to becoming an annual playoff fixture and problem for the opposition. It\u2019s what the Canucks hope to become some day.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Anaheim\u2019s roster includes six free agents and eight players acquired through trades to provide roster balance plus push and pace. Above all, the Ducks realized that youth is being served much younger with today\u2019s highest skilled and willed players. They also know you can\u2019t miss on first-round picks and they\u2019ve hit on Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov and Beckett Sennecke.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s put it this way: The numbers are numbing in what the Ducks have in their young players.<\/p>\n Anaheim\u2019s 124 goals by players 22-or-younger are the most in a season through 79 games since the 2021-22 New Jersey Devils.<\/p>\n The Ducks also lead with 137 goals by players 23-or-younger and is the first club with three forwards 22-or-younger with 60 or more points in a season since 2017-18 \u2014 Carlsson (27-37-64), Cutter Gauthier (40-27-67), Sennecke (23-37-60) \u2014 joining Toronto\u2019s Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and Willam Nylander that season.<\/p>\n Gauthier scored twice Sunday and Carlsson sent the game into overtime.<\/p>\n Anaheim is also the only team this season with three players 22 or younger with 20 goals apiece. It\u2019s also the only club\u00a0with multiple players 24-or-younger with 20 goals and 60 points apiece this season.<\/p>\n Advertisement 7<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Jake DeBrusk (C+)<\/p>\n Great goal, but his line should have generated more than four shots.<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a> (C-)<\/p>\n Another quiet night. No zip. No shots, just 5-for-15 on draws (33%).<\/p>\n Nils Hoglander<\/a> (C)<\/p>\n Lots of try and hustle, good tip chance in first, but four giveaways.<\/p>\n Liam Ohgren (C+)<\/p>\n Speed caught Ducks\u2019 attention, fed Blueger tip chance off rush.<\/p>\n Teddy Blueger<\/a> (C+)<\/p>\n Challenged Gudas to scrap after big hit on Ohgren. Culture carrier.<\/p>\n Brock Boeser<\/a> (B)<\/p>\n Gamer. Scored short-handed beauty on breakaway, three OT shots.<\/p>\n Drew O\u2019Connor (C)<\/p>\n Drove net hard in overtime to draw penalty and PP finally struck<\/p>\n Marco Rossi (C+)<\/p>\n Little line chemistry but pulled trigger in OT to salvage his day.<\/p>\n Linus Karlsson (C)<\/p>\n Good pursuit chance at side of net in first period, that was it.<\/p>\n Curtis Douglas (C+)<\/p>\n Big guy scored big goal, dropped the mitts, did his job well.<\/p>\n Ty Mueller (C)<\/p>\n Read game well and moxy in face-off dot, won five of six.<\/p>\n Aatu Raty (C+)<\/p>\n His game is winning draws at both end and went 9-for-16.<\/p>\n Defence<\/p>\n Zeev Buium (C+)<\/p>\n Had that quickness to transition pucks, three shots, two blocks.<\/p>\n Advertisement 8<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Filip Hronek<\/a> (B)<\/p>\n Had assist to equal career high of 48 points in season. Six shots.<\/p>\n Marcus Pettersson (C)<\/p>\n Simple is the solution for veteran. Effective when not indecisive.<\/p>\n Tom Willander (C)<\/p>\n Great wheels but needs better awareness with trio of giveaways.<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a> (C+)<\/p>\n Plus-2, five hits made good impression. Learning to pick his spots.<\/p>\n Kirill Kudryavtsev (C)<\/p>\n First NHL game of season, third overall, two shots, three attempts.<\/p>\n Goal<\/p>\n Nikita Tolopilo (B)<\/p>\n Series of solid back-to-back saves off rush in second. Kept club in it.<\/p>\n bkuzma@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks Coffee: Two ex-coaches grinding their way to the playoffs? Huh<\/p>\n![\"Ty](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2271057227_302558935.jpg\")
Ty Mueller #39 congratulates Curtis Douglas #42 of the Vancouver Canucks after his first career NHL goal during the first period against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on April 12, 2026 in Anaheim, California. The Canucks won 4-3 in overtime. Photo by Sean M. Haffey \/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.9.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Towering Canucks grinder Curtis Douglas willingly fights Jeffrey Viel of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period Sunday at the Honda Center. Photo by Sean M. Haffey \/Getty ImagesMount Douglas erupts, first NHL goal<\/p>\n![\"Canucks](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.9.1\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-vs-canucksReport.svg\"\/){kind=icon}
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Jake DeBrusk skates toward the bench after scoring a goal during the first period Photo by Sean M. Haffey \/Getty ImagesDeBrusk\u2019s deft touch strikes again<\/p>\n![\"Radko](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2271057101_302558871.jpg\")
Radko Gudas #7 of the Anaheim Ducks fights Teddy Blueger #53 of the Vancouver Canucks during the first period Photo by Sean M. Haffey \/Getty ImagesDucks building the better beast<\/p>\n![\"Brock](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2271071204_302560035.jpg\")
Brock Boeser shoots and scores a goal past Lukas Dostal during the third period Photo by Sean M. Haffey \/Getty ImagesThose numbers are numbing<\/p>\n![\"Elias](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2271057633_302558971.jpg\")
Elias Pettersson is tripped by Tyson Hinds #60 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period Photo by Sean M. Haffey \/Getty ImagesREPORT CARDSForwards<\/p>\n![\"Ottawa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hkn-senators_302474789.jpg\")
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