The Vancouver Canucks' crucial six-game road trip began with a mix of frustration and a late spark, culminating in a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Despite a third-period rally that turned a 4-0 deficit into a nail-biter, the Canucks couldn't complete the comeback at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
Sherwood's Standout Night Fuels Speculation
All eyes were on unrestricted free agent Kiefer Sherwood, who delivered a performance that underscored why he's one of the most coveted players ahead of the NHL trade deadline. The feisty right-winger was a force throughout the game, firing six shots on goal and registering nine total attempts. He is currently on pace for a career-high 33 goals this season.
Sherwood was particularly dangerous on the power play, generating three high-quality chances from the bumper position in the first period alone, forcing tough saves from Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He also created a short-handed opportunity with a slick steal in the second period and later set up Jake DeBrusk during the Canucks' late push. His relentless style, characterized by a strong stride and a heavy, accurate shot, was on full display.
However, the night wasn't without a costly mistake. A turnover at the Sabres' blue line during a first-period power play led directly to a 2-on-1 break and Buffalo's second goal, a play Sherwood would later bemoan.
Late Rally Falls Short in Buffalo
The game appeared to be a blowout early, with the Sabres building a 4-0 lead by the early stages of the third period. Alex Tuch capitalized on a defensive breakdown to make it 3-0 in the second, with Canucks defenders Tyler Myers and Pierre-Olivier Joseph caught out of position.
The Canucks showed commendable fight to make it interesting. Sparked by a double-minor penalty drawn by Jake DeBrusk, the team mounted a furious comeback. DeBrusk scored his 11th of the season down low on the power play. Just over a minute later, Elias Pettersson ripped a turnaround shot from the slot to cut the lead to 4-2.
The momentum continued as Liam Ohgren found the net just 39 seconds after Pettersson's goal, suddenly making it a 4-3 game and turning a potential laugher into a tense finale. The rally ultimately fell short, with Buffalo adding an empty-netter for the 5-3 final.
Contract Crossroads for a Coveted UFA
The game amplified the ongoing storyline surrounding Sherwood's future. Reports indicate the Canucks have presented a contract offer in the range of US$4 million annually over four to five years, a significant raise from his current $1.5 million cap hit. This comes after talks were reportedly far apart just days ago.
As an undrafted player who has worked his way up on a series of one-year, league-minimum deals, Sherwood's camp is in a position to seek a major payday. His gritty, playoff-style game has drawn a long line of potential trade suitors. The dilemma for Vancouver is balancing the need for his scoring and tenacity against a stated organizational goal of getting younger; Sherwood turns 31 on March 31.
Some analysts suggest the Canucks' contract offer may also be a tactic to drive up his market value ahead of a potential trade, ensuring a better return if they decide to move the impactful winger.
Goaltender Thatcher Demko made several key saves to keep the Canucks within reach during the first two periods, including stops on Tuch and Owen Power, and taking a shot off his mask.
The Canucks continue their demanding 10-day, six-game road trip, looking to build on the resilience shown in the third period while addressing the defensive lapses that put them in an early hole.
