The Vancouver Canucks snapped the Seattle Kraken's four-game winning streak with a gritty 3-2 shootout victory on Monday night, but the win did little to mask the team's ongoing offensive woes. The story of the night was goaltender Kevin Lankinen, whose stellar performance saved the day and secured two crucial points for the visitors.
Lankinen Stands Tall as Scoring Struggles Linger
Facing a relentless Seattle attack, Lankinen was the undeniable first star at Climate Pledge Arena. He turned aside all 16 third-period shots as the Canucks managed only three of their own, finishing the game outshot 39-24 overall. His brilliance extended to the shootout, where he stopped both Kraken attempts to preserve the win. Lankinen has now stopped all 17 shootout attempts he has faced this season.
"My confidence has always been good and I just try to keep an even keel," Lankinen said post-game. "Enjoy the moments when I can help the team win. I've put in a lot of work to elevate my level."
While the goaltending excelled, the Canucks' scoring troubles were again front and centre. The team ranks 23rd in offence and saw another quiet night from key forwards. Brock Boeser is now without a goal in 13 games, prompting head coach Adam Foote to experiment with line combinations, including pairing Elias Pettersson with Boeser and uniting former Minnesota Wild teammates Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren.
Ohgren provided a bright spot, scoring the shootout-winning goal. Pettersson also scored in regulation, his 194th NHL goal, moving him past Alex Burrows into 11th place on the Canucks' all-time list.
Tocchet's Emotional Return to Rogers Arena
The narrative quickly shifts to a poignant matchup on New Year's Eve, as the Philadelphia Flyers and head coach Rick Tocchet arrive in Vancouver. This marks Tocchet's first game back at Rogers Arena since his departure from the Canucks after the 2024-25 season.
Tocchet, who won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in Vancouver, spoke fondly of his time with the team and its passionate fan base on Monday. "I was only here two and a half years, but it was a lot of fun," he said. "They show up... I remember in the playoffs, them chanting people's names. I haven't really heard that much in other buildings."
He specifically recalled the overwhelming fan support after a second-round playoff loss. "There's like 50,000 people in Surrey (partying in the streets). That's how starved they are and what they'll do to support a winner. So how can you not love a fan base like that?"
Flyers Look to Exploit Canucks' Weaknesses
The Flyers will present a significant challenge. They defeated the Canucks earlier this season and will look to exploit Vancouver's 25th-ranked goals-for average (2.76) and third-worst goals-against average (3.42). Philadelphia's ability to score from the net-front area and sustain pressure in the third period were key factors in their previous win.
Special teams could also play a pivotal role. The Canucks possess a middling penalty kill, offering the Flyers' power play a chance to find its rhythm. Conversely, Vancouver's 12th-ranked power play could test Philadelphia's penalty-killing units.
As the Canucks enjoy a hard-fought win, the focus immediately turns to closing out 2025 against a familiar face behind the opposing bench, in a game that will test their ability to solve their scoring issues against a well-prepared opponent.
