By AakashSports_
In a gritty, resilient display on the road, the Vancouver Canucks edged out the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in a shootout at the United Center. The win marks an important moment for Vancouver as they continue their early-season road swing.
First Period: Blackhawks Strike Early
Chicago came out firing, building a 2-0 lead in the opening frame and putting Vancouver in a hole right away. The first goal came via a well-executed power play, with Ryan Donato tapping home a pass from Andre Burakovsky at 12:41.
Then, with under a minute left in the period, Tyler Bertuzzi snapped a rebound past Vancouver’s goalie after the Canucks netminder lost his stick. That made it 2-0 and seemed to set the tone for Chicago’s home crowd.
For Vancouver, it was a rough start. The legs appeared heavy; the team was coming off a tough but hard earned comeback win against Dallas, and the early deficit had the Canucks in noticeable catch-up mode. Head coach Adam Foote admitted as much: “We made it a little bit harder than we had to, but I like the way we kept going and came back again.”
Second Period: Canucks Wake Up
The tide shifted in the second when Vancouver began to find its rhythm. At 6:49 of the middle frame, Jake DeBrusk — celebrating his 29th birthday — scored his first goal of the season on the power play off a feed from Conor Garland. The goal gave the Canucks new life and momentum.
Then, with just over six minutes remaining in the period, Max Sasson tied the game. He scooped up a pass from Filip Hronek at the bottom of the right circle and tapped in the puck — his second goal in as many nights. Suddenly, the Canucks had erased the deficit and regained their footing.
From there, Vancouver held control of the pace. The third period saw no goals in regulation, and the game headed to overtime and eventually a shootout.
Shootout & Heroics: Boeser and Lankinen Deliver
With the score tied at 2-2 after 60 minutes, all eyes turned to the shootout. Vancouver’s goalie Kevin Lankinen, ironically a former Blackhawk, was sharp, stopping all four shootout attempts he faced and finishing with 31 saves in regulation and overtime.
The deciding moment came in the fourth round when Brock Boeser skated clean in on Chicago’s Spencer Knight and snapped the puck glove-side. It sealed a 3-2 victory for Vancouver, their second straight win and 11th consecutive triumph over the Blackhawks.
What It Means for Vancouver
This was more than just another win. A few takeaways stand out:
- Resilience on the road: To trail 2-0 early and come back shows character and commitment.
- Momentum building: This victory makes it two in a row for Vancouver, reinforcing their confidence during a challenging road trip.
- Goaltending stability: Lankinen’s 31-save performance and shootout composure proved that depth in net can make all the difference.
- Special teams impact: Vancouver’s power play clicked at key moments, didn’t get the goals when needed, such as the opportunities in the third to close it out, and their penalty kill held strong late.
- Continued dominance: Eleven straight wins over Chicago is no coincidence, this matchup has clearly favored the Canucks in recent years.
Areas for Improvement
Despite the victory, there are still areas Vancouver can tighten up:
- Slow starts: Falling behind early remains a concern. The Canucks can’t afford to chase games every night.
- Defensive lapses: The first-period coverage breakdowns could have cost them.
- Offensive consistency: While the comeback was impressive, Vancouver’s attack slowed in the third, producing only 11 shots to Chicago’s seven.
Looking Ahead
The Canucks will now carry this hard-fought win into their next challenge against the Washington Capitals. If they can continue to build off their resilience and energy from this game, they’ll have a strong foundation for the upcoming stretch.
For Chicago, there’s frustration. They held a solid 2-0 lead after one period but couldn’t close it out at home. Head coach Jeff Blashill noted the team’s lapse in intensity: “We go up 2-0 … we just can’t give them life.” The Blackhawks will need to regroup quickly before their next outing.
Final Thoughts
Turning the tide of a game — especially on the road — often defines a team’s character. The Vancouver Canucks showed that character in Chicago. They stumbled early, fought back, executed when it mattered most, and left with two valuable points.
As the season progresses, this win could serve as a building block — a reminder that the Canucks are a team capable of weathering adversity and responding with poise. On this night, they controlled their story, and the Blackhawks could only watch as Vancouver’s resilience took center stage.
A defining night in the Windy City — and another chapter in the Canucks’ growing belief that this season could be something special.
