By AakashSports_

The Vancouver Canucks dropped a tough one in Minnesota, falling 5–2 to the Wild on Saturday night. Vancouver showed signs of life late, but the mistakes and slow start cost them another road win.

Game Summary
Minnesota carried the play early and stayed in control most of the night. The Canucks fought back in stretches, but each time they gained ground, the Wild pushed right back and re-established the lead.

First Period
The Wild opened the scoring late in the first when Vladimir Tarasenko scored on the power play at 15:53, set up by Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy. Vancouver struggled to clear the zone and gave Minnesota too many looks early, forcing Thatcher Demko to make several strong saves just to keep it close.

Second Period
Vancouver got one back when Drew O’Connor scored his first goal of the season at 5:34, assisted by Mackenzie MacEachern and Aatu Raty. The play came from a good forecheck and a net-front presence that paid off.

But the Wild regained the lead at 13:49 when Marco Rossi finished a quick passing play to make it 2–1. From there, Minnesota dictated the tempo. The Canucks were stuck defending more than attacking and couldn’t find a rhythm through the neutral zone.

Third Period
The Wild broke the game open in the third. Vinnie Hinostroza scored at 4:07 to extend the lead to 3–1, followed shortly by a Jonas Brodin goal at 5:46 that made it 4–1. Brodin jumped into the rush, and the Canucks were slow to react.

O’Connor scored again midway through the period to give Vancouver a spark and make it 4–2, but that was as close as they came. Ryan Hartman sealed the night for Minnesota with an empty-net goal at 16:43, putting the game out of reach.

Bright Spots

• Drew O’Connor was a clear positive with both Vancouver goals. He played with energy and gave the team a lift in a tough game.
• Getting some scoring depth, but can’t rely on Sherwoods and O’Connors to keep you in the game.
• Demko made key saves early that kept it from getting out of hand in the first period.

What Went Wrong

• The Canucks started flat. Falling behind early forced them to chase the game.
• Defensive gaps in front of the net allowed the Wild too many easy looks.
• The power play failed to generate momentum, while the penalty kill gave up the opening goal.
• Vancouver’s puck movement through the middle of the ice wasn’t clean enough to break Minnesota’s structure.

Coaching Notes
The team has played too many games from behind, and the defensive zone structure looks disconnected when pressure mounts. Fatigue and travel are factors, but the core mistakes—slow starts, missed assignments, and unforced errors—remain. The top guys aren’t stepping up, in moments when you need them to.

Why This Loss Matters
This wasn’t just about the score. The Canucks looked like a team that still hasn’t found its full game on the road. When they play from behind, their system tends to stretch and lose balance. It’s a reminder that discipline and detail are what separate a close loss from a comeback win.

What’s Next
Their next stretch of games need to be about grinding wins, being better on the PK, and capitalizing on the powerplay, starting stronger, and cutting down on the defensive confusion that has cost them points. O’Connor’s performance was a positive sign, but Vancouver will need more than effort—they’ll need execution.

They face the Nashville Predators next at Bridgestone Arena, and it’s an opportunity to respond with purpose.