Friday night at Rogers Arena was one of those games that felt closer than it really was. The Vancouver Canucks pushed, chased, and made it interesting late, but they spent too much of the night climbing uphill. The New Jersey Devils controlled the early tempo, built a lead through structure and special teams, and survived Vancouver’s late surge for a 5–4 win.
Related: NHL Morning Recap – January 24, 2026
This wasn’t a blowout or an effort issue. Vancouver stayed engaged, showed some fight, and had stretches where they tilted the ice. But the Canucks also gave New Jersey too many clean looks early, lost key special-teams moments, and once again found themselves reacting rather than dictating. In this part of the season, those details matter more than moral victories.
3 Positives for the Canucks Against the Devils
Here are three positives from Friday night’s game against the Devils.
Positive #1: The Canucks’ Compete Level Stayed Intact
There was no quit in Vancouver’s game, and that matters given where they are in the standings. Down 3–0 early in the second period, the Canucks didn’t fold. They pushed back, clawed within one goal multiple times, and made New Jersey earn the win right to the final minute. That push doesn’t show up in the standings, but it does show a group that hasn’t checked out.
Positive #2: The Canucks Got Contributions Beyond the Usual Names
Linus Karlsson continues to look like someone who belongs. He scored, created chaos around the net, and didn’t look overwhelmed by the pace. Teddy Blueger’s shorthanded goal was another reminder of what Vancouver has missed during his absence — speed, detail, and responsibility. Zeev Buium jumping into the play late for his second goal as a Canuck also stood out. These weren’t superstar moments, but they were useful ones.
Related: Canucks News & Rumours: Foote, Chytil & Friedman on Pettersson Trade
Positive #3: The Canucks’ Late-Game Pressure Was Real
When Kevin Lankinen went to the bench, Vancouver didn’t just throw pucks blindly. They created traffic, generated rebounds, and forced Jacob Markstrom to work. Brock Boeser’s late goal wasn’t fluky. It came from sustained pressure and net-front presence. The Canucks made the Devils uncomfortable, even if it came too late.
3 Canucks’ Negatives Against the Devils
Here are three negatives from Friday night’s game against the Devils.
Negative #1: The Canucks’ Early-Game Control Went Missing
The game tilted early, and Vancouver never fully recovered. New Jersey scored first, then quickly piled on in the second period. The Canucks were chasing structure instead of setting it. While good teams can survive slow starts, Vancouver can’t afford that. Good teams can occasionally survive slow starts. Teams in Vancouver’s position can’t afford them at all.
Negative #2: The Canucks’ Special Teams Didn’t Show Up Again
This was the clearest dividing line in the game. New Jersey went 2-for-3 on the power play. Vancouver went 0-for-2, and they gave up a short-handed goal earlier in the season; that trend continued. But on this night, it was the penalty kill that cracked. Adam Foote’s comment about drifting out of quadrants tells you everything — fatigue and detail slipped, and the Devils punished it immediately.
Negative #3: The Canucks’ Defence Lost Their Gaps at Bad Times
Cody Glass didn’t just have a big night because he was hot — he had space. Too often, Devils forwards got behind coverage or found soft ice near the slot. The partial breakaway goal in the third period was a backbreaker because it came right as Vancouver was pushing. Those are the moments that separate teams trying to climb from teams trying to survive.
What’s Next for the Canucks
At this stage, Vancouver isn’t chasing perfection — they’re chasing stability. The effort is mostly there. The belief flickers in and out. What’s missing is control at the start of games and discipline when momentum shifts.
Related: Mueller and Bains Are Turning Heads in the Canucks System
The Canucks don’t need miracles; they need cleaner starts, functional special teams, and fewer self-inflicted wounds. Until that happens, close losses will keep piling up, and moral victories won’t inch them up in the standings.
