The Seattle Kraken play the Vancouver Canucks tonight, suddenly a lot more desperate. Since the Olympic break, Seattle has stumbled to a 2-6-0 record, and just when it seemed like they might cling to a playoff spot, Thursday night delivered a reality check. The Kraken were hammered 5-1 at home by the Colorado Avalanche. Then, the San Jose Sharks picked up a win against the Boston Bruins. Just like that, Seattle finds itself on the outside looking in.
The Canucks, meanwhile, finally gave their fans something to cheer about Thursday night. They snapped a frustrating stretch with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Nashville Predators. The team fell behind 3-1 but showed resilience. Defenceman Filip Hronek tied the game with just over a minute remaining in regulation, and Jake DeBrusk converted in the shootout to seal the win.
Related: Are Liam and Markus Ruck Destined to Become Canucks?
Tonight’s game will be the fourth and final meeting between these geographically close rivals this season. The teams have already split two shootout decisions, and Seattle claimed a convincing 5-1 victory on Feb. 28.
Item One: Marco Rossi Continues to Drive Vancouver’s Offence
If there’s one bright spot emerging for Vancouver lately, it’s Marco Rossi. He had a goal and two assists against Nashville and seemed involved in nearly every dangerous moment the Canucks created. For a team that has struggled to generate offence consistently this season, Rossi’s playmaking and puck skills stand out.
Even with the Canucks at the very bottom of the standings, games like this are exactly what the organization wants to see at this stage of the season. Young players stepping forward, gaining confidence, and showing they can drive play against NHL competition matters as much as wins right now. If Rossi keeps trending this way, Vancouver may have found a key piece for its future forward group.
Item Two: Evander Kane’s Return Gives the Lineup a Jolt
Another positive for Vancouver was the return of Evander Kane. He missed one game with an upper-body injury but was back in the lineup Thursday.
Related: Canucks News & Rumours: Youth Movement, Klimovich & Race for McKenna
This is the season where, under the old collective bargaining agreement (CBA) rules, Kane might not even still be with the team. He’s the type of player teams usually grab as a postseason rental because he’s someone who brings a mix of edge, grit, and scoring. The Canucks had hoped to move him at the trade deadline, but he’s still here. That doesn’t change the fact that he’s a good player; it just highlights how lost he is on a rebuilding team.
Even when he’s not on the scoresheet, Kane brings physicality and a willingness to attack the net. These are elements the Canucks often lack. For a team trying to finish a tough season with some momentum, having that energy back matters. It may not change the standings, but it can absolutely change the tone of Vancouver’s games down the stretch.
Item Three: Canucks Prospect Braeden Cootes Explodes for Four Points in WHL Rout
The good news for Canucks fans isn’t only at Rogers Arena. Down in the Western Hockey League (WHL), 19-year-old forward Braeden Cootes lit up the scoreboard, scoring a goal and adding three assists as the Prince Albert Raiders routed the Moose Jaw Warriors 11-0 on Friday. Nearly everyone on the Raiders had a strong night, but Cootes was right at the center of the action.
Related: Ranking the NHL’s 32 Goal Horns
This performance is especially encouraging because Cootes missed time earlier in March with an injury. He looked fully back up to speed, showcasing the playmaking and offensive instincts that make him a real prospect for Vancouver. He now has 22 goals and 57 points in 42 games this season between Prince Albert and the Seattle Thunderbirds.
With the Canucks’ organizational depth down the middle looking thin, Cootes is one of the few young centers in the system who could realistically compete for a spot in Vancouver by the 2026-27 season.
What’s Next for the Canucks?
For Vancouver, the focus now is twofold: building some late-season momentum and continuing to evaluate the young pieces that will form the core of the future. Rossi’s emergence, Kane’s return, and Cootes’ continued development are all bright spots in an otherwise challenging season. The team needs to keep encouraging players to take those small steps, both in confidence and in performance, even if the playoff picture is long gone.
Related: Canucks News & Rumours: Boeser, Rossi, Hronek, Tolopilo & Brunette
The Saturday matchup with the Kraken will be another chance to see how the team responds under pressure, especially against a desperate opponent fighting for playoff relevance. Wins may be rare, but lessons learned from each game — grit, effort, chemistry — are what matter most for a rebuilding Canucks team. Every shift, goal, and defensive play is another opportunity to figure out what this roster can become in the years ahead.
