The Vancouver Canucks play their second-to-last contest of an eight-game homestand on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks, a team riding a rare late-season wave of momentum. Anaheim is chasing its first playoff berth since 2017-18, and they’ve been doing it in dramatic style. They have been scoring late, stealing points, and generally making every game feel like a nail-biter. For Vancouver, it’s another tough game in a season that hasn’t been kind.
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The Canucks are coming off a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, a game that didn’t look good for Vancouver. Still, Marco Rossi assisted on Filip Hronek’s goal, extending his point streak to five games. That was the bright spot on a night when the team struggled to sustain energy, especially at home. Rogers Arena hasn’t been a fortress this season, with just eight wins in 36 games—an unenviable mark the team will hope to improve for pride’s sake.
Item One: Finding Offence Has Been a Challenge for the Canucks
If there’s one thing that defines the Canucks’ season, it’s inconsistency, especially in generating goals. They’ve been limited to two goals or fewer in five of the past seven games. The Ducks aren’t just another opponent. They are fast, opportunistic, and have thrived on late-game heroics all season. For the Canucks to be successful, they need to put pucks on net, create chaos in front of the crease, and get dirty in front of the net.
Rossi noted that flashes of energy aren’t enough; the team has to deliver a full 60-minute effort. That means showing up every shift, winning battles, backchecking, and staying tough in front of the net. Vancouver can’t afford to coast or hope for a single moment to turn the tide. It’s about playing their best hockey consistently, without shortcuts.
Item Two: Marco Rossi Has Been a Centre Ice Spark
Speaking of Rossie, he has been a joy to watch recently. There’s the novelty of a new top-six centre, but there’s more to it than that. He’s playing like a top-six centre should. He’s skating hard, making smart plays, and showing chemistry with . Rossi’s primary assist on Pettersson’s power-play goal against the Florida Panthers a week ago is a perfect example: a young player stepping into a tough situation and still trusting his teammate, threading passes, and reading the ice with confidence.
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What sets Rossi apart is his consistency and energy. He arrived in Vancouver after a high-profile trade, joining a team in a rough spot, but he’s shown the kind of effort that can’t be faked, even when the season feels lost. He’s got points in five straight games, racking up six points in the past three alone.
Vancouver handed him a big role, and he’s seizing it, reminding everyone that effort and opportunity can turn a player into a foundational piece for the future. While Rossi sparks the offence, Kevin Lankinen has kept the team in games from the back end.
Item Three: Kevin Lankinen Has Been Better Than His Numbers
Lankinen is showing he can still be a stabilizing force in goal. He’s been handed a tough situation, no question—the Canucks haven’t made life easy in front of him—but he’s had flashes this week that remind fans why he was signed. Lankinen was key in the Canucks’ win over the Panthers on Tuesday, and even in losses against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Blues, he kept Vancouver competitive far longer than the score suggests.
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What’s impressive is how he’s reasserted himself despite Nikita Tolopilo’s strong start after the Olympics. Lankinen has shown reflexes, calm under pressure, and timing that matters, not just on highlight reels but in the flow of a game. His two spectacular glove saves against the Lightning’s Brandon Hagel are a reminder that skill and poise can exist even when the scoreboard isn’t in your favour. With the playoffs out of reach, Lankinen can play freely, push himself, and remind everyone he’s a key piece down the stretch.
What’s Next for the Canucks?
Despite the rough season, we’ve seen signs of promise. Rossi’s streak, Hronek’s contributions, and Pettersson’s flashes all show that the team has pieces capable of making a difference. Vancouver has also already beaten Anaheim twice this season, proving they can rise to the occasion. That history gives them a little confidence heading into a matchup that, on paper, favours the Ducks.
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The bigger challenge is sustaining that performance. The Canucks can’t rely on moments of brilliance from individual players—they need the full squad engaged for 60 minutes. Every shift, every defensive play, every puck on net counts, particularly against a team jockeying for playoff position. It starts at puck drop, and it starts with Vancouver hockey done right. If the Canucks can push hard for all 60 minutes, the Ducks might be in for a surprise.
