Kings 2, Canucks 1 (OT): Another One Slips Away

Some nights, you can feel a game tilting your way early, and for a moment, the Vancouver Canucks thought this might be one of those nights. Elias Pettersson looked to have scored 35 seconds in, the kind of tone-setter that calms a road team and rattles a home crowd. But after a long review, the puck was judged not to be fully across the line. Then came two more challenges in those chaotic first five minutes, and suddenly the whole game felt like it was being played underwater. Every time Vancouver tried to build momentum, the horn sounded, and everyone had to stand around to see what Toronto thought of it.

Still, the Canucks hung in there. Evander Kane’s breakaway goal—right out of the penalty box—was a small spark on a night when chances were scarce. And Kevin Lankinen, back from personal leave, gave them the kind of steady goaltending that keeps a team believing. But in tight games, the Kings are comfortable living in the mud. When Adrian Kempe circled back into that open slot in overtime, it almost felt inevitable, even if the Canucks didn’t think he’d get the chance.

Key Point One: The Canucks’ Lankinen Deserved Better

Kevin Lankinen’s quiet 21-save night was exactly what Vancouver needed—calm, positional, and reliable. He battled through traffic and late scrambles, giving the Canucks every chance to steal one on the road.

Key Point Two: Vancouver Lost Its Rhythm After Early Reviews

The triple-review opening period disrupted Vancouver’s flow more than Los Angeles’. Every early spark was followed by a whistle and a wait, and the Canucks never found their preferred pace.

Key Point Three: Canucks’ Evander Kane Provided a Needed Goal

Evander Kane’s timely goal and strong shifts stood out in a low-event game. He created the few dangerous looks Vancouver had and played with a purpose that the rest of the forward group struggled to match.

Final Thoughts from the Canucks’ Perspective

For a team that’s now lost five of six, this one stings not because they were outclassed, but because it was there to be taken. The structure held, the goaltending was strong, and the defensive mistakes were minimal. But the finish wasn’t there, especially at key moments in the third and overtime.

Conor Garland’s absence didn’t help. His energy would’ve been welcome on a night when every inch of ice felt contested. Still, Vancouver can take comfort in knowing they defended well and stayed composed during a messy, stop-and-start affair.

The lesson is simple: tight games like this demand one more play. The Canucks had chances—they just didn’t land the decisive punch.