NUCKS SWEEP THE LAFFING SERIES 2-0 - OG PETE GETS AN A
Nucks start the 4 Reasons break with a 3 game win streak! Wooo!
Canucks have a 10-1-0 record in their last 11 home games against the Maple Laffs.
We didn't get Quinn back, but we may have got a taste of actual EP40. But we may have lost Demmers again. So Canucks.
1ST
Nucks were pretty feisty to start. The more aggressive team early.
Even better, EP40 was the most engaged we've seen him in ummm... a long time. He changed the tone of the game with a wicked reverse hit on Ben-wa.
Wait... the leafs have a player named Ben-wa? Ummm... that had to suck in junior high...
Twitch
A moment later on the same shift, OG Petey setup Ronnie for the 1st goal of the game.
WOOO!! HRONEY! EP40 with the apple! Suck it anti-petes.
Twitch
That's the GWG! That lasted almost 40 minutes!
However, during the commercial break 10 minutes into the game, Demmers goes to the bench and takes himself out. Why?! We don't know,
🥴😔 Why can’t we have nice things? #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) February 8, 2025 at 5:31 PM
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Only down a goalie, Canucks lead 1-0 after 1.
2ND
Nucks with the insurmountable 1 goal lead, they can coast a little. Get outshot 14-6 in the period. But Lanky is keeping them in it.
Until the final 5 seconds of the period after the Nucks PK had killed off a critical penalty. 5 freaking seconds to go and with several bodies in front of Lanky a shot gets through and the HNIC broadcast team scream like they just won the world cup of shouting.
The beatify of being a foreigner watching hockey (since 1993) is I can openly be an iconoclast & see that the emperor has no clothes. These two suck John Shorthouse is the best caller of the game of hockey, end of. #Canucks #Leafs
— Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷 (@paullecomtephoto.nz) February 8, 2025 at 5:48 PM
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1-1 game after 40 minutes. Dang!
3RD
In the 3rd we might expect the Nucks to protect the tie, but instead they're pushing. Pushing to exceed the tie? Seemed like.
Near mid period the Nucks get their 2nd PP. And the last one they'll need. As OG Fillip gets the puck to new Fillip who passes to Brock who sweeps a wrister past Wollie who was screened by Myers. His own Myers, not ours.
WOOOOO BROCKSTAR!
Twitch
Nucks lead 2-1 with only too many nail biting minutes left. But they don't sag and we weren't worried. Not until the last few minutes when this happened..
Refs call a phantom penalty as marner dives.
Twitch
No worries. Despite the extra pressure, Lanky steals the game away from Austin and his high scoring ways.
Kevin Lankinen is a bad, bad man. #Canucks
— Lachlan Irvine (@lachinthecrease.com) February 8, 2025 at 6:36 PM
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With the Laffing net empty, M-Petey was having fun going for the EN goal... almost on the goal line.
Nucks win 2-1 over the CoTU in the ROG! And defy, nay desecrate HNIC talking points, so they just cut away to the Sens game. Losers.
Doesn't matter. Game thread is going hysterical.
Big win.
Westy
The season sweep of Torahna is complete.
This is what, 18 home wins over the Leafs in the last 20 games?
Thursday
Love seeing that!
OBSERVATIONS
Great game. For the team and EP40 especially. Is he regaining form? We'll see.
Some chatter on the skies of blue...
Hronek has really stepped up in Hughes' absence. That trade for a 1st is looking better all the time! #Canucks
— Erin Butler (@eleighbutler.bsky.social) February 8, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Wow. At this rate, when Quinn Hughes comes back he'll be a healthy scratch. #Canucks
— Steve Burgess (@steveburgess53.bsky.social) February 8, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Is there any win more satisfying than one against the leafs? Well, yeah against the flames I guess, but is there any more satisfying than a win against the leafs on Hockey Night in Toronto? #canucks
— twitchy67.bsky.social (@twitchy67.bsky.social) February 8, 2025 at 6:38 PM
While we're Quinning again, without Quinn... turns out we could be without Quinn a while longer...
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha 8 consecutive #Canucks home WINS over #Leafs ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
— Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷 (@paullecomtephoto.nz) February 8, 2025 at 6:39 PM
#NHL GameScore Impact Card for Vancouver Canucks on 2025-02-08 #Canucks
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards.com) February 8, 2025 at 6:42 PM
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And... Saturday games are the best.
I edited “hockeyelfie”’s schedule for the #Canucks so that they can hang it on their dressing room wall and be more likely to win every game. Every day is now Saturday.
— Lucas 🎺 (@thelucastds.bsky.social) February 8, 2025 at 6:43 PM
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Anything else? Yes!
Thanks to the aliens who kidnapped the Alien, and returned him. Permanently or ?
Video Replay
It's HNIC - even tho the Nucks won, tough to tell by the CoTU commentary.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| PERIOD | VAN | TOR |
| 1st | 11 | 6 |
| 2nd | 6 | 14 |
| 3rd | 8 | 8 |
| TOTAL | 25 | 28 |
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Fillip gets a goal, assist and a presser.
Lanky was prepared - for the game and the presser.
OG Petey has something good to talk about.
Taco Talks about the win... and Demmers and not his knee!
Nucks finish with a 3 game win streak before the 4 Stations break. We so needed that. As did the Canucks.
We all get a break from the Nucks Drama School. We'll try to get pumped up for a mean nothing league rah-rah-rah advertising series. Or not. Enjoy the break everyone!
THATCHER IS UNDEFEATED AGAINST SJ - BUT NOT TOFFEE
After hosing down the Avs previous game, we were kinda expecting hoping the 10-1 Nucks would show up in the tank, get hatties in each period, EP40 scoring at least twice on the power plays. And new kids would score at least 1 or 2 a period and we'd watch the Nucks swagger into the final wildcard spot.
What we witnessed instead was a low scoring scruffy game that could have gone either way but for Demmers saving the Nucks and the game. And new guy, Drew with the GWG on a penalty shot in OT.
Not misreading. Nucks WIN a game in OT!
1ST
Nucks were pretty feisty to start. Outshooting the worst team in the NHL 6-3 in the 1st 10 minutes. Outshooting but not outscoring. Demmers made the most spectacular save after Forbort hit a gravity well inside the Sharks blueline and a speedy Sharkie had a breakaway on Demko - who stopped the 1st, 2nd and 3rd attempt before the Nucks skaters did something something.
In the end the Sharks outshot the Nucks 7-6 in the 1st.
Not the most stellar 1st period for the #Canucks -22 shot attempts and 6 shots on goal - 3 of those shots was from Elias Pettersson (EP25) Yep the other one😅 - Most shots and attempts from low danger areas - Canucks blocked 1 shot while the Sharks blocked 10 #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
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2ND
Ok, sure it wasn't the sparkling outburst of Nucking scoring that we hoped for. Will the Nucks get a goal in the next 20 minutes?
No, they won't. But get the 3rd futile PP of the scruffy game. In the last 30 seconds of the period. That was exciting. In a false hope sort of way.
Still a 0-0 game after 40 minutes. Let's move on.
3RD
In the 3rd while the Nucks are protecting the tie, the Sharks are attacking. Not a really dangerous Shark attack.
And then the Nucks get another PP. And as ever looks futile without Huggie. However, in the last 5 seconds, it's a DAK attack with a tip from a Suter shot.
LOL! THAT'S what beats Vanacek?
Thursday
I'll take it! Way to go, Joshua!
Wooo! Nucks lead 1-0 with only 12 nail biting minutes to go against the worst team in the league.
With the new kids Nucks, you might expect the Nucks to keep the pressure up and pot another 2 and get Demmmers another shutting out.
Instead, the Nucks revert to their patent-pending sit back passive style. How passive? Sharks outshot the Nucks 8-0 in the last 5 minutes.
Part of the reason is Chytil gets a penalty and the Nucks PK must get back to work. And work well at killing it off.
However, in the last 2 minutes, Shark net is empty and Sharks are pressing. Then a bad thing happened. New guy Chytil makes his 1st egregious Soupie Oopsie. Accidently passes the puck out front and Toffee, the former and still current Nuck killer, whacks at the puck and finally gets it past Demko.
Nucking initiation completed.
Now you are a Canuck, Chytil. 🥴 #canucks
— Michael Paweska (@mpaweska.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 10:07 PM
You're not a true #canucks fan if you didn't know Toffoli was going to score a big goal in this game.
— VanCity Sports (@vancitysports.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
1-1 after 3. and we're going to the scary place.
OT
Surprisingly, Taco doesn't put Gnarly out for the 1st shift - maybe 'cause he was hurt earlier in the game.
Instead, it's 2 new guys, Chytil and O'connor, and Ronnie.
There's some back and forth as is the way of OT. But Chytil is out for redemption. Sets up O'connor who gets interfered/hooked just before he can shoot.
It's a Penalty Shot! In OT!
Drew pulls left and pulls a Miller and scores! It's the GWG! On a penalty shot! In OT!
Drew drew it!
Thursday
Nucks scrape out a win over the worst team in the league. Sure, it took extra time, but a Nucks win in OT is rare enough. Winning in OT on a penalty shot, hasn't happened in Nucks lore since Hutton in 2016.
WOOOOOOOOO!
OBSERVATIONS
Some people enjoyed watching this game. I wasn't one of them. Definitely the worst game the Nucks have played since the trade(s).
Despite getting the 2 points and securing (for now) the last wildcard spot, NucksNation had their eye on Pete, $11.6M edition. In 19:33 of ice time, Petey managed 0 shots, 0 goals, 0 hits, 0 blocks. Where has Petey's game gone? We don't know.
Some chatter on the skies of blue...
Frankly the #Canucks do not even deserve to win. They should be demolishing them with all the power plays of course that would require EP40 to maybe SHOOT THE EFFING PUCK once in a while.
— Grant (@pyeinburnaby.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 10:16 PM
As a fan of the Vancouver #Canucks I am comfortable with taking the risk of trading EP40 🤷🏻♂️ I realize other fans will think I’m bonkers, but if we’re in a win now/as soon as possible mode, this guy ain’t it.
— Luc (@lcfrst.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
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OK, I'm convinced the #canucks have to move Petey before July 1st. For whatever reason he won't shoot, lacks confidence, is well below 50% career in the dot and simply doesn't seem capable of regaining his elite form, which has been MIA through the 2024 playoffs and well over half of 2025.
— James Wanless (@wanless.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 10:17 PM
While we're Quinning again, without Quinn... turns out we could be without Quinn a while longer...
In other news, can confirm that it's an oblique injury ailing #Canucks captain Quinn Hughes.
— David Quadrelli (@quadrelli.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Anything else? Yes!
Not asking for much... but to the aliens who kidnapped the Alien, please return him ASAP.
Video Replay
Shortie and Dave found their way to the tank to cover a scrappy game.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| PERIOD | VAN | COL |
| 1st | 6 | 7 |
| 2nd | 13 | 9 |
| 3rd | 3 | 16 |
| OT | 2 | 2 |
| TOTAL | 24 | 34 |
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Drew gets the GWG in OT and his 1st Nucks presser.
Suter speaks about the 2 points.
Taco Talks about the speed of Drew and grinding out a win.
Nucks get a must-win game won. The hard way. Not the blowout we wanted, but the 2 points we needed.
Nucks get one more game on HNIC on Saturday before the 4 Seasons break. Hopefully another Saturday Nucks game where they outplay the opponents - on ice and on the panel.
FINALLY - THE ROG IS A HAPPY PLACE FOR THATCHER - AND US!
Earlier in the day we found out that Huggie wouldn't be playing. Again. If you saw Westy's preview you might think he was worried. And so were we.
However, the Nucks coaches coached the Unhugged team - I know, it's their job - coached the team with video sessions and high tech methods like always having layers of 2 or 3 bodies that big Mac would have to go through.
All the great coaching in the rink is only as good as the team's execution. Which was excellent. When Demko gets his 1st shutout of the season, it's a very good game. Other than the Nucks 5-on-2 PP needs some more work.
1ST
At first they Nucks were getting pretty much Mac 'n Mak sandwiched and getting out shot-attempted 24 to 8. Which doesn't sound like a big diff by Nucking standards, but was scary to watch.
However, Demmers did not allow any goals, only 4 posts.
Posts getting the first star from the first period.
Thursday
Nucks lead 0-0. Not much of a lead, but it's almost all the lead they'll need going into the 2nd.
2ND
Not to put too big a spoiler on the plot line, but the Nucks win the game in this period.
Barely 4 minutes in and Ronnie goes hard-ass in his own end, wipes out opposing player - skates into the big snow that falls off mountains zone and puts a feisty shot on one of the Woods who plays goal for the Avs. Wedgewood, Wellwood, Redwood? Doesn't matter, because he didn't become the 1st start of the game.
Neither did DeBrusk. But after deftly knocking the puck to ice after the rebound from one of the wood goalies, Jake snapped the puck past the wood of the one of the wood goalies.
HEY HEY! LOUIE LOUIE!
Thursday
That's the GWG. Nucks win 1-0 after a mere 24 minutes of hockey.
Thanks for reading. It's ok to breathe normally again. Because the stats are on our side. Nucks are 10-1-5 when Jake scores.
Ok, fine. Keep reading... but now we're into the breathless phase of the period as Demko stops a bazzilion high danger shots from the sharp shooters of Colo.
DEMKO FIRST THREE STARS!
Thursday
That's it, folks! Nucks lead the Avs 1-0 after 2 and have already won the game, as hinted at earlier.
3RD
In the 3rd the Avs big, big dollar stars that generally earn their big keep, were frustrated and it was up to Wood, not a goalie, to inflict some pain on the Nucks by taking a few or several penalties.
I know, you're thinking... Nucks got a power play? Not just one. But 6. From the same refs that were working for the Wings last game. Talk about late makeup calls.
Anyhow Wood, the goon, not the goalie, got 23 minutes of penalties on just 8:39 of ice time. Fortunately we didn't have to wait around the rink watching him sit in the box past closing time. They added a substitute and a game misconduct and other official stuff.
On the 1st penalty a miracle happened. Not just a Nucking PP goal. But a goal from Mr. Snakebit Puckbobbler his self, Brockstar! Great up ice setup from Ronnie with a long Huggie pass to Jake who setup Brock.
OMG! OMG! BESSIE!
jimmi
Nucks lead 2-0 in the 3rd.
And then on the next PP, Pete draws a call off Mak. EP40 Pete. Nucks get 2 minutes of 5-on-3. But then one of the few remaining Avs defenders breaks his stick. Nucks have the very rare 5-on-2 PP. They're so gonna score. Just have to decide who gets it. Pete? Ronnie?
Except Brock has a double-clutch moment and Avs send the puck down the ice and Nucks have a minute-fifty to fritter away on the remaining 5-on-3. So much frittering. Looking for the perfect pass and shot. And in the end, when Brock got the only shot on goal in the 5-on-3, it was a weak sauce muffin.
Guess the great coaching moments of Taco and company at the practice never envisioned the Nucks ever getting a 5-on-3 ever again this season.
Doesn't matter.
What matters is the Avs, even with their megastar MacTraitor, a former BC boy who could have demanded to be traded to the Nucks, but didn't. Anyhow even the potent Mac 'n Mak attack with one of the Wood goalies pulled could not put a puck past Demmers.
But one of the new kids could put a puck past the undefended Avs goal line.
New guy, new goal!
Thursday
Nucks beat the Avs 3-0 in the ROG! Wooooooooooo!
Just finished watching, what a win!
Atty
With this deluge of new players, it feels like a brand new team
Who needs Quinn Hughes?
Or Pettersson, for that matter.. We have 3 of them, so at least one of them will always have a good game. I don't care which one.
OBSERVATIONS
No Huggie. No problem. No, really.
And love the Miller trade even more.
Atty
We sent off an old star who is over-priced, on the wrong slope of his career and looses his shit every other game, and got a solid young and fast group in return (including the Pitts trade as well).
What not like about it? They can even win without our captain now.
Taco and Gonnchie came up with a plan to stifle the Avarice. New Nucks with their additional D-Peteys kept the league leading point getter and the Avs high, high octane offense off the board.
The Real Demmers of San Diego is back, baby!
🚨Thatcher Demko is the First ⭐️ of the Game🚨 This is indeed a huge confidence boost for Thatcher Demko. Absolutely amazing performance by him tonight. — GA: 0 — SA: 25 — SV: 25 — SV%: 1.000 — 9th career Shutout #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 10:09 PM
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Pettersson played a great game. Pettersson was steady. Pettersson was invisible.
🚨D-Petey (EP25) is the ⭐️⭐️⭐️ of the Game🚨 He's an absolute wracking ball and a super exciting player to watch. Super responsible defensively and does not let himself get intimidated by veteran players. Incredible. #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 10:26 PM
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We're Quinning again! Even without Quinn!
😅😂 #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 10:57 PM
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So many stars! All ours!
Vancouver/Colorado Canuck Stars 1. Hronek. 2 points 24 minutes played like a top 4 defenceman 2. Debrusk. Impactful 2 points. 3. Demko. Thatcher’s snatcher captured a shutout. Game Note: there was a rare competition for the third star #Canucks
— JDavid (@jdavidh.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Although... not everyone is pleased with Pettersson.
EP40 with a gutsy heart and soul 0g 0a 1 shot 1 hit outing to drag his team into the fight tonight! What a leader! So glad that big meanie JT Miller was traded so Petey could flourish here! #Canucks #ElevenSix
— BoestMode (@boestmode.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Anything else? Yes!
Not asking for much... but 5-on-3 practice with the Twins would be nice.
Video Replay
Shortie and Ray calling an exciting game - now with 6 Nucking Power Plays!
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| PERIOD | VAN | COL |
| 1st | 8 | 10 |
| 2nd | 15 | 11 |
| 3rd | 8 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 31 | 25 |
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
DeBrusk gets the GWG and GWP.
M-Petey gets his 1st presser after pressing on Big Mac all night.
Brock gets a goal and a happier presser.
Demko is back. Vintage Demko.
Taco Talks about executing the De-Mac/De-Mak plan. And complimenting fearless D-Petey.
This was the game to define the NKN. New Kids Nucks. Working title.
Nucks get a must-win game won. Tied with the Cowpokes for that 2nd wildcard... and not far behind the team with the 1st wildcard. Exciting couple, very meaningful, games ahead. Thursday, Nucks find their way to San Jose. Need to play hard and fast and grab those very meaningful 2 points. We're back in the race!
NO QUINN, NO WIN. NO REFS, NO NUCKING PP.
1st the bad news. Huggie is on tour with BC Faeries. And we missed him.
2nd bad news. 1st game for un-Millerfied EP40 and we're still missing the Alien.
3rd bad news. Since Garland mentally and physically damaged McAnointed and the NHL didn't cancel the Canucks franchise, refs have been instructed to never give the Nucks another PP this season. Possibly beyond.
Politoco news. ROG crowd booed the American anthem. Although to be fair, it was polite booing. However, we already know which team in the 4 Nations series will be getting more boos in Montreal.
Some good news. The New Kids are alright.
Petey-M or is it M-Petey? Anyhow, the Marcus of Pettersson played a solid game - we won that trade.
Chytil looked quite good. Good wheels, gets a goal and has a Mifler in OT. Fair trade.
O'Connor played well with Suter and Sherwood. He's got some speed and drive.
1ST
New kids got the Nucks on the board 1st. O'Connor speed and drive causes chaos in the Wing zone. Results in D-Petey getting his 1st point as a Canuck and Suter tipping EP25's shot for his 14th of the season.
The ROG elation lasted almost a full two minutes, as the Nucks give up a 3-on-2 and Derinkrat scores while Myers is interfered with trying to cover Detrinket. No call. Goal stands.
Get used to No Nucking Calls, because refs are busy getting txts from Toronto and Edmonton.
And then late in the period, for some odd reason, the otherwise occupied refs called the 1st and only penalty of the game.
Everytime I start thinking I like Forbort as a serviceable defenceman, he ends up in the box.
Twitch
Nucks lead tied 1-1. In the 1st. In the ROG!
2ND
Nucks finish killing the one and only penalty of the game. So... Yay!
However, the Nucks get hemmed in their own end. Can't clear. Not even new guy, O'Connor can clear. And then, as ever, bunch of players clog the front of the net and Lanky can't see the screened shot from the point and Nucks are down a goal. And the game thread has an anthem moment
Booo.
Twitch
Nucks pushback, get some good chances but can't put another one in the net. Yet.
Nucks get a great chance to tie on a 3-on-1. Brock has Pete and Debrusk to pass to. Instead shoots it over the net.
I feel like they should put Chytil with Petey. Brock doesn't do shit for him...
Twitch
Annnd it's like he saw me typing that and pulls a full on soupsie juuler on a 3 on 1.
The classic option when you have a 3-on-1 is to pass and pass - make the goalie move and then score. Brock's not a fan of the classics. Also seems that Brock is really missing JT. Looked unengaged, playing to earn a pay check, a trade, but not an extension.
Nucks trail 2-1 after 2.
Chytil looking like quinn hughes out there, dekeing whole teams and shit. Doesn't seem to have the finish though.
Twitch
Yet.
3RD
Nucks need to own this period. Push the tired flappy wings hard. And do.
Maybe not the best players at the best moment tho.
"Forbort tried a one-timer."
Thursday
Something I kinda never want to hear, you know? I mean, glad for you bud, but pretty sure there's someone else on the ice who can do that for you.
Meanwhile on the what-used-to-be-a-penalty game within the game watch...
Go ahead red wings. Run the goalie, it's ok.
Twitch
We'll find out later, but expect it was determined by NHL Officiating on High, that the refs are only there to call icings - which is the Linesman's job, but more eyes make those difficult calls more simple.
Finally as the mid-period rolls into the ROG, the new kids have to compensate for the refs and score the hard way, 5-on-5. Gnarly comes into the Wing-zone, gets fouled, but whatever. Wingdingies clear the puck, to Chytil, who skates around and outwaits the goalie and scores a beautie!
WOOOOO NEWGUY1!!!!
Twitch
Nucks keep pressing and the wings keep fouling and the refs keep a keen eye out for an errant icing.
Which means, we're going to OT so the Nucks can collect another loooooser point.
OT
No Huggie in OT. That's not good. And worse... Taco blew his chance for Tin Cup immortality.
It's 3 on 3 Tocchet, no excuse to not start with... Pettersson Pettersson Pettersson #canucks
— Dave Korzinski (@davekorzi.bsky.social) February 2, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Taco doesn't choose the obvious option. Instead gives Gnarly 3 OT shifts and EP40 gets one shift. Doesn't go well. Despite the Nucks outshooting the Wings all game, Nucks get 1 shot, Wings get 3 and the game winner.
Elias Pettersson (EP40) went Ilya Mikhayev style on this shot in OT that could have ended the game with a win. 🥴 Yikes 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #LGRW #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) February 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
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Nucks lose the game 3-2, but win a point to almost keep in sight of the 2nd wildcard spot.
OBSERVATIONS
Without Huggie to be the difference maker, we might have hoped EP40 would outshine the other Petterssons in the game. But for the first 40, he was looking to earn his Louie Pettersson defensive forward money.
Haha. Did EP 25 really lead the team on the stat card ahead of EP40? Or is this an error? #Canucks
— DJTaxman77 (@hugheshart43.bsky.social) February 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
EP played solid in the 3rd but no excuses. He was nowhere to be seen in the first two periods. #Canucks
— fuzzysnack (@fuzzysnack.bsky.social) February 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
EXTRA TIME
Batch mentioned that Nucks have gone to overtime in 28.8% of their games this year. Have won 3 and lost 11 in OT. Ouch! If they had won a few more in reg or OT, they wouldn't be looking at the dismal side of the last wildcard.
Oh well... we didn't enjoy the Nucks winning the division last year that much. Watching them scramble for wildcard scraps is just as much fun. Or not.
BEER LEAGUE OFFICIATING
Important to mention the unbiased and totally fair refs. So nice when a visiting team brings their own.
They don’t call them the Ref Wings for nothing. #canucks
— Josh (@slads.bsky.social) February 2, 2025 at 7:44 PM
That was a rigged game. #canucks got zero PPs when there were clear offences by Detroit. And that first Red Wings goal should not have happened because Myers got interfered with. What a joke of a league when you have refs like that.
— Chris Choi (@chrisbc.bsky.social) February 2, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Chytil looked very good all game. Fast, engaged and scored. Yay!
Filip Chytil tonight in his #Canucks debut: — G: 1 — PTS: 1 — SOG: 3 — TOI: 20:03 — 2nd Star of the Game - ⭐️⭐️ He really demanded the puck and very strong on it. Looking forward to watch him as the remaining of the season progresses. #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) February 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
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O'Connor could develop some chemistry with Sherwood. Sherwood was back and making hits - in 15:28, he set a Nucks team record with an NHL-high 281 hits this season. So far.
Mainly positive for the new kids.
I see some potential here, so many new players.
Atty
Not a terrible outcome, but should have been better. We were the better team in the 3rd. Much better.
Anything else? Yes!
Onto the real test for the new Nucks coming next week.
Video Replay
It's Shortie and Ray winging it without Quinn.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| PERIOD | VAN | DET |
| 1st | 10 | 6 |
| 2nd | 9 | 7 |
| 3rd | 7 | 2 |
| OT | 1 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 25 | 33 |
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Sherwood hitting all the big points.
Filip Chytil gets his 1st Nucks goal and presser.
EP talks about getting his 1st Nucks point.
Taco Talks about the New Kids playing fast and EP40's line not burying their chances. Also evades the question about the Boo-Anthem moment. He knows which side of the rink butters his ESPN bread.
Good game that ends poorly. Outplayed the Wings most of the game. Except the key parts. And couldn't outplay the refs.
Nucks get one more ROG game on Tuesday against another team that's struggling to make the playoffs. [Checks stats] Avs not struggling too much to hang on to 4th in the Central. Will the New Nucks struggle to win that game? Will the Nucks ever get another PP? We don't know yet.
THE SHOE DROPPED - NOISE DIDN'T - JT TO NY
The Nucking Drama Club reached the 3rd act - pregame. JR (and Eleeeeeott) warned us. JT was traded to the Rags. In exchange, JR warned us, got pennies on the dollar. Altho... Taco will be happy to see Branny go to the big apple.
Congrats to the Nucks management on making the team worse. At least in the short term. Who am I kidding, we could be back to the Benning days of meh. Let's hope not.
Disappointed that these 'alleged' professionals couldn't work out their toddler playground drama. Shocked, but not shocked, this management group that saw this coming and doubled down on JT and Pete and now, not even 2 years in, it's a change of plans.
Maybe this will all work out. Maybe JT has peaked. At least as a Canuck. What about Pete? Has he peaked or will he resume his Alien powers. But here or in Buffalo?
More drama to follow in Act IV - CANUCKS TRAGICOMEDY.
When you blow up the core, how far do you go? Hold onto your barf bags, gonna need 'em.
BUT FIRST!
Trader JR/PA aren't finished. Just traded for another Pettersson! Marcus edition.
Full details:
Canucks acquire
Drew O'Connor
Marcus Pettersson
Penguins acquire
Danton Heinen
Vincent Desharnais
Melvin Fernstrom
1st Round Draft Pick (via NYR, acquired today by VAN)
Some will be happy to see Desh play in the Peguin pen.
Meanwhile... there's this pathetic loss in Texas to cover.
1ST
Stars get the early lead. Because... why not?
Soup chases up the boards to not get his man or the puck. Ronnie gets knocked off the puck behind his net and puck comes out front to hypnotize a few Nucks and it's behind Demmers.
Soucy can't clear. Hronek can't clear. Stars score.
Twitch
It's a 1-0 Stars after 1. Who cares.
2ND
Early in the 2nd, the De-Millered Nucks get on the board.
Hoagie breaks up a pass in his zone and scoots up ice with Gnarly. Passes to Gnarland and he scores.
Wooo Gnarly! From Hoggy! And it took me 5 minutes to type that cuz DT was talking about hoggy scoring, and then I was confused... but actually it was DT that was confused. That's so canucks...
Twitch
That's the not the GWG. Because Nucks get another 2 power plays and the league's 2nd best PK dinna care.
Worse, Stars get their own PP and do score.
Sigh... bad penalty by forbert, dallas goal.
Twitch
Dallas PP Stars up 2-1 after 2.
3RD
However... it can always get worse... it's the Canucks Way.
Nucks are busy attacking in the Stars zone. But Roopea gets the puck from a pass from his zone while zooming thru center ice - breaks in and scores a goal that actual Demmers would likely have stopped.
Nucks down 3-1 late in the 3rd.
And worse... Huggie is hurt. Goes to the room. Does come back to the bench, but could be an 'upper/lower body' injury - he grimaces when skating. Hopefully just a pulled heartstring and is ready by Sunday.
Hughes hurt? Giraffe in the box. Down 2 goals. Super duper. #Canucks
— Chad Forrest (@cforrest.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
But Nucks get a break. Sort of. Get a power play with 4mins to go. And Taco pulls Demmers. It's a 6-on-4 Nucking PP. What could go wrong?
Well... Pete doesn't win the FO. Worse, there's no player backing up Pete. No Canucks player. There is a Dallas player behind Pete tho. Roopea gets the puck and scores the 1st Stars EN. A Shortie. Ouch!
However... all is not lost... as the Nucks PP on their 5th attempt score! It's DeBrusk breaking his slump!
Power play goal DeBrusk. Whoopdeeshit.
Twitch
4-2 Stars and then... because 6-on-4 worked so well... Taco goes 6-on-5 and Stars get a gratuitous EN.
Lol listen to dallas lay on that goal horn for a completely irrelevant empty net goal...
Twitch
5-2 Stars with a minute to go.
But the Nucks aren't finished scoring. A lot can happen in the last seconds when you're down 3 goals.
LOL OMG SO FUCKING CANUCKS! Soupy scores with like a second left.
Twitch
Nucks only lose 5-3 in Texas. That's not so bad. Just doesn't feel very good.
OBSERVATIONS
Demmers isn't really back, baby.
I hate to say it, but I feel like we might be winning this game if Lankinen was in net. Demko WILL get back to Vezina finalist Demko... but he's just plain not there yet.
Twitch
MEANWHILE... back to the regular unregularly scheduled Nucking chaos.
There have been maybe 5 times in my 50 years as a #Canucks fan that I felt we could win a Cup. Last year and yes this year were 2 of those years. And 82 and 94 were not 2 of those years. That is why I am so pissed with this deal. This could fuck things up for 10 years. If we regress Quinn will leave
— DJTaxman77 (@hugheshart43.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I will say one thing about the Miller trade. Connor McDavid and the #Oilers are happy he’s no longer a #Canucks
— Ralph In The Ridge🇨🇦 (@ralphintheridge.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Pittsburgh has traded Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor to Vancouver for Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, Melvin Fernstrom and NYR’s conditional 2025 1st round pick. #Canucks #LetsGoPens
— NHL Trade Alert (@nhltradealert.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 8:56 PM
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Did we just flip that first rounder for Marcus Pettersson?! Wow. I don't know how to feel about this because all I can think of his how the #Canucks are monopolizing Petterssons
— Matt Foulger (@mattfoulger.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 8:47 PM
JT Miller record with the #Canucks is remarkable. - GP:404 | G:152 | A:285 | P:437 - Last Season: Finished 11th in MVP and 15th in Selke voting A massive loss for this #Canucks team. #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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Brock is missing JT already. The Lotto Line has left the rink.
🚨 Brock Boeser on his instagram tonight ❤️ #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 8:42 PM
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We'll miss you too, JT. 2nd only to Bure in points per game as a Canuck.
Read into this or not, but Mason seems to have an in with the #Canucks since the before times. Heck, there’s a reason Rutherford sat down with him over others… 👀
— Chris Golden (@lyteforce.ca) January 31, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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JR/PA Management style.
Updated look at assets the #Canucks have moved ONLY VIA TRADE since Allvin and co. took over
— Josh Elliott-Wolfe (@joshelliottwolfe.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 6:19 PM
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Anything else? Yes!
Please no more trades tonight...
Video Replay
Back to messin' wit Texass, it's Shortie and Dave wondering, as ever, about unbiased NHL officiating.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| PERIOD | VAN | DAL |
| 1st | 9 | 7 |
| 2nd | 11 | 3 |
| 3rd | 9 | 6 |
| TOTAL | 29 | 16 |
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Well... this awkward... Pete gives up little about how the pressure is really on him now.
Myers feeling weird - only taller.
Taco Talks about losing a 'heart and soul' player.
Whoosh! That was some 3rd Act. And a few periods of hockey.
There's so much for the armchair GMs to analyze. And so much weekend binge drinking for NM to catch up on before the next game on Sunday in ROG.
When an expected shocker trade happens, it's still shocking... how are we coping?
Confused? Here's the latest Nucking roster projection... but the weekend is just starting.
Curious to see how long until Tocchet shuffles the line ups. #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 10:30 PM
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ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT IN SMASHVILLE - ANOTHER WIN!
It worked again! Extended Saturday hockey hours is the secret to Nucking success. And JR's Buffalo-bound threats.
3rd consecutive win! That's a THREE GAME WIN STREAK for those trying again to keep up at home using only a single digit.
The last 3 game regulation W-streak was in early November during the SoCal streak.
Not saying the JR motivational talk motivated the Nucks to start on time - but they did, even at dinner time.
1ST
And start they did. Led the Preds 8-2 on shots early.
And even more vital on the road, Nucks get the 1st goal. Off a pretty play setup from Pete and Huggie...
Pretty passing, pretty goal from Hoagy!!
Atty
Nucks lead 1-0. For a little while. As a Nucks scoring play goes the other way after a silly Saros save. As per usual Nucking luck, Soup loses the puck at the home blueline - Preds get a 2-on-1. Demmers stops the 1st shot, not the rebound.
Tie game.
I like the way we are playing.
Atty
Not so much the score. But that should follow.
It's a 1-1 tie after 1.
2ND
Early in the 2nd, while some might be content to take the tie to the end, Huggie isn't one of them.
Barely a minute in and Nucks are in the Pred-zone... All the preds are up high. Watching Quinn? Then they watch Quinn pass the puck to Myers. All the Preds are now watching Myers. The stealth giraffe has time and space to put a shot towards the net. Linus is on the goal mouth and redirects the puck past Saros!
KARLSSON! Congratulations on your first NHL goal, buddy!
Thursday
That's the GWG. Again the Nucks win the game while playing a little over 20 minutes of hockey.
O'Really, Stamkos and Sissons are beating every Nucks center on near every FO and outshooting Nucks 8-3 through the period.
However, the Nucks have locked it down. What to do in Tennessee? Call the Homer Ref line and ask for help.
Soucy eats a stick, no call, soucy to the room. Net positive?
Twitch
Soup and his bleeding face are invisible to the refs. Maybe they'll make some makeup calls. Some time. Just not in this game. Instead...
Well...so much for the make up penalty idea... joshua to the box for hooking. Dunno what I was thinking, expecting NHL refs to do whats expected of NHL refs.
Twitch
Somehow, Gnarly gets Stamkos stick in his mouth, which must be caused by Gnarland's lack of altitude. Refs are certain it's not a penalty, even after Gnarly's and Taco's shock and outrage.
Score so far: Preds high sticks - 2, refs being competent - 0
Twitch
Doesn't matter. Nucks lead, almost safest lead in hockey, up 2-1 after 2.
3RD
However... the sky could be falling...
#Canucks is struggling since the 2nd period.3rd period is not looking great. - #Preds are pressing hard while the #Canucks is failing to sustain any O zone presence - #Preds are outshooting the #Canucks 31-10 with 3:40 left - The faceoff struggle continues Hold on to your butts
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 8:25 PM
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And yet, Nucks are keeping the surprisingly stout 1 goal lead through the early period.
Refs have to get back to work. Suter (one of the Nucks best penalty killers) is called for tripping. Nucks PK dinna care. Kill the penalty.
Refs need to change it up. Make a rare call on the Preds. Catches the Nucks off guard. And 2 minutes passes without the Preds tying the game with a shortie.
As the Nucks are resorting to their famously successful hang around their own zone until bad things happen, Preds + Refs go for the full smash 'n stick strategy.
Ronnie gets speared in the ribs. No call. Forbort gets high sticked. No call. Are the Zebras getting paid by the Predators?
WTF... Hronek speared, no call, Forbert high sticked, no call, and suter gets a penalty for....sissons falling over his feet? Canucks need to lodge a formal complaint about this.
Twitch
And then Nucks get caught on an inexplicably bad line change.
Wow...that was the stupidest too many men ever... like not even jump onto the ice and someone else doesn't see it and plays it before the other guys on the bench... just 6 skaters floating around the defensive zone, having a tea or something. Brutal.
Twitch
The ever sharp-eyed refs, don't miss it - Nucks are back on the PK. Against one of the hottest power plays in the league at the moment. That again went ice cold at the hands of the Nucks disruptive and quite annoying PK.
As the minutes ticked off and our game thread nerves frayed down to molecular goo, Preds emptied their net. Great! More pressure. However, with Demmers and company, the stout 1 Nucking goal lead withstands the pressure.
Even better, Forsberg is sent to the box, for severely interfering with Demmers.
Forsberg tackles Demko, gets called, shakes his head in disbelief. "I paid good money for these refs, goddammit!"
Twitch
Guess he found the credit limit of the refs.
Even better, while on the PP with the Nucks absorbing the insane 5-on-5 pressure in their own zone, Suter the shooter scores the EN. 2nd goal in as many games!
Nucks WIN 3RD CONSECUTIVE GAME! WOOOOO!!!
#Canucks
— CrankyCanucksFan (@crankycanucksfan.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 8:34 PM
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Lost in the excitement of a 3 game win streak: Demko almost looked like Demko tonight!
Twitch
OBSERVATIONS
Good team effort. Start to finish - other than the wobbly bits. This team looked last last season's game's team. Yay!
Demmers is back, baby!
Demko had a great performance and was present during some defensive breakdowns. Hopefully this will be a turning point to bring his confidence back up. — GA: 1 — SA: 32 — SV: 31 — SV%: 96 #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 9:06 PM
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While JR's motivational speech to NucksNation seemed to have an effect on Pete - his Tre Kronor line scored both Nucks 5-on-5 goals - seemed not to push JT into beast mode. He and his linemates were close to the bottom of the stat charts.
#NHL GameScore Impact Card for Vancouver Canucks on 2025-01-29 #Canucks
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards.com) January 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM
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We're Quinning again!
🚨Quinn Hughes is the ⭐️⭐️ of the game🚨 — Assists: 2 — PTS: 2 — SOG: 2 — TOI: 24:36 — 101 Multi-Point career game The captain always brings it babe. #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM
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Just another record setting season for Huggie. The 1st D to produce 20 multi-point games in 50 games since Paul Coffey (Oilers) & Larry Robinson (Canadiens) in 1985-86.
Are they back in the hunt? Yes they are!
#Canucks Tuesday game against the Avs could be a doozy
— Simon Little (@simonplittle.ca) January 29, 2025 at 9:11 PM
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Anything else? Yes!
A nice intermission from the main stage drama.
Video Replay
Back at home on the road, it's Shortie and Dave wondering about unbiased NHL officiating.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| PERIOD | VAN | NSH |
| 1st | 13 | 13 |
| 2nd | 3 | 8 |
| 3rd | 6 | 11 |
| TOTAL | 22 | 32 |
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Demmers back on the winning side, of the game and the presser.
Hoagie feeling pretty good about a pretty good game.
Taco Talks about the grinding away, while still praising Myers.
Was this the pushback the Nucks needed after getting called out by JR. Maybe.
One last Saturday game to go in a couple days in winter-wonderful Texas. Sure be good to lower the media dramatics with a theatrical win over the Stars - if only our 'stars' could align to play like teammates.
GET THE LEAD. KEEP THE LEAD. HOCKEY IS SIMPLE.
It worked! Extended Saturday hockey hours is the secret to Nucking success.
It was a late (Saturday) afternoon game in ol' St Lou and Nucks played like it just another Saturday night in the ROG on HNIC. Even if some media big wheels called it Amazon Hockey Night Hockey or something strange on Monday.
2nd consecutive win! That's a TWO GAME WIN STREAK for those trying to keep up at home using only a single finger.
Also, good news! We didn't have to wait until 2030 for the 1st multi-game winning streak of 2025. Last 2 game regulation W-streak was in late November.
And the goals! So many Nucking goals!
1ST
Since it's still Saturday, Nucks are happy to start on time. Pushed the pace early. And often, pretty much. Limited the Blue team to just 4 shots in the period while putting a dozen on Mr. B.
The 1st Canucks goal scored by Gnarly, was setup by our Huggie. A stark reminder, as much we love the guy, to never play mini-golf against him for money. The defender goes face down early to block the 2-on-1 pass. But Mr. Mini-Golf slides the puck between the defender's skate toes and ankles. Gnarly gets the easy tap-in.
The next Nucks goal is again scored by Gnarland. On the PP! Not making it up. This was the PP we knew existed... in sci-fi dreams or something. Smart, snappy puck movement and Gnarly finish. Apples to Pete and Brock.
WOOOO Gnarly PP goal! Going for the 1st period hatty!
Twitch
Nucks lead 2-0. In the 1st. On the road!
That was a rare near perfect period in the offensive zone by the Canucks. Let's see two more like that!
Twitch
I know I know, but one can dream!
2ND
For reasons that only the Canucks of Saturday can make happen, our dreams can come true. On the PP! Again!
Blues are on the PK and enjoying a casual line change after clearing the puck all the way to Lanky. Who passes to Huggie who spots JT and snaps a laser pass to Millsie who breaks in on Mr. B and scores!
Wooo! Miller!
Twitch
That's the GWG and end-of-game for Mr. B. He's pulled in favour of a Hoofer. Doesn't help.
It's not all searing Blues and roses, however, as Myers takes a tripping call to the box and the Blues score while Soup plays the innocent witness. Doesn't matter.
What matter is that Hoagie is careless with his stick and cuts a lip. Nothing is called. Until the "Unpaid Officials", the home crowd crowed and crowed for a penalty.
Hoggy takes a 4. Fuuuu... the embellishment certainly helped....
Twitch
Again, not a good look for Hoagie. Doesn't matter. As Myers is playing the PK of Atonement. Breaks up the entry, makes a blind backhand pass to clear the puck and Suter clearly jumps on it. Zooms in on the Hoofer and scores a snipe top shelf.
WOOOOO SUTER SHORTY!!!
Twitch
Myers with an excellent play to set that up.
Suter breaks his goaless drought that goes back to the invention of hockey in pre-historic Scotland.
Nucks have stretched the lead back to the safest lead in hockey, up 4-1 after 2.
3RD
The Saturday Afternoon/Evening Nucks keep the worst lead in hockey for almost 4 minutes!
Pete had a couple chances to clear the puck out of his zone and doesn't. Blues pass the puck around and Parayko gets to teach EP25 a tough lesson. Don't stand to close too your goalie. Puck bounces off his skate and goes past Lanky. A rookie mistake... that even Huggie has made.
Eesh...ep25 just got harsh walked. I still like him though.
Twitch
Again, it doesn't matter, as we saw earlier, Millsie scored the game winner in a previous period. Doesn't matter to Myers, who wants more atoning.
WOOO Myers with the ENG!
Twitch
Canucks win another (Saturday) game 5-2! Wooo! Win a 4 pointer at that.
And the trade chatter ends now. Westy has spoken. Using the written word.
If they win, no one gets traded...ever!
Westy
OBSERVATIONS
Good team effort. Start to finish. This team looked last last season's team. Finally.
Huggie dominated the game. As is his want. Another 2 point game. 1st Canucks D to reach 100 multi-point games. Woo!!!
Lanky played another great game. Secured his 18th regular season win. A career record.
The Saturday Night Nucks have the players, the skill, the jam to play like a great hockey team. Maybe even Pete is getting 2/3 of the way to match his wages.
Whoa... Petey has 7 shots tonight. Gotta keep him, he's having his underperfoming season now, but he's still playing great. He'll get his goals. It would be myopic to trade him away. It's like Brock Boeser that year after he got injured... just a bad season but came back huge.
Twitch
Myers was great after his 3 game hiatus for smirk-wiping with his stick. Had 1 Goal, 1 Assist, +3, 5 Shots, 1 Takeaway and 2 Blocked Shots in 22:58 TOI.
Gnarly scored 2 goals after a 9 game drought. Yay!
Suter scored for the 1st time in... [looks at calendar, repeatedly] 24 games! Finally.
JT hadn't scored in 10 games and his PP GWG was a beauty. His fight with Schenn, not so much.
Bluesky were ready to plan the parade. Only if it's on a Saturday.
THE PARADE GOES SOUTH ON RENFREW, TAKE A LEFT ON BROADWAY, LET'S GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC AT EVERY LIGHT ON LOUGHEED, WE LOVE THIS MOMENT #CANUCKS
— Bruce Ng (@transcendwebs.bsky.social) January 27, 2025 at 7:17 PM
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Are they back?
Now that was a solid win. One of the best they’ve put together in a looooong time. Not just defence but great offensive instincts shown tonight. Promising game. #Canucks
— fuzzysnack (@fuzzysnack.bsky.social) January 27, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Gnarland getting the garlands in this game.
🚨CONOR GARLAND🚨 is your first ⭐️ of the game tonight. What a game for him. — 2 Goals — 2 Points — TOI: 20:15 — SOG: 6 #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) January 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
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Anything else? Yes!
Just another Saturday afternoon/evening in a different time zone.
Video Replay
It's Prime hockey night - with broadcasters with foreign accents.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| PERIOD | VAN | STL |
| 1st | 12 | 4 |
| 2nd | 11 | 15 |
| 3rd | 7 | 7 |
| TOTAL | 30 | 26 |
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Capt'n Huggie taking it to the net, the presser and smiling!
Lanky back in net and getting an assist.
Taco Talks about the good start, Gnarly's consistency and praising Myers.
Great statement game from the (it's still) Saturday Nucks. Not a game they could play on a Monday.
Believe it or not, Nucks play another Saturday game in a couple days in wintery Tennessee. Can they dance this Saturday Night Fever into the cold, snowy South and keep the scorecard hits rolling? We'll find out on the 3rd Saturday game of the week.
*3RD WIN IN A ROW ON HNIC. SATURDAYS. THE ONLY DAY NUCKS PLAY FOR.
Stop the Trade Train! Silence the media mavens! We've figured it out.
We're not trading Pete to Carolina. Oh... and by the way, we want Rantanen back.
Nucks are a great Saturday team. Their record on Saturdays is 8-2-2. Just play on Saturdays! Simples.
And slowly, one day, one game at-a-time start winning games on other days. How slowly? Check back in June, 2030.
Last week's weekday Nucking games were horrible. Pathetic. Sell your season tickets for pennies, sell the Franchise for pucks, pathetic.
And then Saturday roles around on HNIC, Nucks defeat the best team in league, by playing Taco Tough hockey and none of our besieged star forwards need to score. Huggie does the Quinning.
Seems unlikely the sad sacked Nucks of Thursday could out play the league's best team, end their win streak and keep Ovi off the Gretz hunt. And yet, that's what this Saturday Night Nucks did.
Despite there were twice as many Elias Petterssons on the ice, Miller didn't seem more miffed than usual.
1ST
A few minutes in and Ovi fires a blast after a face off. Lanky knocks it aside.
Period remains scoreless while Ovi takes a few more futile shots. That are either stopped by Lanky or blocked by Nucks who care.
Just half way through the period Quinn breaks the ice, ankles and minds with a wicked backhand.
WOOOO! HUGGY FROM HOGGY!
Twitch
Nucks lead 1-0. In the 1st. In the ROG! Against the OviCaps!
2ND
Early in the 2nd, Nucks put the game out of reach. No, really.
A clever bank pass to Quinn from Brock and the game is over. No, really.
WOW! What a shot by Hughes! 2-0
Twitch
Sure, the Caps pressed a bit. Sure Miller mifflered a bit. Didn't matter. Saturday Night Nucks have already won the game.
Nucks lead 2-zippo after 2. No really.
One of the worst leads in hockey though...
Twitch
3RD
And yet... the Saturday Night Nucks keep the worst lead in hockey until mid-period...
As it was bound to happen. After a good stop by Lanky, thinks he's covered the puck, but Dubois taps the unfrozen puck into the net.
Here's the challenge. They're playing well, even with the Capitals goal. Do they keep their cool, or start unravelling?
Thursday
The unanswerable is answered in 10 minutes or less.
Holy shit we didn't blow a lead!
Twitch
Even better, PDG had the EN for sure and then this happened.
This is INSANE in full goalie gear on ice skates #Lindgren #NHL #Canucks #Capitols
— Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷 (@paullecomtephoto.nz) January 25, 2025 at 9:41 PM
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Great catch, but doesn't matter. Nucks keep the lead and WIN! In regulation! In the ROG WOOOO!
The 3rd consecutive regulation win. On HNIC. On Saturday. A coincidence?
You decide.
OBSERVATIONS
Huggie dominated the game. He is the Nucks best player. Another multi point game from our Captain. 2 goals... 2 goals from Huggie. Has 54 points on the season!
Lanky played another great game. Good to have our 'interim' #1 goalie back.
The Saturday Night Nucks have the players, the skill, the jam to play like a great hockey team.
Bluesky called off the fan suicide watch and resumed the delightful Quinn watch.
With his 56th and 57th career goals tonight, Quinn Hughes has vaulted past Bieksa to tie Ed Jovonoski in career goals for #Canucks D-men.
— Canoof (@patquinnhughes.bsky.social) January 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
JT was focused on being a winning Canuck tonight.
Boy that was a hell of a game. - #Canucks was physical w/ 26 hits - JT Miller’s TOI was 19:46 more than any other forward. He had 24 shifts averaging 00:47 - Quinn Hughes did what Quinn Hughes does best. Carried the team on his back - D-Petey was great. TOI: 10:37 #Canucks
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) January 25, 2025 at 9:58 PM
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Just when the Nucks had lost us... they pull us back in.
#Canucks WIN @nhlcanucks.bsky.social WIN Just when you think it's time to stop caring about the team the pull out a stunning all team performance against the top team in the NHL. Even better Putins Puppy didn't score.
— Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷 (@paullecomtephoto.nz) January 25, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Anything else? Yes!
Can we rename the days of the week? Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday and Saturday, Saturday.
Video Replay
It's Shortie and Ray winning it up on the HNIC.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| PERIOD | VAN | WSH |
| 1st | 13 | 12 |
| 2nd | 8 | 11 |
| 3rd | 4 | 10 |
| TOTAL | 25 | 33 |
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Capt'n Huggie taking it to the net, the presser..
Lanky back in net and saving questions.
Taco Talks about grinding out a win and still learning.
Great statement game from the Saturday Nucks, not the terrible weekday Nucks.
Nucks face their toughest challenge next. In 48 hours, it's another Saturday game on the road in St Louis. Let's hope for another Saturday day night Nucks performance.
DON'T COMPETE - GET BLOWN OUT. NUCKS TRAGICOMEDY ACT 4.
This re-grudged match tilt had idiotic anti-social media bigging it up. Oil Patch was mad. Mad at big (little) bruising Gnarland. Mad at the NHL refs. Also... just freaking crazy mad.
In his preview, Kent sorta devoted a few words and many paragraphs and put more thought into the situation than any Oil fan...
This is criticism of the officials that leaves enough plausible doubt that they can't get fined. But the refs know exactly what they're saying. And I guarantee you tonight, Anytime an Oiler and Canuck player come together, the guys in the orange jerseys will snapping their necks like they're in the front row at a Slayer concert.
Kent
However...
I think you're giving the Oilers AND their fans way too much credit... they are not doing this on purpose. I live in Edmonton, and trust me, these people are straight up stupid. (I mean the ones whining like little bitches, and the Oilers organization). The oilers are the most entitled team in history, they just can't believe it happened.
Twitch
However, having said that, the officiating in the NHL is also straight up stupid, so the result will be exactly what Kent suggests it will... just it's the law of unintended consequences, not a planned thing.
Sure enough, in this game the Nucks didn't draw a single call. But the Oil got 4 power plays, but only scored on 2 of them. 50% PP, Pffft. Our PK was 50% too. Oh... wait...
Worse we watched the Nucks put in a feeble effort, forgetting how Tough Taco hockey is played and even worse didn't respond forcefully enough while Nurse was mugging Gnarly.
And so much worse, DouchePerry almost broke Huggie's neck, pitchforking Quinn to the ice. And no one smashed Perry into the boards. Possibly because, earlier Sherwood was injured and left the game. And Blueger, while drawing a call, dropped his gloves to goad Perry into a fight. Douchebag doesn't fight, he snickers and skates away.
Oh... and there was a few periods of hockey. Not great hockey from the Nucks. In fact, it might be one of their worst efforts of the season. There are so many to choose from.
Between BC Faeries taking Demmers away to remove any trace of Vezinaness, to ravaging Ronnie's hockey IQ, to the media-frenzied trade speculation that never stops making noise, to the dis-improved Nucking D-corp behind Quinn, from the unproductive top 6, especially the highest paid player, to the consistently inconsistent Nucking play, this season seems to be slipping away.
With 1 win in the last 3 games the slippery slope is speeding up. Actually 1 win in the last 5 games, but let's be gentle after last game - set a new slightly less lofty goal: .333 hockey.
Last game felt like late '22. That was a bad feeling, This game felt like late 2017. That's a worse feeling.
Taco can't save the team. Players can't save themselves. Seems unlikely that Trader JR/PA can save the season, or even the team, long-term.
1ST
Nucks get outplayed, by the Oil and the refs and exit the period down 3-zip.
Might be cool if the canucks would show up to a fucking game more than once in a while.
Twitch
They're not coming back, but at least they can try not to get shutout by the Oily backup goalie.
2ND
Good god there is zero energy from the canucks. They look like practice drones for the oilers. Annnnd another stupid undisciplined penalty.
Twitch
After the Oil had scored another 5-v-5 goal and another PP goal, and down 5-0, Nucks finally got on the board.
Boeser scores. Who cares.
Twitch
Huggie cares and sets up Ronnie for the booming one timer and boom! Nucks are only down 3 goals.
5-2 after 2 and nothing is settled changed. Oil still have a 3 goal lead. And Nucks aren't coming back.
3RD
This is the bonus chippy period where Huggie is assaulted, Gnarly is mugged and still the Nucks don't get a power play.
After getting his head driven into the ice #Canucks captain didn't get up & try to cross check Corey Perry to the head... That's what a classy player does. #OilersNation your #McJesus sucks
— Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷 (@paullecomtephoto.nz) January 23, 2025 at 8:37 PM
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And worse... more blown coverage and as ever puck is rushed into the zone and Kasper the Unfriendly Forward breaks in on an ill-prepared Demmers, who makes the 1st stop, but returns the rebound to Kapers who scores since Huggie has decided not to pursue his assignment.
The Demko we once knew and loved would have been prepared and made the save... but now...
Will peak Demko ever return?
Ripper
Game ends in the 6-2 blowout we didn't need to see, even if the Oilworkers did.
Well.
Thursday
Relief when it ended isn't what I was hoping for, but here it is.
We can hope that this is it. The low point of the season. But there's been so many so far, that we really don't know where the bottom is.
OBSERVATIONS
Terrible effort by the Nucks. Have they forgotten they are a team of talented, skilled players, coached by last season's Jack Adam's winner? Seems like.
I'm out of insights. Maybe fire the coach and bring back Wily...
Let's turn to the hopeful posters on Bluesky for some answers. Some hope.
Everybody with few exceptions had a rough night in this #Canucks team. - Quinn Hughes had the longest shift of the game 3:08 😮💨 - Desharnais??? I refuse to comment any further 😒 - Soucy ??? I mean … never mind. - EP40: $11.6 - GP:82, G:18, A:38, P:56, +/-: -2 #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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Ooooh Oilers so tough glomming in not Garland, and slew footing Hughes post whistle. Our two smallest players are the ones their biggest players pile onto. Helping McJesus through “the process” fer sure. #Canucks 💚💙🏒 (I’d rather be a loser than a teammate of McDavid or Nurse). 🤷🏻♀️🥸
— Cathy Canucks (@cathyrd.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 9:12 PM
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Not intending to start a big debate but here it goes. - EP40: $11.6M - GP:82, G:18, A:38, P:56, +/-: -2 - Miller: $8M - GP:82, G:27, A:54, P:81, +/-: +13 - Boeser: $6.6M - GP:82, G:33, A:29, P:62, +/-: -3 Trade Miller? Make it make sense? #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL
— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 10:04 PM
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Most disappointing #canucks group since the playoff performances of the WCE era. And did Tocchet really lose the room this quick?
— tonytanti1.bsky.social (@tonytanti1.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 10:11 PM
#Canucks thoughts on a 6-2 loss to the Oilers. It’s not that they lost. It’s how they lost. Little to no push back. Three good shifts in the second period Jake Debrusk has been invisible for a while now. This was a night they could have use the energy of Nikita Zadorov.
— @kevole (@kevole.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Anyone justifying #EP40's $11.6 needs their head read right about now. I was such a bandwagon fan right from the start, now I want his contract torn up. Good players lift others & don't need 'the best' around him. Say hello to Quinn Hughes #Canucks ZERO shots tonight, 1 hit, 1 block
— Paul Le Comte 🇳🇿🇨🇦📷 (@paullecomtephoto.nz) January 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I hate to say it but if we just praise Pettersson’s defensive play to justify his contract, remember this…Loui Eriksson was also a very good defender. #Canucks
— fuzzysnack (@fuzzysnack.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Oh... zing! When we start comparing EP40 to Louie, pretty much all hope is lost.
Anything else? Yes!
All hope is lost. See above.
Maybe not all...
Sign of the night, regardless! 😂 #Canucks #defiant
— CrankyCanucksFan (@crankycanucksfan.bsky.social) January 23, 2025 at 8:56 PM
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Video Replay
It's homers in the other ROG to call the McOil revenge game. No need to watch.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| PERIOD | VAN | EDM |
| 1st | 11 | 13 |
| 2nd | 4 | 14 |
| 3rd | 11 | 7 |
| TOTAL | 26 | 34 |
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
Bess gets a goal and a presser to explain the unexplainable.
Blueger answering questions that have no good answers.
If Taco hasn't lost the room, the team seems to be losing Taco.
Must win attitude. Must win games. So much mustard and not enough beef and grit.
Turns out the Nucks can't beat one of the worst teams or beat one of the best.
Feels like the old Nucking despair is descending upon NucksNation again.
Will Lord Rutherford swoop in and swat away all the careless, demotivated players?
If only he could do something...
GET A LEAD - BLOW A LEAD. NUCKS TRAGICOMEDY ACT 3.
Coming into this match of Expansion Hockey Titans, Nucks had defeated Buffalo in the last 5 consecutive meetings.
After the great win over the tOilers and Gnarland putting his face into McWhiney's stick in the last seconds of the game and Chaos Giraffe learning stick etiquette from the best player in the game, we know, the Nucks know, this time for sure... no doubt aboot it... they've turned the corner. The good game/bad game existential hockey dichotomy is in the past! Yay!
And still the question lingers, like a post-game dank aroma in the ROG.
Remember the last time the Nucks won consecutive games?
Nucks don't either.
The last time was Dec. 1st, 2024. That was 23 games ago.
This wouldn't be horrible... if the Nucking goal was to summit Mt. 500... like the peak of late 2022.
But this isn't late '22, even if it feels like it.
However, this is 2025 and the Nucks have regressed. Lots of reasons why... and we'll have plenty of time in late April to discuss.
For now... we just watch as we wait for the next retool/rebuild/re-coach to make the Nucks a contender. In 2030.
The task in this game for the Nucks was to win another hockey game against the 3rd worst team in the league. Turns out, that was a task this team couldn't quite fulfill.
1ST
Nucks don't give up the 1st goal in the 1st in the 1st few minutes. No, they give it up in the last few minutes of the period. After Pete loses a D-zone draw. After an avoidable icing.
See the pattern?
No? Just wait a bit.
Nucks down 1-0 after 1. Not a big deal.
2ND
The sluggish Nucks came out and put some pressure on the worst team in the eastern conference that has a habit of giving up goals when they have the lead. We know what that feels like.
Within mere minutes, Nucks get a bounce and PDG gets a goal!
Woooo DiGi!
Twitch
Nucks have secured the tie! Let's go straight to OT!
That would be the best move.
Instead, the Nucks apply some determined pressure to the Sabres, who broke, just like their sticks. And here's something we haven't very often, Pete scores!
WOOO! PETEY!!!
Twitch
The ROG is rocking. All is forgiven. The Nucks have the one goal lead. That's all they need.
2-1 Nucks after 2.
3RD
The Nucks come into the 3rd looking to cruise to the early win sporting the unsafest lead in hockey.
And surprisingly, Buffalo isn't going away easy. In fact, they're pushing the pace - the tired team on the 2nd of a B-2-B. It's not fair!
Early in the period, Nucks are content to sit back while getting outshot 5-2.
The Nucking contentment ends mid period as the Sabres expose the Nucking malaise. Huggie goes to cover the puck carrier man and Ronnie is somewhere, but nowhere near the front of the net. Puck is passed to the unattended Buffalo forward who swats the puck past Demmers.
It's a 2-2 tie! FFS!
Not letting them get into the zone quite so easily would be good. A bad sequence and now that cushion is gone. They've been able to generate offence this game, so that's promising.
Thursday
But then, surprise, surprise, the promising isn't as promising as hoped.
Huggie makes a bank pass to Sherwood, but Sherwood was banking the other way. It's another icing.
Blueger loses the face off and in seconds the blown coverage is converted into the GWG.
Now we see the pattern.
And yet... Nucks only lost 2 D-zone face offs all game. Both resulted in goals against.
Still... the comeback kids have the motivation to comeback and lose with dignity in OT.
The motivation, perhaps, not the execution.
Buffalo beats, the once again consistently inconsistent, Canucks 3-2. In the ROG.
Oh well... 2 game win streaks are for showy-off teams... we're the NHL Drama Club.
jimmi
OBSERVATIONS
I know, I know, real Canucks fans are hardened to disappointment. We've just recovered from the lost decade where JB/Wily/Green wasted the end of the Sedin's careers. We can take it.
We're tough. We're resilient.
This team that won so many home games last season. That rarely gave up a 3rd period lead. That team is no more.
So, if we're feeling a little disappointed, it's not just because the Nucks have regressed, but this core is going Ground Hogging to recapture those bitter losses of 2021-2022.
No trades have been made, despite the one million soc-media words being spilled about the trade(s).
And yet, feels like we've already lost our 100 point star forwards of last year.
Whether Pete or JT or both are traded and we win the trade(s), which we won't, doesn't seem there's a retool that could fix all that is broken.
Even Taco is getting worn down. Says this season is the hardest he's ever had to work through... and he had some dire ones in the desert.
Not saying the Nucks are cursed to have a single good season once every 5 or 10 years... but what if it's true. What if the league doesn't want the Nucks to be a winning hockey team, but an award winning drama society?
Maybe Bluesky posters have some uplifting messages for us...
He's not the first coach they've done this to. At a certain point, the blame has to go to the core. And if the #Canucks only get two more years of Quinn Hughes, they better make it count.
— W. Ron Sweeney (@wronsweeney.bsky.social) January 21, 2025 at 10:52 PM
#Canucks
— David Cee (@canucksin4.bsky.social) January 21, 2025 at 9:42 PM
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That was a hard luck loss. Sabres made zero mistakes. Probably because we didn't force them to make any. Suter's post on the PK was a bit of a turning point. Have to start drawing penalties. And finish our chances. #Canucks
— DJTaxman77 (@hugheshart43.bsky.social) January 21, 2025 at 9:41 PM
It's so weird watching a team that is painfully average. Not even comically bad, just mid #Canucks
— FraserValleyBricks (@fraservalleybricks.bsky.social) January 21, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Anything else? Yes!
If Taco Tough hockey is all about the stinge, then the Nucks need to be Scrooging on every shift. That attention to detail is too fine a thing for this 25 minutes a game roster.
Video Replay
Shortie 'n Dave in the ROG again to call the 1st consecutive ROG wins in over a month - except for the non-consecutive part.
GAME STATS
SHOTS
| PERIOD | VAN | BUF |
| 1st | 8 | 7 |
| 2nd | 13 | 9 |
| 3rd | 13 | 10 |
| TOTAL | 34 | 26 |
PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK
PDG likes playing and scoring... giving up leads... not so much.
Pete looking for better consistency. Has he tried ordering online?
Demmers shares his disappointment. This is like game 11 for him - the beginning of the season. Except it's the end of January.
Taco has to resort to scientific analogies, this game is a microcosm of the season. The microcosm is like a macrocosm of NucksNation. Or something.
This latest humiliation at home is over. The Nucks Country Club ethos we thought was history, has returned and worn away the Taco Tough Tactics. Not saying it's hopeless to save this season... but it's a good start towards a lost season.
Nucks can't beat one of the worst teams. But get another chance to beat one of the best. On the road.
On Thursday, Nucks are in Oil Country to face the outrage, the idiotic outrage. Going to be fun for the commenters and the internet. We expect that Troy from Richmond will be looking to put the hold on Gnarly.
Another ROG loss, the 16th this season doesn't diminish the 8 ROG wins. It just feels twice as bad, that's all.
