Great News! Canucks Extend Their Record! 1st NHL Team To 17 Losses!

Bad news... Can't beat posts, goalies and the talent-gap.

Here's what we learned: The ROG is a tough rink to play in. Mainly for Vancouver.

Canucks outchanced and outshot the Sabres early. As we learned in the Wings game, not a good sign. In fact, not that we're in the mood for facts this season, the facts state the Nucks are 2-9 when doing the out-chancing-shooting-stuff.

Here's the other thing... with the outworking thing, while being under-centered... it's how you don't win games.

Nucks had around 84 shot attempts. 32 Shots blocked. 24 Missed shots. And 32 shots on goal.

Lots of shooting, not enough scoring. Against another forever basement dwelling team.

Outshot our expansion bro Sabres 2:1 and still lost. Experience #Canucks hockey. 🤦‍♂️

— puck2thehead.bsky.social (@puck2thehead.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 9:39 PM

Period 1

Nucks in this homestand have had enough practice to absorb more of Footey's Loosey Footsey defensive system. And that practice pays off in the 1st, when 1st round pick, Dahlin is gifted time and space in the middle to pick his corner and beat Demmers clean.

Fine. Demmer is a bit rusty. Nucks will get this one back. And do. On the PP!

Not making it up. Scrambly play in front of Sabre's backup - many Nucks swatting and last swat goes to Sherwood! Nucks PP breaks the 44 minute extra-man drought. Sherry's 1st goal in 8 games, so that was good.

1-1 after 1. Nucks outshoot their expansion cousin, 12-7.

Period 2

In the 2nd, because the Nucks have been practicing and resting, look the more tired team. Nucks absorbing pressure and then going against the flow of play, D-Petey behind his own net, knocks the puck around boards all they way up to DeBrusk on the blueline - passes to Sassy, who turns on the Maximum Sassy jets to break in on Lyon to score.

Canucks with the incomparable 2-1 lead! In the ROG! We're excited. Perhaps more than required.

Woo hoo, we’re wonderful now! #canucks

— Terry & dog 🦮...🇨🇦🍁 (@aweebitdaft.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 8:14 PM

OMG we’re gonna win the cup!!

— 🇨🇦Cathy Canucks(💙💛🇺🇦) (@cathyrd.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 8:16 PM

And then the ever reliable Nucks inscrutable defense system keeps the center clear for sharp shooting Sabres to have the time and space to pick a corner Demmer didn't know was there - a corner of the net that was surprised by Tage's 84mph wrister.

Um, yeah, Thompson's not the guy to leave alone, okay, guys? Guessing he was the centre's responsibility to cover and no one could remember who that was.

-- Thursday

Back to evens and the Nucks can just focus on getting the go ahead goal.

After the legendary 30th place PK works their magic. They did it in the 1st, why not the 2nd?

Perhaps due to coverage issues. Perhaps the renown ROG kindness to slumping players - especially locals. Just like the storybooks tell it, Chilliwack shooter, Benson - snakebit for 35 games, jumps on the puck in the slot and slams it past Demmers.

Nothing like playing the #canucks to break a slump for someone struggling.

— jbearz.bsky.social (@jbearz.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 8:32 PM

That one’s on Shorty. How many times did he have to mention that Benson stat? #Canucks

— Ian St. (@ian-st.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 8:32 PM

Guess we're not preserving the tie this period, #Canucks?

— NucksMisconduct (@nucksmisconduct.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 8:32 PM

3-2 Sabres after 2nd period. And after 3rd period as it turns out.

This game reminds me of a Costco parking lot. Lots of circling around, and a collision every once in a while…

-- Rob Scott

Period 3

Still the Nucks applied pressure and chances in the 3rd. Outshooting the less bad team 12-2, which seems like a lot of shots, but this roster requires 16 shots to score a goal. Does seem there is a talent gap, even to the lowly dull Sabres.

There was a funny moment when the Nucks were wasting their 3rd PP chance. Huggie, possibly in his 25th minute of game time bobbled the puck at the Buf blue... puck trickles into the Nucks zone. Demmer skates out to make the quick up. Puck went up... but not the desired trajectory...

That was a close call 😳 Demko is clearly a little rusty here. 😬 #Canucks #GoCanucksGo #NHL

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— Canucks Watcher (@canuckswatcher.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 9:06 PM

Not that it means too much. To us. Not that the Sabres were gifted the win. Nucks played hard, but not good enough - so Buf got their 1st regulation win of the season on the road. That's what we're here for - to help other teams bust their slumps.

#Canucks did everything they could that period. Grade A chances everywhere, but no finishers.

— Ryan avgtraveller (@viewfromtherog.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM

Can't finish? Why start?

On the big screen at least the Nucks weren't blown out by the 4th worst team in the league. Still stings a little. Maybe some trade action will cheer us up. If only...

Can we trade Allvin? Package deal with Rutherford. Will take a 7th round pick and a Whitespot Pirate pack #Canucks

— Bjarn D (@bjarndawg.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 9:36 PM

OBSERVATIONS:

• Nucks scored twice on 32 shots - needed 48.
• 32nd spot is looking more secure after every game.
• Hughes played over 30 minutes. Too bad the coach is powerless to do his job.

Hey, if you can't coach- just over-play your best guy?

— islandgal (@islandgal.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 9:38 PM

When you're in the 32nd level of NHL hell... it can't get any worse. Or can it?

If the sports media is gonna talk about this every day until Quinn and Jim decide to end it I will be tuning out every single day. And if they trade Quinn so long season tickets for the next 5 years. #Canucks

— DJTaxman77 (@hugheshart43.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 11:36 PM

Team sports are the male equivalent of soap operas.

— Rod (@roddlyyours.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM

Not mad, not apathetic, just resigned. Le sigh. #Canucks

— Ian St. (@ian-st.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 9:57 PM

For now, there's a sliver of a micron of an invisible silver lining.

The good news is it appearsnDemko made it thought the game unscathed. The bad news is #canucks appear to be tethered to that 32nd spot.

— Gary Moen 🇨🇦 (@gmoen.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 9:38 PM

As bad as the Nucks have been to start the season, a season which is already doomed, as bad as the Nucks are, they'll be even worse without Quinn to dazzle us.

We're at the point where's there's no reason to worry about wins or losses. Just enjoy the Huggie moments. As well as the good, the bad and the ugly plays from the other Nucks who may or may not be playing for our wonderful team in March.

Our wonderful team that JR/PA transformed from up and coming contender to bottom of the empty tank in two short seasons. Oh sorry... this is the motivational portion of the recap. I have none, but Thursday can take us home.

These are two of the worst teams in the league, are they?

Sure they are, but still fun AF right now!

I'm just going to enjoy the games from here on in. We got lots of practice in the '80s and '90s. 😎

-- Thursday

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Shortie and Dave in the ROG calling the Battle At The Bottom.

GAME STATS

COMMENTING OUT LOUD

Quinn trying to stay positive amidst the losing and endless trade gossip!

Demmers is back and picking up the frustration where it hits his glove.

Sherry feeling the frustration too - despite breaking the goal drought.

Bess feeling the frustration - now more than ever.

Footey getting lotsa chances. Too many?

We're back to the quiet place. The last place. Defeated by one of the former residents of the stinky basement.

There's been worse seasons in the Benning era (right? right??). We made it through those horrible years to become better, bitter, more miserable fans. We can take it.

Could be worse. Or could it? You decide.

On The Road Again

And with another ROG loss, the easy home games are over. Nucks head east on the weekend to play the Devils on Sunday morning. Not much to talk about with that game.