More Good News... This Horrid Road Trip Is Over!

Bad news... lose an easily won game... if only for special teams at special times.

26 powerplays and no goals....nice job

-- Westy

Perhaps this was a less terrible loss than the previous one. Perhaps.

Didn't get blown out on the scorecard. Didn't go 0-For-5 on the PP and give up a shortie. Oh wait. Nucks did. Of course they did.

Nucks started slow and managed to keep up that pace while getting outshot 12-5 in the 1st. Outshot 12-5 including nearly 10 minutes of special PP time.

Our PP looks very robotic. No urgency. It feels like no one wants to be on this team other than Demko and Boeser. Does anyone look like they are enjoying playing hockey? I thought Miller was the problem with this group? The refs are gonna be evening things up the next 2 periods. #Canucks

— DJTaxman77 (@hugheshart43.bsky.social) October 23, 2025 at 5:55 PM

And the refs did... but not before the disinterested Nucks PP gave up a shortie early in the 2nd.

Canucks continue to suck on the PP....then give up a goal

-- Westy

However, the Calder Cup line missed the memo about tanking to free the Yukon or something, got the Nucks on the board, Karlson stretch pass to the speedy Sassonator who spun, sped and scored 5-hole on Soros.

The Max Sasson 8-year extension on July 1 with the #Canucks is gonna hit different

— Adam Kierszenblat (@adamkblat.bsky.social) October 23, 2025 at 6:27 PM

Thus far, in fewer games, Max has more goals than EP40... that can make a Nucks fan's mind wander...

For a second, I allowed myself to imagine a #Canucks rebuild with ten Max Sassons. #sigh

— CrankyCanucksFan (@crankycanucksfan.bsky.social) October 23, 2025 at 6:31 PM

1-1 tie after 2. In the 3rd, Nucks could take this game - or a loser point - if not for a trickling puck across the line behind Demmers that M-Petey almost de-trickled.

Possibly the most boring goal of the season... and worse, most boring GWG against of the road trip.

However, less than 8 minutes remaining in the game, a small miracle happens. EP40 got his 1st shot on goal. Yay!

Also... it was his last shot on goal.

Of course, Footey pulls Demmers for the extra attacker warm body in the last couple minutes. Which at least doesn't result in the EN for the bored home fans.

A very winnable road game lost. At least we're through losing our dinners and minds... until the weekend.

OBSERVATIONS:

Some might be wondering if this freshly fragile Nucks roster can recover to play competitive pro hockey, either sooner or sometime much later.

#Canucks have scored three goals in eight periods since Filip Chytil got hurt. Not good.

— Noah Strang (@noahstrang.bsky.social) October 23, 2025 at 7:34 PM

And the guy who got only 12mins tonight has 1 of them, plus has 3x the no. 11.6 has, plus is only 1 off team lead, despite starting in Abby...only 1 was scored by someone making more than $2m

— Perry DeNure (@coachdenure.bsky.social) October 23, 2025 at 8:02 PM

Still, there's some faint hope left in a dark corner outside Abby.

The ENTIRE team was absolutely horrible tonight outside of the Abby kids. This coaching hire was laughed at from the jump. Not a single player looked like they knew what they were doing. A bunch of guys trying to make individual plays. Fire everyone. #Canucks fans deserve better. #selltheteam

— juicemonkey89.bsky.social (@juicemonkey89.bsky.social) October 23, 2025 at 7:40 PM

Could be worse...

Yeah, a desperation move will be required by the #Canucks and soon. Otherwise every sports radio show will be spending 2026 workshopping Hughes trades and discussing a Pettersson buyout. #McKennaTime

— W. Ron Sweeney (@wronsweeney.bsky.social) October 23, 2025 at 8:02 PM

Unless the Nucks PP decide on their own to get 'powerful' can we expect a PP coaching change? Because it looks like a group of uncoached individuals trying to find something...

Or is this just a roster depletion problem and Footy needn't worry. But PA/JR do.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

John and Dave calling a 'game' - a not that good game.

GAME STATS

COMMENTING OUT LOUD

Max gets a presser in a loss... fun job.

Huggie waiting to go home... sweet home New Jersey?

Footey putting more pucks on the net behind our weak hopes.

It's over. Hellish road trip is over. Although it would have been a little less hellish with a better PP. Lots of room for improvement.

No rest for the road weary... Nucks are home to host Le Habs on Saturday and Oil on Sunday. Home for a B-2-B!