NUCKS EXHAUSTED AND NIGHTIES AREN'T

A WHO CARES? GAME LOST. LATE IN THE 3RD.

We're on the expiry watch of the Nucks season and the NHL schedulers made it just a little more painful by playing Nighties, not once, but twice in the final 6 games of this lost season.

Nucks haven't won many on the 2nd night of a B-2-B . However, they have lost many of them. This is one.

Surprisingly, this game was much closer than expected. On the scoresheet. On the O-zone time in the 3rd... let's skip that for now.

1ST

Of course, the Nighties are driving play to start. And yet... not on the shot count. NOT on scoresheet.

Instead, Nucks are putting shots on net. And then...

Hogs....miracle
Westy

Nucks lead 1-0 just a few minutes in. And keep the lead for nearly 5 minutes.

Vegas scores against the flow
Westy

No worries. They keep the tie for 5 minutes or more.

Vegas with 2-1 lead
Westy

Nucks trail 2-1 after 1. And is the game over? No. But the outcome is certain.

2ND

Nucks get the only goal of the 2nd. From Räty going to the dirty area and sweeping it clean.

Nighties challenged the goal and lost. Nucks got a PP and didn't score.

Doesn't matter. What matters is the Nucks have won back the tie and plan on keeping it in the 3rd.

3RD

Nucks keep the tie, despite getting outshot 6-1 in the initial 8 minutes or so.

Vegas has the league record for the most goals scored in 3rd periods. Unfortunate stat to discover mid-period.

As ever, whether leading or tying in the 3rd, Nucks fall back on their tried and true fallback plan. Defend in their own zone, give up lots of chances to the opponent and finally knock the puck into the other zone when a line change is needed.

Worse, late in the period, Nucks get a little O-zone time. Put 2 consecutive shots on the Hill. Moments later Nighties scoot up ice and you know, score. Mancini and Huggie and R2 didn't look good on the play, but who wants more loser points anyways?

Okay, so maybe NOW the Canucks will make the game fun?

-- Thursday

They didn't. AHL Nucks lose a close game 3-2 in the ROG against the division's top team.

OBSERVATIONS

Low expectations to win the game, so this loss coming late in the 3rd wasn't crushing. That's good. We need some time and space to recover the emotional wounds of this crap season.

Capt'n Huggie logged over 26 minutes... didn't look great, no shots, no points and a -3. Oh well, a well deserved rest is a mere couple weeks away. His partner, Mancini looked like he was trying too hard at the wrong times. Kid's got talent tho.

D-Petey is very talented. And is getting better with every game. Now if he'd score in every game, that would be good too.

The sky is raining on us...

I just saw Räty take the most Manny Malholtra style faceoff I've seen in years. Super low, with the stick almost parallel to the ice. #Canucks

— Ryan avgtraveller (@viewfromtherog.bsky.social) April 6, 2025 at 9:16 PM

If I say I’ve been disenchanted with Hughes’ play the last few games am I gonna be surrounded by angry villagers with burning torches? #Canucks

— Ashley (@ash340.bsky.social) April 6, 2025 at 9:40 PM

Even with the playoffs a pipe dream, I’m still invested enough in this #Canucks game to have eaten nearly a whole bag of Jelly Babies.

— CrankyCanucksFan (@crankycanucksfan.bsky.social) April 6, 2025 at 9:22 PM

Anything else? Yes!

Season is slip sliding away. Boy oh boy, that end-of-year presser is gonna be great!

Video Rehash

It's Shortie and Dave calling this ROG game where the Nucks didn't quite ROG out a win.

GAME STATS

PLAYER POINTS

SHOTS

PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK

Hoagie is back on the ice, on the scoresheet and the presser.

R2 gets a presser and a goal.

Taco admits the Nucks just aren't good enough to keep up with the long dark Nights.

The Nucks played one of their final home games of the season. And lost. If they'd won a few or a lot more home games this season, this wouldn't be one of the final ROG outings. But we know that.

Nucks are back on the road for a mind-bending 2 game slog through Texas and Colorado next week. We can look forward to at least one upset, right?