The injury-depleted Canucks battled hard but fell 5-2 to the Minnesota Wild, with Vladimir Tarasenko leading the charge with a goal and two assists.
Canucks’ Comeback Hopes Fade in Minnesota
It was a tough night for the Vancouver Canucks, who, despite their fighting spirit, couldn’t overcome the Minnesota Wild, dropping a 5-2 decision on Saturday at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
The Wild, powered by a dynamic performance from Vladimir Tarasenko, who tallied a goal and two assists, snapped their five-game skid in front of a roaring home crowd.
Tarasenko Sparks Early Momentum
Midway through the opening period, Tarasenko showcased his vintage skill, gliding through traffic and slipping the puck past Thatcher Demko for his second goal of the season. It was a classic Tarasenko moment—smooth, smart, and perfectly timed.
Despite trailing early, the Canucks stayed composed. Shots after one period favored Minnesota 6-4, but Vancouver was clearly not backing down.
O’Connor Leads the Canucks’ Charge
Early in the second period, Drew O’Connor evened the score, cashing in a rebound from Mackenzie MacEachern’s shot—marking MacEachern’s first point as a Canuck.
However, the momentum didn’t last long. Just eight minutes later, Marco Rossi restored Minnesota’s lead on a power play rebound that slipped past Demko’s glove. By the end of the second, the Wild held a narrow 19-16 edge in shots, but a big push was still possible.
Wild Pull Away in the Third
The third period began with fireworks—and not in the Canucks’ favor. Vinnie Hinostroza raced end-to-end and beat Demko glove-side for his first of the year, igniting the crowd and extending the lead to 3-1.
Moments later, Jonas Brodin’s seemingly harmless shot somehow found its way in, making it 4-1. Demko could only shake his head.
Still, O’Connor wasn’t done. He notched his second goal of the night after Aatu Raty’s clean faceoff win, bringing the Canucks within striking distance at 4-2. But any hopes of a comeback were crushed when Ryan Hartman sealed the deal with an empty-netter at 16:43.
Silver Linings and Next Steps
There were a few bright spots for the Canucks. O’Connor’s two-goal night was a major highlight, and the team saw the return of Brock Boeser, adding some depth to their injury-hit lineup.
Meanwhile, Filip Gustavsson stood tall for the Wild, turning away 26 shots to secure the win.
Minnesota went one-for-three on the power play, while Vancouver couldn’t convert on its chances—an area they’ll need to tighten up before their next matchup.
Looking Ahead
The Canucks will try to bounce back quickly as they head to Nashville on Monday to face the Predators. With their roster still riddled with injuries, the team’s resilience will be tested yet again—but if there’s one thing this group has shown, it’s grit.
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