Canucks Snap Skid with Gritty Win Over Capitals: Signs of Growth in a Tough Season
It’s been a long time coming, but the Vancouver Canucks finally gave their fans something to cheer about. With a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals at Rogers Arena, the Canucks snapped an 11-game winless streak, notching their first victory of 2026-and their first regulation win since December 19.
For a team that hadn’t won in regulation at home since early December, this one felt like more than just two points in the standings. It felt like a sigh of relief.
Sure, the talk around this team lately has been dominated by “the tank”-a word that’s become all too familiar in Vancouver sports circles. But for the fans who still show up, who still wear the jersey and stand to cheer when the final horn sounds, this win was a reminder of why they keep coming back. There’s still pride in this group, and on nights like this, you can see the foundation of something more.
A Resilient Response
Assistant coach Nolan Foote summed it up well postgame: “I think the best part was how our bench was after being down. It was really calm and you have to give a lot of credit to the guys for not getting rattled.”
It wasn’t a perfect game. The Canucks gave up two power-play goals on the first six shots Kevin Lankinen faced.
The officiating left something to be desired. But the team didn’t unravel.
They responded with structure and a commitment to defending in the tough areas, especially when the pressure ramped up late.
“When we had to defend down low, they did a good job clogging it up,” Foote added. That’s not something you could say consistently about this team over the past month, but it was true on this night.
Boeser and Garland Lead the Way
Brock Boeser had the kind of game that reminds you why he’s still considered a core piece. He was active, engaged, and not just on the scoresheet.
Matched up against Tom Wilson, Boeser held his own defensively while still managing to spark the offense. His goal lit a fire under the team, and he finished with four shots on net in what was arguably his most complete performance in weeks.
Conor Garland brought his usual energy and tenacity, and his chemistry with linemates Liam Ohgren and Teddy Blueger gave the Canucks a solid second unit. Ohgren, still learning the pace of the NHL, complemented the line well with two shots and six total attempts, showing flashes of the offensive instincts that made him a first-round pick.
Young Talent Showing Growth
There’s no hiding the fact that this is a young team still learning how to win. But nights like this show that the lessons are starting to stick.
Filip Hronek stood out with a strong two-way game. His goal-an impressive finish off the rush-was a reminder of how valuable he can be when he joins the attack. Defensively, he was steady in his own zone, helping settle things down when the Capitals made their push.
Zeev Buium, one of the Canucks’ most promising young blue-liners, is still adjusting to the NHL’s speed and structure. But he made a few plays that caught the eye, including a burst to the net that nearly resulted in a goal and a couple of key shot blocks that showed his willingness to sacrifice in the defensive zone.
Lankinen Holds the Fort
It wasn’t the cleanest start for Kevin Lankinen, who gave up two early power-play goals, but he settled in and gave the Canucks the kind of goaltending they’ve been missing during this recent stretch. He didn’t need to steal the game, but he made the saves he had to make when it mattered most. That stability allowed the team in front of him to play with more confidence-and it showed.
Looking Ahead
This win doesn’t erase the struggles of the past month. It doesn’t change the fact that the Canucks are still a rebuilding team with a long road ahead.
But it does show that the group hasn’t quit. They’re still competing, still buying into the structure, and still finding ways to grow-even through the adversity.
Foote put it best: “With this young group, we’re going to have some tough nights, but to not fall off a game plan… I’m happy for them. I’m proud of them.”
That pride was shared by the fans at Rogers Arena, who stood and cheered as the final horn sounded. For one night, at least, the Canucks gave them a reason to believe again.