The Vancouver Canucks are staring down one of the NHL’s hottest teams at a time when they can least afford it. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been red-hot since Christmas, ripping off a 10-2-2 run and steamrolling opponents with quick starts and layered, relentless offense. Thursday night’s 6-2 dismantling of the Edmonton Oilers was just the latest example - Pittsburgh grabbed control early and never looked back.
For the Canucks, the timing couldn’t be worse. They’ve now dropped 12 of their last 13 games and are struggling to turn effort into results.
Friday’s 5-4 loss to the Devils was a prime example: flashes of good play, but not enough to tip the scales. And with Pittsburgh already having handled Vancouver 5-1 earlier this season - and Sidney Crosby riding a five-game point streak while Evgeni Malkin continues to produce at nearly a point-per-game pace - the Canucks will need to be nearly perfect just to stay in it early.
Goaltending Carousel Continues
Saturday brought yet another shake-up in the crease. Vancouver recalled Nikita Tolopilo from the AHL and sent Jiri Patera back down. Tolopilo has already seen NHL action this season - six games, a 2-3-0 record - but his numbers (3.97 GAA, .881 SV%) reflect the uphill battle he’s faced behind a team still searching for defensive structure.
As for Patera, his latest stint with the big club never turned into an opportunity. He spent three games on the bench and has just one NHL appearance this season - an 8-5 loss to Florida where he gave up seven goals on 40 shots. With no clear path to playing time, the Canucks opted to reshuffle the depth chart and give Tolopilo another look.
But the bigger story here is the ongoing instability in net. Neither Tolopilo nor Patera has seized the job, and with the team in a deep slide, the Canucks are still searching for someone to bring consistency to the most critical position on the ice. In a season where the margin for error has all but disappeared, goaltending uncertainty is a problem they can’t afford to let linger.
Small Sparks, But the Fire’s Still Fading
Despite the losses piling up, there are still some encouraging signs. Linus Karlsson continues to stand out with his energy and effort.
Rookie defenseman Zeev Buium finally broke through with his first goal in 18 games - a much-needed confidence boost. And Brock Boeser remains a threat when he gets the puck in the right spots.
But those bright spots are being overshadowed by broader issues. Conor Garland is mired in a nine-game scoreless drought, and the offensive burden continues to fall on the same few players.
Vancouver has had stretches of solid play, but they haven’t been able to string together full 60-minute efforts. Until that changes, every game is going to feel like an uphill battle.
Filip Hronek Isn’t Going Anywhere - And That’s a Good Thing
With trade rumors swirling around Vancouver’s blue line ever since Quinn Hughes was dealt in December, Filip Hronek’s name has occasionally surfaced as a possible trade chip. But let’s be clear - that’s not happening. His agent, Allan Walsh, has already shot down the speculation, and both Hronek and the Canucks are on the same page.
And why wouldn’t they be? Hronek has been one of the few stabilizing forces during Vancouver’s rough patch.
He’s second on the team in points with 29, including four goals, and he’s doing it while logging heavy minutes in all situations - power play, penalty kill, you name it. He’s not just surviving; he’s driving play and providing a steadying presence on a blue line that’s seen plenty of turnover.
At 28, Hronek brings the kind of experience and leadership that’s invaluable during a rebuild. He’s taken on a mentorship role with younger defensemen like Tom Willander and Buium, and his consistency has been one of the few constants during this stretch. For a team trying to build a new core, Hronek isn’t a trade piece - he’s a cornerstone.
What Comes Next
The Canucks know the clock is ticking. They’ve had moments - even games - where they’ve played well enough to win.
But “almost” doesn’t cut it in the NHL, especially when you’re chasing the standings. As Teddy Blueger put it after the loss to New Jersey, good teams find ways to win close games.
Right now, Vancouver isn’t doing that.
The effort is still there, but confidence is fragile. When games start to tilt early - as they often have - it’s been tough for the Canucks to push back. And now they face a Penguins team that thrives on momentum and knows how to close the door once they get a lead.
There’s no more room for moral victories. The Canucks need results, and they need them now.
Against a team like Pittsburgh, that means showing up from the opening faceoff, playing smart, disciplined hockey, and finding a way to stay in the fight. Because at this point in the season, every game feels like a test - and the answers are getting harder to come by.