As the Vancouver Canucks gear up for a Monday night clash against the New York Islanders, there’s more at stake than just two points in the standings. This matchup marks game five of a critical seven-game homestand-the longest stretch at Rogers Arena this season-and the Canucks are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Oilers on Saturday.
Foote Focused on Growth, Not Panic
Head Coach Adam Foote isn’t sugarcoating things. Saturday’s second period against Edmonton got away from his group, and he knows it. But instead of pointing fingers, Foote is leaning into the development curve, especially for his younger players and goaltender.
“I see all these young guys can play, and it’s just a lot at once,” Foote said. “It’s not all on them; it’s nothing we can do about it.”
That’s a coach who understands the long game. Foote isn’t just managing a roster-he’s helping mold a core that’s still learning how to weather the storms of an NHL season. And with another test on deck Monday, he’s keeping the message consistent: keep showing up, keep battling, and let the tough lessons fuel the growth.
“There’s going to be another battle tomorrow,” Foote said. “It’s a practice, and learning, and growing from this. It stings, but it helps you grow the fastest.”
Islanders Come In Battle-Tested
The Islanders arrive in Vancouver sitting second in the Metropolitan Division with a 26-17-5 record. They’re five games into a grueling seven-game road swing-their second of the season-and have gone 2-2-1 so far. They’ve done this before, going 6-1-0 on their previous extended trip, so don’t expect them to be fazed by the travel.
Mat Barzal leads the team in scoring with 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 47 games, while former Canuck Bo Horvat has paced the team with 21 goals. However, Horvat won’t be in the lineup Monday as he remains back in New York rehabbing an injury.
Offensively, the Islanders have struggled to capitalize on the power play, converting just once in their last seven games. Their season-long power play efficiency sits at 15.6%, which ranks 29th league-wide. But they’ve made up for it on the back end.
Defensively, this is one of the stingiest teams in the league. They’re allowing just 2.69 goals per game-third-best in the NHL-and a big reason for that is Ilya Sorokin.
The Islanders’ netminder has been steady all season, posting a .915 save percentage, a 2.47 goals-against average, and five shutouts. His 15-11-2 record doesn’t tell the full story-Sorokin has given his team a chance to win more nights than not.
Blueger and Chytil Trending in the Right Direction
There’s some encouraging news on the injury front for Vancouver. Centers Teddy Blueger and Filip Chytil are inching closer to a return, and both spoke to the media after Sunday’s skate.
“I’m feeling the best I’ve felt in a long time,” Blueger said. “It’s good to be out there with the guys; it’s been a long progression. Been a bit difficult, but yeah, feeling as good as I have in a while.”
Chytil, who’s been out for around three months, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the work he’s put in to get back to this point.
“Now, I need some more practices with my teammates,” he said. “And whenever I’ll be ready, I’m going to be back. And yeah, I can’t wait for that day.”
Foote didn’t commit to a firm timeline but left the door open for Blueger to potentially suit up Monday.
“There’s probably an outside chance tomorrow for Teddy, and hopefully, Chytil is soon,” Foote said. “Both of them looked good on the ice today.”
Canucks Need a Spark
Over the last five games, the Canucks’ offense hasn’t exactly been lighting it up. Elias Pettersson leads the way with three points (2 goals, 1 assist), while Linus Karlsson has chipped in with two assists. Brock Boeser, Evander Kane, and Max Sasson have each added a goal, but overall, the production has been spread thin.
That’s not necessarily a red flag, but it does put added importance on creating more sustained pressure, especially against a team as defensively sound as the Islanders. With the homestand nearing its end, the Canucks will want to tighten things up and rediscover some offensive rhythm.
Puck Drop
The Canucks and Islanders face off Monday night at 7:00 p.m. PT. You can catch the action on Sportsnet or tune into Brendan Batchelor’s call on Sportsnet 650 and the Sportsnet Radio Network.
It’s a pivotal night in Vancouver-not just in the standings, but in the continued evolution of a team trying to find its stride in the heart of the season.