The Vancouver Canucks are right in the thick of an eight-game homestand, and next up on the schedule: a Tuesday night showdown with the San Jose Sharks. It’s the third meeting of the season between these two Pacific Division rivals, and if recent history is any indication, fans should buckle up for another nail-biter. Each of the last four matchups between Vancouver and San Jose has been decided by a single goal - the kind of tight, grinding hockey that tests a team’s discipline and composure.
Canucks head coach Adam Foote has seen plenty to like from his group lately. The effort?
It’s there. The resilience?
Also there. But what he’s still pushing for is cleaner execution - fewer mistakes, and a better mental response when those mistakes do happen.
“We’ve just got to not get frustrated when it’s 0-0, or 1-0 for a long time,” Foote said. “When we have a mistake, just hang in there and play.”
That message speaks to a team still learning how to manage momentum swings - staying composed in low-scoring battles and not letting one breakdown snowball into something bigger. It’s a mindset that becomes even more critical as the playoff race tightens.
Roster Moves: Boeser, Buium Out; Mancini, Lekkerimäki In
The Canucks announced a couple of notable roster changes ahead of Tuesday’s game. Brock Boeser and Zeev Buium have both been placed on Injured Reserve, retroactive to January 25. In response, Vancouver has called up defenseman Victor Mancini and forward Jonathan Lekkerimäki from Abbotsford.
Boeser’s absence leaves a scoring hole - he’s been one of Vancouver’s most consistent offensive threats this season. Buium, meanwhile, had been carving out a bigger role on the back end. Their replacements bring different skill sets: Mancini adds a physical, stay-at-home presence on the blue line, while Lekkerimäki brings offensive upside and a shooter’s mentality that could help spark the power play.
Scouting the Sharks
San Jose enters the night sitting at 26-21-3, clinging to the final Wild Card spot in the Pacific Division. This game kicks off a crucial five-game road swing for the Sharks, who will head through Alberta before stops in Chicago and Colorado ahead of the Olympic break.
Up front, the Sharks have been powered by rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini. With 26 goals and 74 points already this season, he’s not just leading the team - he’s fourth in the entire NHL in scoring.
Celebrini’s blend of speed, vision, and finishing touch has made him a nightmare to defend, and he’s been especially effective when paired with fellow young gun Will Smith. That duo has logged over 423 minutes together at five-on-five, outscoring opponents 25-13 in that stretch.
When they’re on the ice, good things tend to happen for San Jose.
But while the Sharks can score, they’ve also had their struggles defensively. San Jose is one of just three teams in the league allowing more than 30 shots per game (30.5, to be exact), and that puts a lot of pressure on their goaltending.
Yaroslav Askarov has carried the bulk of the load in net, starting 31 of the team’s 50 games. His numbers - a 16-13-1 record with an .889 save percentage and a 3.51 goals-against average - reflect the high-volume workload he’s facing.
Still, he’s managed to keep the Sharks competitive, especially in tight games. Case in point: San Jose is a perfect 6-0 in overtime games on the road this season.
That’s a stat that speaks to poise under pressure.
The Teddy Blueger Effect
One of the more encouraging developments for Vancouver recently has been the return of Teddy Blueger. After missing time, he’s slotted right back into the lineup over the last three games and hasn’t missed a beat. He’s averaging over 16 minutes a night since coming back and has quietly put together a two-game point streak - including a shorthanded goal on Friday that showcased his two-way instincts.
Blueger’s return gives the Canucks a reliable presence in the middle of the ice, particularly on the penalty kill and in defensive-zone starts. He’s the kind of player who might not always show up on the scoresheet, but his impact is felt in the little moments - a smart stick in the neutral zone, a key faceoff win, a well-timed backcheck. And when he chips in offensively, like he has lately, it’s a bonus that can swing a game.
What to Watch Tuesday Night
With both teams jockeying for playoff positioning, expect a playoff-style intensity. For Vancouver, it’s about tightening up the details - limiting turnovers, staying mentally sharp, and responding to adversity the right way. For San Jose, it’s about riding the momentum of their top line and weathering the Canucks’ pressure in a hostile building.
The Canucks will be looking to make the most of home ice, especially with a few fresh faces in the lineup and key contributors sidelined. The Sharks, meanwhile, are trying to start their road trip on the right foot and keep pace in a crowded Western Conference race.
Puck drops Tuesday night in Vancouver. If recent history is any guide, don’t be surprised if it comes down to the final shift.