Canucks vs. Sharks: Round Three Brings Familiar Faces, High Stakes
Tonight, the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks square off for the third time this season, and if the first two meetings were any indication, we’re in for another wild one. Vancouver dropped both earlier matchups - a tight 3-2 loss on the road back in late November, followed by a 6-3 defeat at home just after the holidays. Now, with the series shifting back to Rogers Arena, the Canucks are looking to flip the script and build momentum before the final meeting in April.
A Rivalry with Some History
This isn’t just another game on the schedule. Vancouver holds a historical edge over San Jose with a 72-58-9-7 all-time record, including a solid 34-27-4-5 mark at home.
Lately, the Canucks have had the upper hand, winning seven of their last 10 against the Sharks. That said, the last five games have been more of a split decision, with Vancouver going 3-2-0.
Familiar Foes, Familiar Faces
When it comes to facing San Jose, a few Canucks have made a habit of lighting the lamp - or at least filling the scoresheet.
Conor Garland has been a consistent thorn in the Sharks’ side. In 30 career games, he’s racked up 28 points (9 goals, 19 assists), making him Vancouver’s most productive active player against San Jose.
Elias Pettersson isn’t far behind. The Swedish center has quietly posted 23 points in 24 games against the Sharks, including eight goals.
Tyler Myers brings a veteran presence on the blue line, and while he’s not known for his offense, he’s chipped in 20 points (2-18-20) in 38 career games against San Jose. Jake DeBrusk has also found some success, tallying 12 points (7-5-12) in 15 games.
Between the Pipes
Vancouver’s goaltending options have some history with the Sharks as well. Kevin Lankinen has a 3-1-0 record in four career appearances versus San Jose, though his numbers - a 2.94 goals-against average and .893 save percentage - suggest it hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
Nikita Tolopilo, in a smaller sample size, has looked solid. In two career games against San Jose, he’s gone 1-1-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. If he gets the nod tonight, the Canucks may be banking on that recent form.
Young Guns Making Noise
Zeev Buium has quietly become one of the league’s most productive rookie defensemen. His 15 assists rank him tied for third among rookies at the position, and his 20 total points are good for fourth. He’s been a bright spot on the blue line and a player to watch as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, Drew O’Connor has carved out a niche as a shorthanded threat. With two shorties this season, he’s tied for eighth in the NHL in that category - not bad for a player who doesn’t always make headlines.
Last Time Out: Dec. 27 Recap
The last time these two teams met, it was a rollercoaster. San Jose jumped out early with goals from Ryan Reaves and John Klingberg in the first period. Linus Karlsson responded for Vancouver on the power play, thanks to helpers from Garland and Hronek.
The Sharks extended their lead with a second-period goal from William Eklund, but Marco Rossi gave the Canucks life early in the third, scoring his first goal in a Vancouver sweater. Garland and Hronek were once again involved on the assist.
San Jose answered quickly, though, with goals from Igor Chernyshov and Macklin Celebrini, the latter coming late in the third to seal the deal. Drew O’Connor added a shorthanded tally to make it interesting, but Collin Graf’s empty-netter put the game out of reach.
Vancouver did have some positives to build on. Kiefer Sherwood was active all night, leading the team with five shots and five hits. Tyler Myers was a force defensively, blocking four shots, and Thatcher Demko turned away 31 pucks in a busy night between the pipes.
What’s at Stake
With the season series still up for grabs and playoff positioning starting to take shape, tonight’s game carries more weight than your average midseason matchup. Vancouver has a chance to stop the bleeding against San Jose and reassert control before their final meeting in April.
Expect a high-energy tilt with plenty of storylines - from Garland and Pettersson’s continued dominance against the Sharks to the emergence of young talents like Buium and O’Connor. If recent history is any indication, we’re in for a game that’s fast, physical, and full of fireworks.