Sharks Stun Canucks Early, Celebrini Shines in Return Home
The Vancouver Canucks struck first Tuesday night, but it didn’t take long for the game to get away from them. San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini, playing in front of friends and family in his hometown, delivered a standout performance with a goal and three assists, sparking a first-period blitz that left the Canucks reeling. The Sharks scored three times in just over four minutes and never looked back, skating to a 5-2 win at Rogers Arena.
Tom Willander gave Vancouver a brief jolt of momentum with a long-range strike just 1:15 into the game during a four-on-four sequence. But that early hope was snuffed out almost instantly. Celebrini responded just 36 seconds later with his 27th of the season, and from there, the Sharks turned up the pressure.
Adam Gaudette, Tyler Toffoli, Will Smith, and John Klingberg each found the back of the net, with San Jose dictating the pace and capitalizing on Vancouver’s breakdowns. The Canucks, meanwhile, were left scrambling.
Kevin Lankinen’s night ended early-just 5:55 in, after allowing three goals on six shots. It wasn’t just about the numbers.
The Canucks were already on their heels, and Lankinen didn’t get much help in front of him. Nikita Tolopilo came in for relief and stopped 25 of 27, but the damage was already done.
Vancouver’s only bright spot came in the third period when Filip Hronek snapped a six-game power-play drought with a goal on the man advantage. It was too little, too late, especially with San Jose converting on two of their four power plays, including a five-on-three marker from Klingberg.
Let’s break down three key takeaways from a night that left the Canucks searching for answers.
Elias Pettersson: Quietly Carrying the Load
Elias Pettersson didn’t light up the scoresheet, but he’s doing the kind of work that doesn’t always show up in highlights. He added two assists, bringing his total to four over the last three games. More importantly, he chipped in with two hits and three blocked shots-numbers that speak to a player doing everything he can to steady a team that’s struggling to stay upright.
Pettersson now has 33 points through 45 games, including 11 on the power play. Those aren’t eye-popping totals for a player of his caliber, but there’s more to the story.
He leads all NHL forwards with 75 blocked shots, a stat that underscores just how committed he’s been defensively. For a player so often judged by his offensive output, that level of sacrifice tells you a lot about where his head is at.
Yes, the minus-15 rating jumps off the page, but context matters. Pettersson’s doing his job in a lineup that’s been hit hard by injuries and inconsistency.
While the Canucks try to find their footing, he’s been one of the few constants. The production may not be elite, but the effort and responsibility?
No question.
Kevin Lankinen’s Uphill Climb Just Got Steeper
Lankinen’s night was over before it really began-three goals on six shots and an early trip to the bench. It was a tough outing, but also a reflection of the bigger picture.
With Thatcher Demko out for the season following hip surgery, Lankinen has gone from backup to the guy. And right now, the runway is short and the turbulence is real.
He’s 1-7-1 in January, and his season numbers-7-17-4 with a 3.54 goals-against average and an .881 save percentage-paint a stark picture. But this isn’t just about goaltending. The Canucks are giving up high-danger chances early and often, and without Demko to bail them out, every mistake gets magnified.
Lankinen needs support. He needs a team that can keep things close long enough for him to settle in.
Right now, that’s not happening. And while the pressure mounts, the question becomes less about whether he can steal games and more about whether the Canucks can give him a fighting chance.
Filip Hronek: A Steady Hand Amid the Chaos
Hronek’s third-period power-play goal didn’t change the outcome, but it was a small win in a game that offered few. It snapped a six-game drought with the man advantage and gave the Canucks something to build on.
The 28-year-old defenseman finished the night with three shots, two hits, and two blocked shots. He went minus-2, but that’s more a reflection of the team’s overall struggles than his individual play. Over his last five games, Hronek has two goals and two assists, and he’s now sitting at five goals and 31 points through 53 games.
With Zeev Buium on injured reserve, Hronek is the undisputed quarterback of the top power-play unit. That role, combined with his steady five-on-five play, makes him one of Vancouver’s most reliable pieces right now. He’s logging heavy minutes, doing the little things right, and providing a level of consistency this team desperately needs.
Looking Ahead: A Test of Depth and Resilience
This is where the Canucks find out what they’re made of. With Demko out and other key players sidelined, the margin for error has vanished.
The wins may be hard to come by, but the effort can’t be. Lankinen will be leaned on more than ever, Pettersson will have to keep doing the dirty work, and Hronek will carry an even bigger load on special teams.
There’s no quick fix here-just a stretch of games that will test the team’s depth, resilience, and character. The Canucks don’t need perfection.
They need progress. A timely goal.
A big save. A kill at the right moment.
These are the building blocks for whatever comes next.
Because while the standings may not offer much hope, this stretch is about more than points. It’s about building something that can last.