The Vancouver Canucks had a game within reach through two periods Sunday at Madison Square Garden. Then the third period arrived, and the New York Rangers blew it open.
Vancouver dropped a 6-2 decision as New York scored three times in the final frame to turn a one-goal edge after 40 minutes into a comfortable win. The Canucks were outshot 10-4 in the third and never found a way to answer the Rangers’ push.
Jake DeBrusk and defenceman Elias Pettersson supplied Vancouver’s goals. DeBrusk scored his third of the season, while Elias Pettersson added a shorthanded marker, the first shorthand goal of his career. Jonathan Lekkerimäki picked up an assist on DeBrusk’s goal, and Brendan Gallagher and Drew O’Connor were credited on Pettersson’s tally.
Kevin Lankinen had a rough night in net, allowing six goals on 25 shots for a .760 save percentage. It marked the third time this year he has given up six goals, and he was caught out of position several times as the Rangers kept finding openings.
New York struck first just 27 seconds into the game when Tye Kartye scored off feeds from J.T. Miller and Alexis Lafrenière.
DeBrusk tied it late in the opening period, but the Rangers kept coming. Will Cuylle put New York back ahead in the second, and Kartye struck again before the period ended to make it 3-2 after two.
That’s where the game still felt manageable for Vancouver. It didn’t stay that way for long.
Lafrenière opened the third with a power-play goal at 1:04, Gabe Perreault followed at 5:57, and Cuylle added another at 15:22 to seal it. Mika Zibanejad had assists on both of the first two goals in the period, while Adam Fox and Eeli Tolvanen were also part of New York’s scoring chances in the final frame.
For Vancouver, the night also included Guillaume Brisebois’ return to the NHL for the first time since January 11, 2025. The 29-year-old posted two shots, two hits, a blocked shot and a penalty. He had some tough moments defensively, but the return itself stood out after the injuries he has dealt with over the years.
The Canucks’ defensive structure was loose at times, and once the third period slipped away, there was no pushback. Manny Malhotra and his staff have plenty to sort through, especially with three games still left on the road trip.
A few other numbers from the loss stood out: Vancouver became the first team this year to allow 30 goals against, and the club has been outscored 17-5 through the first three games of this six-game trip. Elias Pettersson and Elias Pettersson led the Canucks with four hits each.
Up next, Vancouver visits the New York Islanders on October 13 at 4:45 pm PT.
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