The Vancouver Canucks leaned on structure, grit, and a rock-solid performance in net to blank the Anaheim Ducks 2-0 at Rogers Arena - a win that didn’t come easy, but showed all the signs of a team locking into its identity.
It took until late in the game for the Canucks to break through on the scoreboard, but by then, they’d already laid the groundwork with a connected, dialed-in defensive effort. Head coach Adam Foote praised the team’s simplicity and cohesion, especially in their own zone - a key factor in shutting down a Ducks squad that thrives off the rush.
“We were a lot faster getting back for pucks, layered better defensively, and we didn’t give them much in the slot or behind the net,” Foote said postgame. “You could see the confidence grow as the game went on. Our forecheck looked more like what it was a few weeks back - aggressive, organized, and with a strong F3.”
And that F3 pressure - the high forward in the offensive zone - played a big role in neutralizing Anaheim’s transition game. Even with the Ducks missing some key pieces, they’re still dangerous on the rush. But Vancouver’s forwards were disciplined, and the defensive layers held strong.
Between the pipes, Nikita Tolopilo was nothing short of outstanding. The 24-year-old netminder stopped all 32 shots he faced, earning the shutout despite a brief scare at the end of the first period when he was run into and had to leave for concussion protocol. Kevin Lankinen stepped in for just over two minutes, stopping the only shot he saw, but Tolopilo returned to finish what he started.
“I just tried to keep it simple and stick to my structure,” Tolopilo said. “Every game is important. I’m just happy we got the win, and hopefully we can keep building on that.”
The Canucks’ social media team handed Tolopilo the symbolic “axe” postgame - a nod to his warrior-like effort in net. And he earned every bit of it.
Up front, Drew O’Connor delivered the go-ahead goal, finishing off a crisp passing sequence that started with Aatu Räty pushing the pace through the neutral zone. Räty dished it to Jake DeBrusk, who found O’Connor in the slot for a quick-release slapper that beat Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal glove-side.
“Just a great play by Jake,” O’Connor said. “I wanted to get it off quick. Sometimes when the goalie’s sliding over, that’s your best shot - just get it off fast.”
The assist was a fitting moment for DeBrusk, who quietly hit a major milestone with his 600th NHL game. The veteran winger reflected on the journey postgame - not in a self-congratulatory way, but with a sense of gratitude.
“You don’t really think about it when you’re in it,” DeBrusk said. “But it does force you to look back a bit.
I never would’ve thought at 18 that I’d get here. I’m grateful for all the ups and downs - and it’s nice to celebrate it with a win.
Hopefully I can squeak out 600 more.”
With Anaheim pressing late and pulling Dostal for an extra attacker, the Ducks had a 6-on-4 advantage and were threatening to tie it. But Vancouver held firm, and when the puck found its way to Teddy Blueger, he didn’t hesitate. From deep in his own zone, Blueger ripped a shot into the empty cage to seal the win with just 48.5 seconds left on the clock.
That goal was the exclamation point on a night where the Canucks didn’t just win - they earned it with structure, discipline, and timely execution.
Next up, Vancouver wraps up its eight-game homestand on Saturday with a matinee tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Puck drops at 4:00 p.m. PT, and if the Canucks bring the same defensive focus and goaltending presence, they’ll be in good shape against one of the league’s most potent offenses.