Canucks vs. Capitals: Blueger Returns, Ovechkin Eyes Another Milestone on Pride Night in Vancouver
The Vancouver Canucks are back at Rogers Arena tonight, hosting Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in what marks the team’s annual Pride Night-a celebration of inclusivity and diversity in the sport. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. PT, and while the festivities off the ice are meaningful, the Canucks will be focused on snapping a brutal 11-game losing skid that’s tested the group’s resolve.
Let’s break down what’s happening on the ice tonight, starting with some long-awaited reinforcements.
Teddy Blueger Returns
After missing 43 games with an injury suffered back on October 19th-ironically, in Washington-Teddy Blueger is finally back in the lineup. The veteran center will skate between Conor Garland and Liam Öhgren, providing some much-needed experience and structure down the middle. To make room, Aatu Räty will sit this one out.
Blueger’s return isn’t just a feel-good story-it’s a potential stabilizer for a team that’s been reeling. The Canucks have lacked consistency in their bottom six, and Blueger’s defensive awareness and veteran poise could help calm things down, especially against a Capitals team that still has plenty of offensive firepower.
Youth on the Blue Line Continues
Vancouver will once again roll with its trio of young defensemen, continuing to lean into development during a tough stretch. That means P-O Joseph remains a healthy scratch. It’s a bold strategy, but one that signals the Canucks are committed to giving their prospects ice time-even in the face of mounting losses.
Lankinen Gets the Nod in Net
Kevin Lankinen will start between the pipes tonight. He’s coming off a 4-3 loss to the Islanders on Monday, where he stopped 29 of 33 shots. That marked Vancouver’s 11th straight loss-now a franchise record-with the last eight coming in regulation.
Despite the result, Lankinen’s performance wasn’t without positives. He made several key saves to keep the game within reach, but the team in front of him couldn’t close it out. The Canucks will need a cleaner defensive effort tonight if they want to give Lankinen a shot at his first win in over a month.
Early Spark, But No Finish
There’s been a recurring theme during this losing streak: fast starts followed by frustrating finishes. On Monday, Max Sasson scored just 2:49 into the game, his second goal on home ice this season. Evander Kane also found the back of the net, but the Canucks couldn’t hold the lead.
That quick-strike ability isn’t new-Vancouver has now scored within the first five minutes of a game 11 times this season. The earliest?
A goal just 59 seconds in by Elias Pettersson-also against Washington. But the challenge remains turning those early goals into full 60-minute efforts.
The Canucks haven’t won at home since December 6th. Tonight would be a good time to change that.
Scouting the Capitals
Washington rolls into Vancouver after a 5-2 loss in Colorado on Monday, a game where they were heavily outshot 44-24, including a lopsided 17-3 third period. Jakob Chychrun and Ethan Frank tallied goals, while Charlie Lindgren stopped 39 shots in a losing effort.
The Capitals have now dropped three straight and four of their last five, managing only two goals in regulation in each of those contests. Still, they’re hovering just three points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and with Tom Wilson expected back from a nine-game absence, they’re hoping to get a jolt in the lineup.
Wilson leads the team in goals (22) and is tied with Ovechkin for the team lead in points (42). His return brings not just scoring but a physical edge that Washington has sorely missed.
Speaking of Ovechkin, the 40-year-old continues to defy time. With 20 goals on the year, he’s now hit the 20-goal mark in all 21 of his NHL seasons.
That’s not just consistency-it’s historic. Against the Canucks, he’s been just as dangerous, with 16 goals and 27 points in 29 career games.
Jakob Chychrun is also worth watching. The offensive-minded defenseman has 18 goals, tied with Zack Werenski for the league lead among blueliners. He’s just two away from matching his career-best, which he set last year.
Another name to keep an eye on: Justin Sourdif. The former Vancouver Giant is enjoying a breakout campaign with nine goals and 10 assists in 46 games. The Richmond native will be playing in front of plenty of familiar faces tonight.
In net, Logan Thompson gets the start. The Canadian Olympian brings a solid 17-14-4 record, a 2.38 goals-against average, and a .914 save percentage into the game.
Notable Numbers and Nuggets
- When these teams last met on October 19th, the Canucks jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held on for a 4-3 win. That game marked Vancouver’s third straight victory and improved their early-season record to 4-2. But it also came at a cost-Blueger, Filip Chytil, and Jonathan Lekkerimaki all left with injuries that night.
- Both clubs have gotten strong contributions from their rookie classes this season. The Capitals rank fourth in the NHL in rookie points (48), while the Canucks are tied for fifth with Anaheim (46). It’s a testament to the youth movement happening on both sides.
- The officials for tonight’s game are TJ Luxmore and Riley Brace.
What They’re Saying
Adam Foote on Teddy Blueger’s return:
“Yeah, it’s always nice to see a guy like that come back.
He seems like he’s got the zip. And even his demeanour this time, compared to last time, there’s definitely no doubt he thinks he’s ready.
It’s nice to see him smiling out there.”
Foote on his message to the team after Monday’s loss:
“It’s not just the vets, it’s all of them.
They’re going to respond. They’ve been playing hard.
One mistake can’t throw us off. Tonight-just go out and play and control what we can control.”
The Canucks are searching for answers, and they’re hoping tonight is the night they find one. With Blueger back, the young defense corps gaining experience, and the home crowd behind them on a meaningful night, Vancouver has a chance to right the ship-even against a Capitals team led by one of the greatest to ever lace them up.
The streak has been long. The losses have stung.
But every turnaround starts with one win. Let’s see if tonight is that night.