Canucks Fall in Shootout to Maple Leafs, But Tolopilo Steals the Show
The Vancouver Canucks may have come up short in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but if you’re looking for a silver lining, look no further than Nikita Tolopilo. The rookie netminder turned in a performance that kept Vancouver in a game they were statistically outmatched in from start to finish.
Let’s break it down.
Leafs Dominate the Metrics, But Canucks Hang Around
This one was tilted heavily in Toronto’s favor when you dig into the numbers. The Maple Leafs generated 45 even-strength scoring chances to Vancouver’s 27, and they edged the Canucks in high-danger opportunities as well, 18-15. That kind of disparity usually spells trouble, but Tolopilo had other plans.
The 24-year-old goaltender was locked in, especially in the third period, where he stopped 17 of 18 shots. That final frame was essentially a shooting gallery for the Leafs, but Tolopilo stood tall, keeping Vancouver within striking distance and giving them a shot to steal points in the shootout.
For a team that was on its heels for much of the night, having a goalie who can weather that kind of storm is crucial. And for Tolopilo, this outing was another step forward in what’s quickly becoming a breakout campaign.
Jake DeBrusk: Quietly Impactful
While the scoreboard didn’t tilt in Vancouver’s favor, Jake DeBrusk quietly put together one of his strongest games in a Canucks sweater. In just over 17 minutes of even-strength ice time, Vancouver outshot Toronto 13-8 with DeBrusk on the ice, and the Canucks also held a 16-8 edge in scoring chances during those shifts.
That kind of on-ice impact shows up in the advanced numbers, too. DeBrusk posted an expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) of 65.35% - the best mark on the team. That tells us that when he was out there, the Canucks were controlling the quality of chances, even if the final result didn’t go their way.
It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t always make the highlight reels but makes a big difference in the flow of the game. DeBrusk’s ability to tilt the ice in his team’s favor is exactly what Vancouver needs as they continue to push through the grind of the season.
What’s Next: Road Trip Begins in Utah
Now, the Canucks hit the road for a two-game swing, starting Monday against the Utah Mammoth. Vancouver dropped their first meeting with Utah earlier this season in a 4-1 loss, and they’ll be looking to flip the script this time around.
Puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m. PT, and you can expect the Canucks to come out with something to prove - especially after a game where they were largely chasing the play but still managed to claw out a point.
If Tolopilo keeps trending up and players like DeBrusk continue to drive play, Vancouver could be a tough out down the stretch. This team has shown flashes of resilience, and while the numbers weren’t kind against Toronto, the effort - and goaltending - kept them in it.
Now it’s about turning that into results on the road.