After 11 long, frustrating games without a win, the Vancouver Canucks finally broke through Wednesday night - and they didn’t just win, they earned it. Down 2-0 early against a dangerous Washington Capitals squad, the Canucks dug in, found their grit, and clawed back for a 4-3 comeback victory at Rogers Arena. It was the kind of game that reminds you why you don’t count a team out, no matter how rough the stretch has been.
This wasn’t just about two points in the standings. This was about pride, resilience, and the kind of team-wide response that can shift a season’s momentum. For a group that had managed just one home win since December 6, this felt like a much-needed exhale - a release of the pressure that had been building for weeks.
Let’s break down the key players and moments that helped Vancouver finally get back in the win column.
Brock Boeser: The Spark Plug
Brock Boeser came to play, plain and simple. With a goal and an assist, he was right in the middle of Vancouver’s first-period pushback after falling behind 2-0. His tally snapped a mini scoring slump, and more importantly, it helped set the tone for a team that needed someone to step up and say, “Enough is enough.”
Boeser’s not just contributing on the scoresheet - he’s doing the hard things, too. He’s chasing pucks, finishing checks, and playing with the kind of urgency that sets the standard for the rest of the lineup.
This was his second multi-point performance of January, and while the season hasn’t been easy - his minus-29 rating tells part of that story - his effort hasn’t wavered. Over 48 games, he’s put up 11 goals, 24 points, and continues to be a steady presence on the second line.
On Wednesday, his leadership showed up in all the right ways.
Kevin Lankinen: Holding the Fort
It wasn’t the smoothest start for Kevin Lankinen, who gave up two power-play goals in the first 10 minutes. But what mattered most was how he responded. From that point on, he was rock solid, stopping 29 of 32 shots and giving his team the breathing room they needed to mount a comeback.
Lankinen’s performance was about more than just saves - it was about settling the storm. His calm, composed play allowed the Canucks to take some chances offensively without worrying the game would slip away at the other end.
After a tough stretch that saw him post an .890 save percentage over six games, this was a timely bounce-back. Vancouver needed a backbone, and Lankinen delivered.
Drew O’Connor and Filip Hronek: Depth Delivers
The second period belonged to Drew O’Connor and Filip Hronek, who each found the back of the net to give Vancouver the lead - and, ultimately, the win.
O’Connor’s goal came off a slick feed from David Kampf, and it marked his second straight game with a goal after a nine-game drought. He’s not getting power-play minutes, but his five-on-five play is starting to shine, especially on the second line. He added two hits and finished plus-2 on the night - a solid, all-around effort.
Then there’s Hronek, who jumped into the rush on a 2-on-1 and buried what turned out to be the game-winner. It was a textbook example of a defenseman reading the play, joining the attack at the right time, and making it count. His offensive instincts have always been there, but this was a reminder of how a well-timed push from the back end can change a game.
Together, O’Connor and Hronek showed that this team’s success doesn’t rest solely on the top line. When the depth players are making an impact, that’s when you know a team is trending in the right direction.
What’s Next?
Snapping an 11-game skid is a relief, no doubt. But now comes the real test: can the Canucks build on it?
They’ll face the New Jersey Devils on Friday, and the challenge will be to bring the same energy, discipline, and execution they showed against Washington. The pieces are there - Boeser’s leadership, Lankinen’s steadiness, O’Connor and Hronek stepping up - but consistency has to follow.
Momentum in January is a fragile thing. One win doesn’t fix everything, but it can be the spark. If Vancouver can bottle up what worked on Wednesday and carry it forward, this could be the turning point they’ve been waiting for.