The issue was finally settled in overtime when Kirill Kaprizov converted a cross-ice feed with a one-timer with 23.4 seconds left in overtime
Fire alarms went off during the warm-up skate Tuesday at the Xcel Energy Center.
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The rallying cry was a total team effort and no passengers.
It was just another example of a never-quit attitude.
The Canucks came in with the fewest first-period shots entering the finale of a revealing six-game, 11-day road trip where resilience and resolve became their calling cards. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that they were in it to win it and made another impressive impression.
It’s what made this 4-1-1 road trip and enviable 11-2-1 record away from Rogers Arena a true measure of being true road warriors.
Here’s what else we learned as the Canucks now return home to open a six-game home stand on Friday against Columbus:
DeBrusk big net-front menace
When the light bulb went on for the hulking winger to realize that goals are scored five feet from the net, he went to work.
After opening the season with no goals in nine games, the free-agent acquisition stopped freewheeling on the perimeter and set up shop where it matters. He has the size and strength to set screens and execute deft deflections, but his ability to pivot and find loose pucks to show off some soft hands has been rewarded in a big way.
He’s thriving because Pettersson is much more engaged. His two assists Tuesday upped his production to 10 points on the six-game trip (1-9), but his encouraging turnaround occurred weeks ago. When Pettersson started practising harder, it translated to his game presence and eight points (4-4) in six games before this latest sojourn out east. It was proof of the desire.
His 56th multi-point game Tuesday vaulted Pettersson into ninth place in franchise history.
“It’s like the whole team, having a game plan and working hard and staying in the moment,” said Tocchet. “He’s getting some points for us and that’s good.”
Lankinen deserves Four Nations nod
The Canucks starter has already etched his name in the league record books by going 10-0-0 on the road to start a season.
He surpassed Glenn Hall (1965-66) and Cam Talbot (2022-23) on Sunday, and if the Finnish committee needed a nudge to add Lankinen to its Fourth Nations tournament roster Wednesday — along with his former crease mate Juuse Saros and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen — he provided more evidence Tuesday with a 30-save effort.
The Wild held an 6-1 and 11-5 shot advantages in the first period and Lankinen was pressed early to get a right pad on a Marco Rossi deflection. He then got a glove on a hot Matthew Boldy shot before Hughes would strike for the opening goal on the power play.
It took a neutral-zone gaffe in the second period, after the Canucks had started well in the frame to control play, to finally get to Lankinen. Frederick Gaudreau was sprung on a 3-on-1 advantage and his quick snap shot to the glove side drew the Wild even. He then stopped Devin Shore off a turnover.
Early third-period pressure by the top Wild line allowed Jake Middleton to pouce on a loose puck and go blocker side to make it 2-2. But Lankinen then got his glove on a redirect chance by Ryan Hartman
There’s no place like home
After signing a three-year, entry-level contract on March 25, 2017, the Burnsville, Minn. native scored his first goal at 11:15 of the second period — depositing a Bo Horvat shot off the rush — to provide a 3-0 lead en route to a 4–2 win over the Wild. He had four shots, three hits and a takeaway in 12:44 as a precursor to what would become a dramatic rookie season.
On Nov. 4, 2017, Boeser had a hat trick to become the first Canucks player at the age of 20 or younger accomplish that feat since Trevor Linden on Dec. 20, 1990, as well as the third-youngest behind Linden and Tony Tanti.
On Tuesday, Boeser could have used a goal and had three glorious chances, including one on a third-period power play. He now has no goals in six games, and missing seven games to a concussion had the winger on the regroup to gather his game. It looked better Tuesday.
OVERTIME — Kiefer Sherwood had six hits to increase his league-leading total to 150 while Vincent Desharnais had five shot blocks.
