Quick Read
- Elias Pettersson played his 500th NHL game after returning from injury.
- Zeev Buium, Liam Öhgren, and Marco Rossi debuted at Rogers Arena for Vancouver.
- San Jose Sharks defeated the Canucks 6-3, with Macklin Celebrini scoring a goal and an assist.
- Elias Pettersson returned from injury for his milestone 500th NHL game.
- Three recently acquired Canucks—Zeev Buium, Liam Öhgren, and Marco Rossi—made their home debuts.
- The San Jose Sharks defeated the Vancouver Canucks 6-3, led by Macklin Celebrini’s two-point performance.
Saturday night at Rogers Arena felt like a crossroads for the Vancouver Canucks—a mixture of celebration, anticipation, and frustration. On one hand, fans got a long-awaited look at several new faces, with Zeev Buium, Liam Öhgren, and Marco Rossi all skating in front of the home crowd for the first time since their blockbuster arrival in the Quinn Hughes trade earlier this month. On the other, the team’s persistent struggles on home ice resurfaced, as the Canucks fell 6-3 to the visiting San Jose Sharks.
The spotlight shone brightest on Elias Pettersson, who returned after an eight-game absence due to an upper-body injury. Saturday marked his 500th regular-season NHL game—a milestone many players dream about, and one that Pettersson reached amid significant roster changes. His presence injected energy into Vancouver’s lineup, which had already been reshaped by the recent trade with Minnesota. The new-look Canucks started with a top line of Kane, Pettersson, and Sherwood, but the group still searched for chemistry as the game unfolded.
Thatcher Demko, Vancouver’s starting goaltender, came into the night with an undefeated record against the Sharks. But this time, his luck ran out. The Sharks, led by hometown hero Macklin Celebrini, found the net early and often. Celebrini, just 19 and on a tear with points in seven straight games, notched a goal and an assist—including a decisive one-timer in the third period for his 20th goal of the season. Igor Chernyshov, another rising rookie, scored his first NHL goal and added an assist, while Yaroslav Askarov was solid in net for San Jose, stopping 24 shots and helping snap a three-game losing streak for his team.
For the Canucks, there were flashes of promise. Marco Rossi, one of the team’s new acquisitions, scored his first goal in a Vancouver jersey—a bright spot in an otherwise tough night. Linus Karlsson found the net on the power play, and Drew O’Connor added a shorthanded tally. Conor Garland and Filip Hronek each pitched in with two assists, but the offensive bursts couldn’t make up for defensive lapses and missed opportunities.
The game also had its share of emotional moments. Vincent Iorio, a defenseman for the Sharks and a Coquitlam native, played in front of dozens of family and friends—calling the experience “surreal” and a “full circle moment.” For Vancouver, it was the first time since March 2019 that Quinn Hughes was absent from the roster, a stark reminder of how much the team has changed in just a few weeks.
Despite going 4-1-0 on their recent road trip, the Canucks continue to struggle at Rogers Arena, holding just four home wins this season (4-11-1). The disappointment was palpable post-game. “It’s not good enough,” Garland admitted bluntly, echoing the frustration of teammates and fans alike.
The match began with Ryan Reaves putting the Sharks ahead early, poking a loose puck past Demko—a goal Demko felt should have been challenged, arguing his blocker was pushed into the net. John Klingberg extended the lead with a point shot through traffic. Vancouver tried to rally, but the Sharks’ attack, powered by Celebrini’s speed and skill, kept them at arm’s length.
Looking ahead, the Canucks will need to regroup quickly. They travel to Seattle to face the Kraken on Monday, hoping to rediscover the form that fueled their pre-Christmas road success. The Sharks, meanwhile, will try to build on their momentum in Anaheim.
For Vancouver fans, Saturday’s game was a snapshot of transition—new beginnings, old frustrations, and the hope that the pieces will eventually fit. The blend of milestone moments and homegrown stories gave the night a narrative depth that went beyond the scoreboard.
Saturday’s loss underscored Vancouver’s ongoing home-ice woes but also highlighted the potential of the team’s new core. While chemistry will take time to develop, the Canucks’ ability to integrate talent midseason could be the key to reversing their fortunes. The next few games will reveal whether this roster shakeup is a turning point—or just another chapter in a season of growing pains. Sources: The Hockey News, ESPN, NHL.com