The Vancouver Canucks secured a 3-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in front of an estimated crowd of 18,175, marking their third consecutive win and completing a sweep of their 3-game road trip. Goals from Quinn Hughes, Phillip Di Giuseppe, and Conor Garland propelled the Canucks to success, showcasing their strong defensive game, which has only allowed 3 goals against during the trip. Despite the Golden Knights' recent addition of two new trade pieces and a record of 22-22-6 in their last 50 games, they suffered their fourth straight loss and seventh in the last eight games, falling to the second wild card spot in the West with 19 games to play and the trade deadline looming in 14 hours. The Canucks' performance on this road trip has been highlighted as a demonstration of their capability as a Western Conference contender, even without further lineup additions, now just 1 point out of 1st place.
If playoffs started today, VAN would be playing VGK in the 1st round, with VAN having home ice. Because they don’t start today, it would be crazy (and hilarious) if the Flames/Kraken made this a race with a Golden Knights team currently riding the NHL’s longest losing streak.
The Canucks may have lost ground to their key rivals at the trade deadline, but the team remains confident it has the pieces to compete with anyone in the playoffs. (@imacSportsnet) #NHLTradeDeadline | @bet365ca https://t.co/qxkAw5xnU6
Vegas adds another big piece at the death, and the Canucks stand pat on deadline day. The road through the Pacific division bracket of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be ... difficult.
Canucks sweep their 3 game road trip after out duelling the Knights in Vegas. Post game show podcast is available: https://t.co/KeEDFgpmOE https://t.co/KOHRwHTkOF
The Canucks' sweep of this three-game road trip demonstrated that even without further lineup additions, this is a formidable team when it plays with discipline and commitment to Rick Tocchet's system. @imacSportsnet has more takeaways. https://t.co/Au6fqRhO37
#Canucks hit the jackpot in Vegas with 3-1 win to complete 3-game sweep of road trip. @irfgaffar joins me to discuss one of Canucks most complete efforts in weeks. We talk Hughes, Garland, Lindholm & PDG. Hear from Tocchet & Demko https://t.co/LBtCdXUBXn
Quinn Hughes, Phillip Di Giuseppe, and Conor Garland each scored goals as the Vancouver Canucks handed the struggling Knights a 3-1 loss Thursday night. https://t.co/uDyChkCKlF
#Canucks are 4-1-1 since 4-game losing streak. Also of note, no back to backs or heavy travel during latest six game stretch. Now home for 9 with first two teams WPG & COL playing elsewhere the night before visiting Vancouver
The Golden Knights have dropped to the second wild card in the West with 19 games to play. Six points ahead of Calgary, Seattle and St. Louis. They were in second place in the Pacific one month ago today.
New pair of players can't lift Golden Knights past struggles in 3-1 loss to Vancouver https://t.co/Wsf8NLlXkJ
The Golden Knights dropped their fourth consecutive game, as the Canucks rolled to victory Thursday at T-Mobile Arena in the debut of two highly touted newcomers. https://t.co/Y2in6jw3Br
Canucks sweep the 3 game road trip, only allow 3 goals against. 1 point out of 1st place over-all. Maybe just bargain shopping - depth players at the deadline tomorrow or maybe more, time will tell. Extra 30 minutes @DonnieandDhali tomorrow. Trade deadline special.
A perfect road trip for Canucks. They returned to form and showed us that once again their defensive game as a team is what makes them a true Western Conference contender.
Final, 3-1 Vancouver. It’s just not going right for the Golden Knights right now. I’m going to get chirped for this, but in terms of recent play, this was much better. Not good enough to beat this version of the Canucks. But something to build on. Hopefully.
What do you think of the Canucks sweeping their 3 game road trip? https://t.co/J95yZ0LZ40
#Canucks defensive game has become a weapon. And it has never looked better than it did on this road trip.
Final- Vancouver 3, Vegas 1 The Golden Knights lose for the 9th time in 11 games. With Calgary’s win earlier today, the Flames are 6 points back of VGK for the final wildcard spot with 1 game in hand (as are the Kraken).
Final: Canucks 3, Golden Knights 1 Fourth straight loss, seventh in the last eight. Trade deadline is in 14 hours.
Looked at moments in the second like VGK might swamp VAN and get back in this one. #Canucks pushed back and are generating some glorious rebounds, attacking sharply against the grain. Big Vancouver lead heading into the third, with a perfect pre-deadline trip on the line.
End of the second, 3-1 Vancouver. It feels like deja vu. Vegas had a push. Gained some momentum. But a late goal erases all that work.
End of 2: Canucks 3, Golden Knights 1 Once again, they took steps in the right direction. One mistake costs them. That's been a constant theme. Shots are 31-18 Vancouver.
Great hands by Lindholm to play that puck clean to keep it onside, and all out hustle by Garland
Morelli with the defensive-zone turnover, picked off by Lindholm, and Conor Garland finishes the rebound. 3-1 Vancouver.
Conor Garland. 3-1 Vancouver. Failed zone exit leads to trouble. Lindholm gets the initial shot. Adin thought he had it, he didn’t. Garland puts home the rebound.
Big period for the #Canucks. Vancouver outworked and overwhelmed Vegas for the first 15 minutes, Demko looked sharp to ensure the frame ended with a multi-goal lead. Who needs a big deadline addition (plz ignore that VAN already has a premium rental in their lineup)?
The Vegas Golden Knights are in an early hole to the Vancouver Canucks. They trail by two after the first period. https://t.co/BHZNnLBscw https://t.co/trBQYZkoj2
Vancouver has out shot the VGK 14-4 with 5:24 left In the first period. #VegasBorn
#Canucks winning just about every 50/50 battle and up 2-0. Golden Knights have been reeling for a while and look full value for their recent mid form early on in this one.
Monster crowd tonight for VGK vs Vancouver -- eyeball guestimate looking at 18,175. Just a guess. Knights looking sluggish with 1 shot on goal through first 9 minutes and Canucks leading, 2-0, on goals by Quinn Hughes and Phillip Di Guiseppe. https://t.co/lv68nM5ssy
Down right terrible defending from the Knights there. Phillip Di Giuseppe 5-holes Adin Hill. Another poor start for the VGK 2-0 Canucks #VegasBorn
since 11-0-1 start, Vegas just 22-22-6 in its last 50 games. Still a handful on home ice. Plus debuts of two new trade pieces. Game preview here ahead of first of three remaining meetings between #Canucks and Golden Knights https://t.co/KS9UYhaYdN
Vancouver Canucks game day: Looking to make it three straight with a win in Vegas https://t.co/WnGkdVZPV4
Canucks Game Day: What happened in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas with better back end https://t.co/y16OQWEYkK https://t.co/CY4KopeLIP