The Vancouver Canucks continued their strong season on Thursday night with a commanding 4-0 victory over the Florida Panthers at Rogers Arena. Goalie Kevin Lankinen delivered an outstanding performance, stopping all 27 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season and the sixth of his NHL career.
The Canucks wasted no time taking control of the game. Defenseman Carson Soucy opened the scoring in the first period, quickly followed by Danton Heinen, giving Vancouver a 2-0 lead before the Panthers could settle in. Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser added goals later in the game to seal the win.
The Canucks’ offense was powered by excellent playmaking, with Max Sasson, Teddy Blueger, Quinn Hughes, and J.T. Miller each contributing two assists.
Despite being outshot 27-19, Vancouver capitalized on its chances and relied on Lankinen to thwart Florida’s typically potent offense. The Panthers, ranked fifth in the league in goals per game (3.66) and power-play efficiency (27.4%), were blanked for the first time this season, struggling to convert on two man-advantages.
Lankinen’s best moment came midway through the second period during a Panthers power play. With Florida pressuring, Lankinen made a highlight-reel glove save on Sam Bennett’s shot to preserve the shutout.
The Canucks lineup got a much-needed boost with the return of forward J.T. Miller and defenseman Derek Forbort. Miller, who had missed nearly four weeks for personal reasons, made an immediate impact with two assists. Forbort’s presence on the blue line helped stabilize a defense that has faced numerous injuries this season.
Notably, All-Star goalie Thatcher Demko returned to action earlier this week, leaving defenseman Filip Hronek (lower body) as the lone Canucks player on injured reserve.
The loss snapped Florida’s seven-game point streak (6-0-1) and marked their first regulation defeat since November 25. Despite outshooting Vancouver, the Panthers committed 19 giveaways, a critical factor in their inability to generate sustained offense.
The Panthers will look to bounce back on Saturday night as they visit the Calgary Flames. Meanwhile, the Canucks will face a tough test when they host the Boston Bruins.
With this win, Vancouver continues to build momentum, solidifying its position as a serious contender in the Western Conference.
