Cost of Coming Close: Canucks Show Heart, Miss Finish
The Vancouver Canucks kicked off their eight-game home stand Monday night at Rogers Arena with a 2-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators. On paper, the result stings, but if you were watching closely, you’d notice Vancouver played one of their better games in weeks. The team battled hard, kept pace with a streaking Ottawa team, and arguably should have come away with at least one goal. It just didn’t happen. Ottawa goalie James Reimer was sharp, stopping all 16 shots for his first shutout of the season, while Kevin Lankinen gave the Canucks a chance to stay in the game, stopping 22 of 23 shots and keeping the score respectable.
The game wasn’t flashy or filled with highlight-reel goals, but from a process perspective, Vancouver looked disciplined and engaged. The Canucks struggled to generate offence and were unlucky on a few critical plays, including the Senators’ opening goal off a deflection that hit Shane Pinto’s glove before Ridly Greig scored. Vancouver challenged the play, but the review upheld the call, leaving the team still searching for that elusive first goal.
Two Key Players for the Canucks? Kevin Lankinen and Zeev Buium
Kevin Lankinen was easily Vancouver’s standout player. The veteran goalie made some critical saves down the stretch, stopping all six shots he faced in the third period and keeping Vancouver within striking distance. Without his effort, the game could have been far uglier.
On the other end of the ice, defenseman Zeev Buium also played well. Logging over 20 minutes, Buium notched two shots on goal while showcasing his speed and ability to move the puck cleanly into the offensive zone. After the game, he emphasized the team’s effort.
What’s Next for Vancouver?
The truth is that I like this Canucks team. Even in defeat, there’s a lot to admire. Players like Lankinen, Hronek, and Buium skated hard, competed on every shift, and refused to quit. The scoreboard didn’t reflect it, but the effort was real—and in a long season, that kind of tenacity can be the foundation for something bigger. The Canucks may not have scored, but they showed glimpses of what this group can be when they play with heart.
For now, it’s back to the rink to work on finishing chances, tightening up plays in front of the net, and finding a spark. The effort is there. The results just need to catch up.