Welcome back to Instant Reaction, the series here at CanucksArmy where we give you our instant reaction to tonight’s Vancouver Canucks game and ask our readers to do the same in the comments section below!
The Canucks got an early power play opportunity, but struggled to get anything towards the net. San Jose did well to keep the Canucks’ power play movements to the outside.
The Sharks got the game’s next power play, and the next one too, as they had a 5-on-3 following a Carson Soucy holding call, followed shortly after by a Derek Forbort tripping penalty.
William Eklund, who was trucked by Tyler Myers moments earlier, gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead. 
Actually, let’s watch that Myers hit, because it mattered later in the period:
Quinn Hughes, who was a gametime decision for this one, didn’t take long to make his mark on this game, as he wheeled into the zone and fed Brock Boeser at the net front to make it 1-1. 
After the goal, Barclay Goodrow dropped the gloves with Tyler Myers for his earlier hit on William Eklund. Head on over to HockeyFights.com to watch it!
The Canucks got one final power play chance before the end of the period, and the best chance came from Elias Pettersson setting up JT Miller for a prime chance that Miller put over the net.
In the second, we got another fight, as Danton Heinen came to the defence of his linemate Teddy Blueger after Ty Dellandrea threw a big hit on Blueger when Blueger didn’t even have the puck. He was called for two minutes for interference, and Heinen was called for instigating.
This game had some serious chippiness to it, and while the play in the second was mostly sloppy from both sides, there was certainly more physicality than we’re used to seeing.
The Canucks got another power play opportunity in the second, which really highlighted just how much the Canucks are struggling to get into the middle of the ice with their power play. The bumper play just isn’t even a treat anymore, and they’re becoming too predictable. I mean, the PP is basically, pass it around, and hope Quinn Hughes does something great. I suppose that’s the Canucks’ strategy in all situations these days.
The two sides were all tied up down the stretch of the second period, and it was Kiefer Sherwood that opened up the floodgates to make it 2-1. 
Right after that, Elias Pettersson scored just his fifth 5v5 goal of the season to make it 3-1: 
Then the Canucks got a quick two man advantage, and we got to see something we haven’t seen from Pettersson in a while — staring down a goaltender and cleanly beating him with a wrist shot.
4-1 Canucks. 
Four unanswered goals from the Canucks following the Sharks’ opening power play goal. A three goal lead heading into the third.
After 40 minutes, Quinn Hughes had already logged 19:53 of ice time and had two assists to his name. Not bad for a game-time decision.
In the third, Cody Ceci scored a goal after Noah Juulsen tipped his point shot through Demko’s five-hole to make it 4-2. 
The shots were 8-0 Sharks early in the third, as the Canucks seemingly tried to make it as hard on themselves as possible.
It wasn’t all that hard in the end, however, as they went on to win by a final score of 4-3 following a goal with four seconds left when San Jose had their goalie pulled.
The story of the third was that Elias Pettersson played just one 45 second shift before leaving for the period. The only thing that appeared to happen was an innocent-looking fall that he hopped right back up from.
Let’s hope he’s alright.
Some other takeaways from tonight:
-The Amazon Prime broadcasts have been great all season, especially from a visual perspective. Tonight was no different, and I saw many people who were surprised by the picture quality.
-This might be the best we’ve seen Vinny Desharnais play as a Canuck. Have liked what I’ve seen the past few games, and he made a big play to break up a 2-on-1 late in the first period.
-Pettersson’s first two goal game since March 19th.
-The fastest two goals of Pettersson’s career, just 44 seconds apart.
-It’s a good thing Quinn Hughes decided to play tonight.
-Liked Thatcher Demko’s game tonight. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get the game against Seattle on the 28th, too.
-Finally, Merry Christmas Canucks fans! Thank you for reading CanucksArmy and for all your interaction with us and our content. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. We have articles scheduled for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day, and I look forward to interacting with you all and getting right back to it after the break!
What’s your instant reaction to tonight’s game? Let us know in the comments section below!
And be sure to tune into Rink Wide Vancouver LIVE on YouTube just moments after the final horn!
Sponsored by bet365