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Instant Reaction: Quinn Hughes makes magic happen as Canucks beat Flames 8-1
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Photo credit: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
David Quadrelli
Oct 1, 2025, 23:45 EDTUpdated: Oct 1, 2025, 23:47 EDT
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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! 
We’re getting closer and closer to the end of the preseason, which, as always, has felt too long. With one game left after this one, both the Canucks and Flames rolled out lineups that looked pretty similar to the ones we’ll see when they open their regular seasons against each other on October 9th.

First Period

Elias Pettersson took a tripping penalty to give the Flames the first power play of the game, and it was there that we nearly saw the game’s first goal. But it’s not what you think! Kiefer Sherwood linked up with Drew O’Connor, who moved in on a breakaway with a prime chance to open the scoring:
The Canucks managed to kill off the penalty in its entirety, and it didn’t take much longer for Quinn Hughes to do something special. The Canucks’ captain sprung Brock Boeser in all alone on a breakaway, and Brocktober got off to a good start:
1-0 Canucks. 
This game opened up quite a bit from here, as the Canucks’ new aggressive style of play under Adam Foote with the defencemen pinching is naturally going to lead to more odd man rushes, and yes, breakaways. Jonathan Huberdeau found himself in all alone on a breakaway, but Kevin Lankinen made a big save to preserve the Canucks’ lead.
The Canucks got a power play chance of their own, and PP1 continues to look good. This time it was Elias Pettersson blasting home a one-timer to give the Canucks a two goal lead.
Oh, and Quinn Hughes already has two assists in this game, for those keeping track at home. The Canucks quickly pushed their lead to three when Tyler Myers blasted home an Arshdeep Bains faceoff win to make it 3-0. 
And before I could even finish writing about the Myers goal, *checks notes* Derek Forbort scored a *checks notes again* shorthanded goal to make it 4-0.
Well that was wild.
Some takeaways from the first:
-Really liking Adam Foote hockey so far.
-If you’re going to play a more aggressive style like the Canucks have been, I can’t think of a better goaltending tandem to serve as your last line of defence than Kevin Lankinen and Thatcher Demko.
-The Canucks did a great job of hounding the Flames’ D on the forecheck in the first 20 minutes. Their neutral zone pressure seemed to give Calgary plenty of issues as well.
-What route do you think is best for the 2025-26 Canucks Stanley Cup parade?

Second Period

The Flames scored early in the second after being blatantly offside on the zone entry:
But of course, there are no replay challenges in the preseason, and that allowed the Flames to get on the board:
The goals kept coming, as Max Sasson and Jake DeBrusk executed a nice give-and-go off the rush.
5-1. I don’t think Ivan Prosvetov is making the team. I mean, he might. The Flames’ backup job is between him and Devin Cooley. Tonight certainly wasn’t a good night for him though. Hopefully he gets the start on October 9th!
The game’s pace slowed down considerably in the second, but the Canucks got another power play chance that they once again made good on later in the second. This time it was Aatu Räty who found the back of the net for his second goal of the preseason.
6-1.
Joel Hanley slashed Elias Pettersson on a breakaway, resulting in a penalty shot. Pettersson pulled off the move he wanted to, but Devin Cooley made a great save to keep the Flames within five.
Some takeaways from the second:
-Dustin Wolf should’ve gotten more Hart Trophy consideration.
-The Canucks seem to be playing a more aggressive style on the penalty kill, and so far, I like it.

Third Period

On tonight’s broadcast, John Shorthouse talked about how he’s going to make more of an effort to appreciate what we see from Quinn Hughes. He certainly isn’t alone, either. It’s so easy to take what we see from Hughes for granted because he’s not only been one of the greatest, but one of the most consistent Canucks players we’ve ever seen.
Just moments after that comment from Shorthouse, Hughes gave us something to appreciate.
7-1. I appreciate Quinn Hughes.
The Canucks got plenty of power play opportunities tonight, and while some looked better than others, it was overall a good night for the power play personnel.
A scary moment occurred late in the third as Jonathan Huberdeau went awkwardly into the Vancouver goal post after taking a bump from Filip Hronek. After staying down for an extended period of time, Huberdeau managed to skate off on his own power, which was obviously a great sign.
Filip Hronek went off for holding as a result of the play, and Max Sasson scored his second goal of the game on the Calgary power play.
8-1 Canucks final.
Some takeaways from the third:
-Quinn Hughes is just unbelievable.
-Two goals for Max Sasson… nice.
-Solid game for Aatu Räty. Are we any closer to figuring out which forwards should be cut from this roster?
What’s your instant reaction to this game? Let us know in the comments section below!

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