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Instant Reaction: Canucks’ big first period helps secure first road win of 2026 vs. Blackhawks
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Photo credit: © Matt Marton-Imagn Images
David Quadrelli
Mar 6, 2026, 23:15 ESTUpdated: Mar 6, 2026, 23:17 EST
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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!

Starting Lineup

First Period

The Blackhawks wasted little time in getting the scoring festivities started, as Ryan Donato dumped a puck in past Tom Willander and took the inside lane on the Canucks’ rookie defenceman before making a move to his backhand and beating Nikita Tolopilo.
1-0 Hawks.
It didn’t take long for the Canucks to answer, as leading scorer Drew O’Connor got to the net and redirected a hard pass from Tom Willander into the back of the net.
1-1.
The goals kept coming, as Jake DeBrusk scored just moments later, deflecting a Zeev Buium wrister from the point under Anton Soderblom’s blocker.
2-1 Canucks.
It was early, and the Canucks young defencemen were making an impact offensively. It was certainly a strong start for the visitors.
The presumably soon-to-be-extended Teddy Blueger made like O’Connor and went to the net, and what happens when you go to the net, kids? Good things happen.
3-1. 
This game was quickly looking like it was going to be yet another high-scoring affair, as with eight minutes left in the first period, Ilya Mikheyev received a pass from Oliver Moore and quickly snapped his shot home.
3-2.
With just over five minutes remaining in the period, Aatu Räty took the game’s first penalty, giving the Chicago power play its first chance of the game to go to work. The Canucks’ power play did a good job of breaking up Chicago’s rhythm, and the Blackhawks never really got set up.
Shortly after the kill, with 1:30 left in the opening frame, Zeev Buium got his stick in the midsection of a Chicago forward and was called for hooking. That power play was short lived, as 31 seconds into it, Sam Rinzel tripped up Brock Boeser and moved things to 4-on-4.
All in all, it was an entertaining period, and a good one for the Canucks.

Second Period

In the second, both teams tightened things up, but the Hawks were starting to mount some pressure on the Canucks. By the halfway point of the frame, the Hawks were outshooting the Canucks 6-1.
Chicago got yet another power play chance, and I must say, it was nice to see Aatu Räty winning his draws and doing what’s being asked of him. Even if he immediately went to the bench for a line change, it’s baby steps. Anything beats being a healthy scratch, right?
Really, the second frame was dominated by penalties. Here’s the summary:
In the final minute of the period, Frank Nazar tied this game up:

Third Period

With the two teams tied at three, the power plays kept coming in the third. Just a few minutes into the third, Alex Vlasic high-sticked Elias Pettersson, sending the Canucks back to the man advantage. Pettersson had a prime chance to score on the power play after Jake DeBrusk shook loose and slid the puck over to him, but Soderblom somehow kept the puck out.
Brock Boeser made good on his chance, though, batting the puck out of the air as if it were a middle-middle meatball from Michael Wacha.
4-3 Canucks.
The Canucks were in protect mode, and the Blackhawks were hunting for the tying goal. They appeared to get it with five minutes remaining, but the referee immediately — and correctly — waved the goal off as he determined that Landon Slaggert kicked the puck in.
With just over two minutes remaining, Chicago pulled their goaltender in search of the tying goal. And that of course, is a dangerous game to play when Max Sasson is on the ice. Sasson chipped a puck up the wall and used his wheels to get to the puck first and score the dagger.
5-3. 
Brock Boeser added another empty netter, too!
6-3 final.
Canucks’ first road win of 2026.
Some takeaways from tonight:
-What a night for Aatu Räty in the faceoff circle. He’s spent more than enough time in the press box. Time to give him a run of games down the stretch.
-Nikita Tolopilo continues to impress. The level of athleticism he possesses at his size is downright remarkable.
-Solid game for Max Sasson. Nice to see it was him who got the empty net goal.
-Another strong effort from the group. Like Tom Willander said the other night, it’s nice when guys are trying out there.
What’s your instant reaction to tonight’s game? Let us know in the comments section below!
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