logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Instant Reaction: Canucks score four straight goals to beat Stars 5-3 in impressive win
alt
Photo credit: © Chris Jones-Imagn Images
David Quadrelli
Oct 16, 2025, 22:35 EDTUpdated: Oct 16, 2025, 22:38 EDT
Comments
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

We had some new line combos to chew on for this one…

First Period

The Stars began the game with a good amount of pressure and got a couple of high-danger chances off on Thatcher Demko in a hurry. Thankfully, the Canucks’ netminder was up to the task:
Just under five minutes into the first, Elias Pettersson lost the faceoff, then deflected the centring pass through the slot past Thatcher Demko.
1-0 Stars. 
The Canucks responded well, with each line putting together a strong shift or two. In fact, the Canucks managed to stack shifts on the Stars on multiple occasions down the final stretch of the opening frame. However, that momentum essentially ended when Jake DeBrusk took a high-sticking penalty with 1:35 remaining to give the Stars the game’s first power play.
For the second straight game, the Canucks’ penalty kill gave up a goal. This one came off the rush, with Mikko Rantanen serving as the triggerman:
2-0 Stars. 
Some takeaways from the first:
-Liked the early returns on the kid line the Canucks have put together. That trio was so good for Abbotsford in the playoffs last season, and they should be able to be a solid energy fourth line, right?
-My cohost on Canucks Conversation, Harman Dayal, astutely pointed out that a big issue for the Canucks has been their puck management. They just haven’t possessed the puck very much. They’ve dumped the puck in then forgot to chase, they’ve made errant passes in the neutral zone, and have been doing a lot of chasing in the early parts of the season. That poor puck management was certainly evident at points in the first.

Second Period

The Canucks began the second by nearly scoring a goal!
And then they took a penalty. This time, it was Conor Garland for getting his stick in on Thomas Harley’s hands. Shortly after the penalty expired, Filip Chytil got on the board by coralling a flip pass from Evander Kane before moving in on Casey DeSmith and rifling the puck past the Dallas goaltender.
2-1. 
Then it was the Canucks’ turn to get to work on the power play. Truly, it was the best effort we’ve seen from the first power play unit all season long. Pettersson made a nifty move to quickly change his angle and move the puck into a high-danger area ahead of the goal, which came thanks to a shot from Quinn Hughes that Brock Boeser deflected home.
2-2.
Hey, that’s the Canucks’ star players being better if you ask me!
The goals kept coming, and this time it was Max Sasson who benefited from a sharp pass up the wall from Tyler Myers, moved in on a partial breakaway, and made no mistake in beating DeSmith to give the Canucks their first lead of the night.
3-2 Canucks. 
Truly, this was the Canucks’ best period of the season. And honestly? It was the team’s first “good” period since the third period effort they turned against Calgary in the home opener.
And it didn’t stop there, as Conor Garland pulled off a great move after a Dallas giveaway and slid the puck past DeSmith to push the Canucks’ lead to two.
4-2 Canucks.
Some takeaways from the second:
-Where has this kind of effort been?
-Hell of a period from Conor Garland. Scored the goal, but was also dragging everyone into the fight.
-With how well that Abbotsford line played, what are the other Abby Canucks from last year up to? Can any of them play centre? Read Blackfish to find out!

Third Period

The Canucks came out buzzing to start the third, but were quickly back to the PK after Aatu Räty was called for tripping on the tail end of a solid, hardworking shift. Once again, the Canucks’ PK was up to the task, and prevented the Stars from getting set up much at all.
The Canucks continued to give the trailing Stars problems, and looked flat-out unrecognizable from the team we’ve seen so far this year. Speaking of unrecognizable, the power play got another chance to go to work and once again looked dangerous. Not only did they manage to get set up — which has been a struggle this season — they executed a few set plays to perfection and nearly pushed their lead to three.
The Canucks continued to keep the Stars to the outside, but also didn’t allow themselves to fall back and let Dallas dictate the play. Tyler Myers wanted it to be a little more interesting, so took an interference penalty with just over two minutes remaining. Dallas pulled their goalie and got to work at 6-on-4. And unfortunately, it didn’t take them long to pull within one.
4-3.
With the Stars’ net empty once again, Elias Pettersson flipped the puck towards the empty net, but it went just wide. Conor Garland raced to the loose puck, and centred it to the net front, causing Miro Heiskanen to trip up Evander Kane, who had an open net in front of him. On the ensuing power play, the Canucks elected to play keep away and eventually, Casey DeSmith vacated his net to give the Stars an even number of skaters in their effort to get the puck back from the Canucks. Seeing this, Quinn Hughes let go of an absolute piss missile from his own end and hit the bullseye to put the icing on the cake with his first goal of the season.
5-3 final.
Although it was close in the end, this was an impressive showing for the Canucks. The first period really looked like it was going to be more of the same of what we’ve seen already this season: Poor decisions with the puck, somehow even worse decisions without the puck, and overall just bad play. But in the end, the Canucks got it done, and this was a great way for them to begin their road trip.
Some takeaways from the third:
-You know what? I really liked Tyler Myers’ game tonight. Dude was absolutely flying out there and was getting involved in the rush.
-This is Instant Reaction, so it’s out quickly and written during the game, but this is one I cannot wait to read more about in The Stanchies and later, The Statsies. I think I’ll have more to write about this one tomorrow.
-Thatcher Demko is on another level to start this season.
What’s your instant reaction to tonight’s game? Let us know in the comments section below!
Sponsored by bet365

Editorials

Breaking News