logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Instant Reaction: Canucks turn in strong effort, but lose 4-2 to Stars
alt
Photo credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images
David Quadrelli
Nov 21, 2025, 00:38 ESTUpdated: Nov 21, 2025, 00:39 EST
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

First Period

This one did not start the way the Canucks wanted. After an odd-man rush created from a puck bouncing off of Kiefer Sherwood in the neutral zone, the Stars were all over the puck after a rebound went off of a sprawled Kevin Lankinen. Lankinen tried to sweep the puck under his legs, which caused all sorts of problems and resulted in the Stars opening the scoring:
1-0 Stars. 
The Canucks didn’t take long to respond, with Linus Karlsson sniping one on Jake Oettinger to tie this one up in a hurry:
1-1. 
This game had great pace to it early on, and the Stars struck again as the red-hot Jason Robertson wristed one past Lankinen:
2-1 Stars.
The Canucks probably wanted to slow this game down a bit, if we’re being honest. They got a prime chance to tie this one up, as they got the first power play chance of the game. After some crisp passing and sharp movement, Elias Pettersson drove to the front of the net with the puck on his stick, and between him and Jake DeBrusk taking hacks at the puck, this one found the back of the net.
That originally looked like Jake DeBrusk’s 8th power play goal of the season, putting him in a tie with Wyatt Johnston for the NHL lead. After the period, however, the goal was given to Elias Pettersson. 2-2. 
Some takeaways from the first:
-It has been so refreshing to watch Elias Pettersson play hockey this month. He’s playing with confidence we haven’t seen from him in over a year, and the Canucks are better for it. Hopefully Pettersson can keep this up.
-Linus Karlsson is heating up… 3 points in his last four games.

Second Period

The Canucks got another power play opportunity early in the second, and once again, they looked dangerous. Pettersson was once again the focal point, and made a great pass to Kiefer Sherwood for a backdoor tap in, but Sherwood couldn’t make contact with the puck. The Canucks were all over the Stars after their power play chance, and it wasn’t long before Dallas took another penalty.
Once again, the Canucks’ power play was a treat to watch. Pettersson kept winning faceoffs, and the power play didn’t relinquish possession much. They got 1:20 of 5-on-3 time to work with, and while the Canucks’ power play once again looked dangerous, they didn’t turn that into a goal, and this game remained tied.
The Canucks kept up their pressure at 5v5, and managed to slow this game down a bit, just like they wanted. As noted above, the Stars didn’t get many shots off in the final half of the first period, and the Canucks continued that in the second.
Conor Garland made a phenomenal play through the neutral zone and pulled off a give-and-go with Brock Boeser, but couldn’t negotiate his shot. The puck made its way to Elias Pettersson, however, and Oettinger absolutely robbed Pettersson of what would have been his second goal of the game:
This game was still tied after 40 minutes of play.
Some takeaways from the second:
-The Stars iced the puck four times in a row and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.
-DPetey made some great defensive plays in this one. I’m noticing him and Tom Willander less and less, which is a good thing for two young defencemen.
-Entertaining game through 40 minutes!

Third Period

The Canucks got a fourth straight power play two minutes into the third after Tyler Myers pulled off a nifty little toe drag to the middle. Now, I know you might not believe me at this point, but the Canucks’ power play once again looked dangerous but didn’t score. This time, Jake Oettinger made one of the nicest saves of the season when he flashed out the right pad to rob Elias Pettersson:
The Canucks continued to be the better team, which naturally meant every Canucks fan was aware of the fact that they’d like give up the game’s next goal. Kevin Lankinen made some key saves to preserve the tie:
Drew O’Connor was called for holding, and the Stars’ power play tried to get a go-ahead goal. Lankinen was the Canucks’ best penalty killer, making some big stops:
Unfortunately, back at 5v5, a neutral zone breakdown led to a breakaway for Colin Blackwell, who made no mistake in beating Kevin Lankinen glove side.
3-2 Dallas.
With two minutes to go, as the Canucks were trying to pull Kevin Lankinen, Canuck killer Mikko Rantanen went up the ice and roofed a beauitful backhand to ice this one for the Stars. 4-2. 
My big takeaway from this one: This is potentially the best the Canucks individual game the Canucks have played all season. The effort is always there with this team, but being the better team against a team like Dallas is no easy feat. It’s too bad they couldn’t get the result in a game they played well in.
What’s your instant reaction to tonight’s game? Let us know in the comments section below!

PRESENTED BY VIVID SEATS

Take $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200+ using promo code CANUCKSARMY (new customers only, $200 USD minimum before taxes & fees)

Editorials

Breaking News