logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
The Stanchies: Injury problems go from bad to worse as Canucks lose Garland in 2-0 loss to Rangers
alt
Photo credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The Stanchion
Oct 29, 2025, 02:42 EDTUpdated: Oct 29, 2025, 03:43 EDT
Comments
If there is one thing we’ve learned in Vancouver, it’s that you can always expect Elias Pettersson and JT Miller to do the opposite of what you think is going to happen.
Teammates for life? Nah, nah, nah. Instead, let’s have generational locker-room fallout that rips the team apart and ruins an entire season of hockey.
Back and forth affair in JT Miller’s return to Rogers Arena, the next with both players going head-to-head? Nah, nah, nah. Instead, let’s have a low event, soul-crushing 2-0 victory in which 83-year-old Jonathan Quick gets a shutout, and you question if you even like hockey anymore.
I will give credit to JT Miller; he downplayed everything the morning of the game. His entire focus was on getting the two points for his struggling team, and then getting out of town, which he executed brilliantly. In fact, this was probably the perfect game for Miller, as there was next to no drama, Elias Pettersson didn’t do much of anything, and the Rangers got the win.
As for the Canucks, an injury to Conor Garland that took him out of the third period was a gentle reminder that the Hockey Gods hate your city and view you with nothing but scorn and derision.
But even with the injuries the Canucks are currently facing, it still felt like a game in which the team could have done more. Small silver linings included the NHL debut of Tom Willander, who impressed by not looking out of place, and the continued high-level play of Thatcher Demko. Silver linings and an apple will get you a piece of fruit, however, and that’s about it.
The underlying issues of Evander Kane giving beer-leaguers around the world confidence that their game could translate into an NHL career were once again on full display.
Jake DeBrusk was in the lineup, but I’m not certain I saw him at any point.
Drew O’Connor is being pushed by Lukas Reichel to see who can not score goals at the highest rate in the NHL.
Elias Pettersson, whose game has been trending upwards, stumbled yet again in the spotlight. I’m not saying he was bad Tuesday night, but there are only so many times you can talk about him “almost having an elite game” before you just start feeling bad for everyone involved.
And once again, the Canucks seemed to fall into a low shot, thoughts and prayers from the point, offensive game plan we saw for the majority of last year.
I am still firm on waiting 20 games before I dive too deep into drawing conclusions about this team, and injuries are certainly becoming the main storyline so far, but oh my goodness, this was one of the more dispiriting games of hockey I have seen in Vancouver this season. To quote our old friend Rick, they had no juice. I could almost hear Rick explaining to me that the players weren’t doing what he wanted as the time ticked off the clock on this one.
Instead of entertainment, we got to witness a “solid road win,” which in hockey parlance means “unwatchable game in which the road team sat back and tried to grind out a one goal game.”
I am just going to go ahead and say what we’re all thinking, though. This team needs some help. They need someone who can get them going, someone who can lift their spirits.
And that man is Nearly Neil.
Is it any surprise the team has struggled without Nearly Neil serenading the crowd? I think not.
Let’s, begrudgingly, dive into this game
Best Quick start
Lukas Reichel was the most notable forward in this game in the offensive zone, even if it came at the cost of his play on the defensive side of the puck.
Still, in a game in which the team struggled to generate much of anything in terms of scoring chances, Reichel was a clear positive as he was the player who got the most looks on net. Complaining about his defence in this game would be like complaining that the violinist was greedy for doing a solo while the band kept playing when the Titanic was sinking.
The first good chance for Reichel came off of one of two notable plays from DeBrusk on the night, this time in the form of passing the puck while sitting on his bum:
Jonathan Quick, seen here in 2012 form, made the save whilst kicking out his pad and glove at the same time because why not. And I say that with respect because anytime a goalie does something that would make Ian Clark throw an iPad across the room, I smile, because I miss goalies making saves off of vibes instead of technique.
Upon seeing Reichel almost score, Drew O’Connor knew he had to up his game, so he was the next guy to almost score a goal after jumping on a point shot rebound from Aatu Räty, who was covering for a pinching Marcus Pettersson:
The edging contest between Reichel and Calendar is fast approaching must see TV, as they are truly finding new and unique ways to not score goals every single day.
Best not missing out
There is a certain irony in the Canucks ice cream being called “Bar Down Blast” for a team that can’t score goals, but I assume “please dear God bring Quinn Hughes back” doesn’t quite roll off the tongue as easily. I also don’t know what flavour that would be. What does desperation taste like? Nutmeg? Paprika?
Actually, I don’t know even what Bar Down Blast should taste like. Cold metal mixed with rubber while someone holds a red light near you screaming loud noises?
Either way, the Rangers’ best chance early on was an Artemi Panarin shot after Defensive Enthusiasm Elias Pettersson was stripped of the puck behind the net by Mika Zibanejad:
As Thatcher Demko is not Stuart Skinner, he did not randomly leave his net to make sure he locked his car, so he made the save.
Best LFG energy
In the early moments of the first period, Elias Pettersson laid out what can only be described as an homage to Asuka, with his usage of a thundering butt check:
And in a game in which the fans’ emotions were very much “let’s post a hot picture of our current partner to make our ex jealous”, this hit was met with roaring cheer, followed by a “Let’s go Petey” chant.
Perhaps spurred on by this energy, Tyler Myers set up the next good Canucks chance by skating his way into the New York Rangers zone and throwing a chaos hand grenade in the general direction of Jonathan Quick, which Conor Garland almost converted into a goal:
Halfway through the first period, the Canucks looked like they might have momentum, but you know what kills momentum quicker than anything? Arshdeep Bains taking a random tripping penalty. Yay.
Best monkey paw
First off, don’t give the Canucks any ideas. With the way Kevin Lankinen has started this year, and with a management team holding onto their jobs like that backpack meme, riding Thatcher Demko into the ground is still very much on the table.
Realistically, though, Demko has been one of the main reasons the Canucks have been in the majority of the games this season. And what do they save again? You have to be lucky to be good, and good to be lucky?
JT Miller didn’t score on the night, so at least he didn’t get everything he wanted, as he pushed that puck wide. He should have scored on that play, but I will chalk it up to being intimidated by Demko’s slick-looking gear.
But even with the Rangers missing what looked like a sure goal, Demko made sure to remind them that scoring on him was no easy task when he later denied Taylor Raddysh on a loose puck in the crease:
All of which is to say is that Thatcher Demko continues to give you belief in his new contract when he keeps having nights like these.
Also, good news! Bains’ penalty didn’t cost them a goal.
Best bad news
But Evander Kane’s backchecking did cost them a goal:
I mean, I called it a JT Miller tribute at the time it happened, as that is one piss poor back check. I don’t know what’s worse: he tries to take a hooking penalty but fails at that, or the fact that he just refuses to skate back to try and make a play. He doesn’t take a single stride from the blue line onwards, and the end result is a Zibanejad goal.
His beer league-inspired play continued near the end of the period when he sent a pass that would have led to Brock Boeser being murdered if this were the Scott Stevens days:
Instead, it results in a turnover instead of a concussion, but the fact remains that for all the offensive skill Evander Kane possesses, it comes at a high price in every other part of his game.
Best stand by your man
Conor Garland didn’t return for the third period, and there was no obvious moment where you could tell he was injured on a play. But your best guess for where the damage occurred was probably on the massive hit he absorbed from Sam Carrick in the second period:
He popped right back up, so we can’t say with certainty he was hurt on this play, but that was the most likely candidate.
And yes, Marcus Pettersson stood up for his boy immediately, if street justice for big legal checks is your thing.
I also hope Marcus shouted “You trying to download an MP3 off of LimeWire??” before landing a left-right combo, mostly for the dated reference, causing confusion on the ice.
Best we can rebuild him
As I said earlier, Elias was perfectly cromulent in this game. He probably should have had a point or two. He made some perfectly fine passes, one of which bordered on timely and gorgeous.
But I still feel like he takes forever to load up his shot on the power play:
We know his one-timer is quick, but sometimes when he gets the puck and runs the wristshot prompt in his brain, it just feels like he delays long enough to get his shooting lane blocked.
That being said, he did have a very gorgeous pass right afterwards:
In a perfect world, that pass to Garland is thrown over to Boeser for the tap-in, instead of, you know, the puck hitting Brock in the face.
This was very much one of those nights, yes.
Best keep on keeping on
For my money, Reichel thoroughly outplayed Drew O’Connor in the “he could have scored there” game on the night.
The best of his chances was probably on this nice give-and-go with Evander Kane:
First off, good play from Kane. Again, the dude knows how to make good offensive plays; we know this.
Secondly, that’s a nice attempt from Reichel. He was clearly the flashiest player on the night for Vancouver, even if he failed to register a point.
If anything, it’s been nice to see his speed on display, his willingness to drive through the middle of the ice, and his ability to generate looks on net. Even if there is a long way to go from “that fast guy is fun” to “guy who generates points effectively in the NHL.”
Best he only knows one way to live
With Evander Kane in the penalty box due to an offensive zone penalty, as is tradition, the Canucks managed to kill it off while also generating the better scoring chance:
Drew O’Connor causes the turnover for the Rangers, and Garland’s attempt to go full Corolla ends up with a loose puck that Tyler Myers shoots on net from an awkward angle.
Was it a grade A scoring chance? No. But on this night, it was one of the few highlights, and I need GIF money, so here we are.
Best grinding it out
We’ve reached the part of the night where I show you plays that almost resulted in a shot on net:
I do like that Filip Hronek holds the puck and waits for EP40 to get open before sending the pass in. Hronek doesn’t just dump the puck out and give up possession.
Sadly, Elias was at the end of the shift, so the best he could do there was at least make Quick think about what a shot on net might feel like. He’s planting that seed.
Best surely they can’t all get injured
Remember when this season was predicated on “if everything goes right” and “surely it can’t be as bad as last year?”
Well, we’re how many injuries in, with a season that already looks like it’s teetering on the edge, and now we have Demko being run by his own guy:
The good news is that Demko was fine after the collision, but this season is clearly taking its pound of flesh from Vancouver early on.
I’m not saying the Hockey Gods hate Vancouver, but I am starting to believe demonic pacts were made by previous management to land Pavel Bure in the draft, and the city is still paying for it to this day.
Best good but bad?
Lukas Reichel’s next shot on net was off a pass from Kiefer Sherwood:
Things I liked on this play:
  • Defensively Inclined Elias Pettersson not trying to force the puck around the boards through Jonny Brodzinski. He takes his time and pushes the puck back along the other way, and the end result is DOC kicking the puck out to Kiefer Sherwood, which sets this play in motion.
  • Hey, Lukas Reichel getting shots on net is good stuff, have at it.
  • That isn’t a very dangerous shot but again, what can we do at this point.
Best tackling the problem
At one point, Tom Willander just sort of sat on Conor Sheary, which, hey, if it works, it works, but Brock Boeser and Lukas Reichel seem to just forget about the other side of the ice, so no one covers Urho Vaakanainen sneaking in from the point:
Luckily for Vancouver, he hit the crossbar, which I guess is a highlight? I don’t know how this works at this point.
Best final act
I have some good news, Conor Garland got the Canucks’ 11th shot of the game at the end of the second period:
Unfortunately that is a “shot” much in the way that I have a chance to have dinner at The Keg with Kate Beckinsale while we discuss the finer points of Diablo 4 character builds.
That was also the last shift of the game for Garland, who would not return after this.
Best blame Jeff
How could you Jeff.
Best debris related question
Alas, it is merely the broken stick of Evander Kane, which is notably the first time Kane’s stick didn’t try to take an offensive zone penalty.
It was also one of the few rushes from the Canucks in the game that resulted in a moment where it felt like an actual goal might occur:
Smart pass from Elias, who feathers the pass down to Jake, who mishandles the puck at the last second and ends up with a weak shot on net.
There were probably two or three times when Elias Pettersson could have been involved in a goal, which, hey, that’s fine, that’s good, it’s better than zero.
But I can only hand out gold stars for hypothetical points so many times before I just sit down and try to get some sleep.
Best speaking of hypothetical goals
After a good pinch from Marcus Pettersson (this might be his elite talent, to be honest, he doesn’t get enough credit for his decision making on when to go for the puck), Kiefer Sherwood found Lukas Reichel yet again for another shot attempt from the slot:
I honestly have no other ways to describe “he almost scored again” at this point so I’ll let the gif do the work.
Best full chaos
Tyler Myers went from loading up a clap bomb, to dangling around the offensive zone, to turning the puck over into a two-on-one rush against, AKA a normal shift for CG57:
It was very clearly a low event game, as these gifs selections are showing you.
Best the best I can offer you is a shot
They didn’t score, but they did get a shot on net:
There is no danger here. No threat of scoring. It’s purely a shot based on “I sure hope this takes a random bounce into the net!” and/or “Maybe Quick will pass out and this will go in!”
Best didn’t see it coming
The Canucks’ best chance to score was when Jake DeBrusk passed the puck five hole over to Elias Pettersson:
I don’t THINK Jake is going “Oh yeah, time to pass this through Quick’s pads for the tap-in” mostly because he isn’t Henrik Sedin. I think he’s just trying to get the puck across in the general area to Elias.
Because if that was Henrik, it would mean he was 100% passing to Daniel, who would 100% be ready for the tap-in. The Sedins see that play and very clearly share twin thoughts and coordinate the pass through the five hole, which Danny promptly taps in.
But regular, normal players don’t usually think “I bet this puck is going to go right through the goalies legs over to me,” so while I won’t criticize Elias for not tapping that puck in, I will sigh out loud about how this game couldn’t let us enjoy a single thing on the night.
You can almost see EP40 think “wtf” as that puck somehow scoots right on by him.
Best shoot?
Don’t worry, the Canucks heard you! They shot the puck MULTIPLE times from the point into traffic:
This is kind of a don’t hate the player, hate the game type of scenario, in which point shots into traffic were probably the Canucks’ best option at this point. New York was defending the centre of the ice as if JT Miller not yelling at them depended upon it, so there weren’t a ton of ways to move that puck into dangerous areas with time and space.
But it’s also just sort of deflating knowing you watched an entire game of hockey, and the best chances a team got were throwing a puck on net four times at the end of the game.
Thoughts and prayers, hockey offence just doesn’t float my boat like it used to.
Best open ice
So why not end the game on another point shot, shall we?
And that was the ball game. A tedious result for a tedious game. Onto the next one.
I wish I had more to say about this game, but it was truly a low event, low excitement affair. Half the third period was highlighted by puck battles along the board resulting in zone exits. Not the most thrilling stuff.
Best at least we have Andrey
Fun fact: He is still playing in the KHL to this day, and he is playing with former Canuck Nikolay Goldobin.

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