logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Canucks getting solid early returns on duo of Elias Pettersson and Conor Garland
alt
Photo credit: © Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Elijah Ford
Oct 21, 2025, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 20, 2025, 14:27 EDT
Comments
To the delight of many, the Vancouver Canucks‘ first road trip of the season has kicked off with three straight victories. Playing their third game in under 65 hours, the Canucks were able to take an early lead and hold on for a win against a Capitals team that had won four straight coming into Sunday.
With Filip Chytil and Jonathan Lekkerimäki sustaining injuries in the first period, and Brock Boeser ruled out just hours before puck drop due to personal reasons, the Canucks’ forward core was shorthanded for much of the contest. Despite this — and aside from a late push by the Capitals — the Canucks were in control of the game. A major reason behind this was the continuation of Conor Garland’s strong start to the year and the slow return to form of Elias Pettersson.
Just 59 seconds into the game, Garland stole a bouncing puck from Aliaksei Protas in the corner. He then found Pettersson alone on the right side of the net. Shooting from his off wing, Pettersson made no mistake, beating Charlie Lindgren glove side.
It was a tone-setting goal for the Canucks, who have struggled with sluggish starts this season. With Pettersson and Garland on the ice, the team scored two goals and didn’t allow one. The Capitals had the edge in most advanced metrics during the game, but the duo still managed to record 61 per cent of the shots when on the ice together.
Garland’s tenacious forecheck and ability to create turnovers in the offensive zone are an ideal fit with Pettersson’s playmaking and hockey IQ. Garland retrieves pucks on dump-and-chase entries, allowing Pettersson to read the play and use his skill in space to generate chances. Garland also has the straight-line speed to force defencemen to back up more than usual on zone entries off the rush. That creates additional space for Pettersson, who uses his high-level vision to sustain offensive-zone pressure.
The increasing ice time of the Garland–Pettersson duo has directly correlated with the turning point of the Canucks’ season so far: the game against the Dallas Stars. In Game 1 against the Flames, the duo played just two seconds together at five-on-five. In Game 2 versus Edmonton, they played 22 seconds. In Game 3 against the Blues, they shared just under four minutes.
In Game 4 against Dallas, Pettersson played nearly 13 minutes at five-on-five with Garland—more than with any other teammate. That night, a turnover forced by Pettersson led to Garland’s eventual game-winning goal. The pair also created a near-scoring sequence at the goal line that shifted momentum in Vancouver’s favour. They followed that with almost 11 minutes together against the Blackhawks, and just under 10 minutes versus the Capitals.
The success of the Pettersson–Garland duo shouldn’t come as a surprise to Canucks fans. Pettersson has looked like a different player with Garland on his wing—even during personal slumps. Since the start of the 2023–24 season, Pettersson’s  Corsi % with Garland on the ice sits at 54 per cent. Without him, it drops to 50%. This season, Pettersson has a 1.82 expected goals-for rate with Garland, the highest with any linemate. His Corsi with Garland is 44.58%; without him, it falls to 41.67%.
Conor Garland has arguably been the Canucks’ best forward to start the season. He leads the team in points and assists, averaging a point per game through his first six games. His advanced stats are also near the top among Canucks skaters. He’s brought energy and relentlessness to a team that has struggled to get its motor running.
Elias Pettersson is arguably the most talented forward on the roster. His offensive ability is world-class, and he appears to be gaining confidence in his skating stride with each game. Pairing him with Garland on the top line has created a dynamic scoring presence the Canucks have lacked in recent seasons. With both players responsible defensively, Vancouver may have finally found its one-two forward punch.

READ NEXT: Canucks GM Allvin provides updates on Blueger, Boeser, Chytil, and Lekkerimäki

Sponsored by bet365

Editorials

Breaking News