Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet isn’t letting one game change his view on his goaltender Kevin Lankinen. Despite a challenging 7-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Tocchet stood by his player, highlighting Lankinen’s competitive edge and grit, which the coach believes make him a valuable asset to the team.
Lankinen’s Fighting Spirit Shines, Despite Loss
After the loss at Rogers Arena, Tocchet fielded questions from the media about Lankinen’s performance, with some suggesting that the seven-goal outcome pointed to a goalie issue. But Tocchet was quick to defend Lankinen, shifting the focus away from the scoreline and emphasizing Lankinen’s dedication on the ice.
“He’s a competitor,” Tocchet said, according to NHL.com. “He hung in there. You know, it was 3-2. He made a couple of—I don’t know, there was an empty net, somehow he got a stick on it. So this guy’s a fighter. He’s the least of our problems.”
Tocchet’s unwavering confidence in Lankinen’s resilience underlines the goaltender’s role as a crucial team member, even when results aren’t favorable.
The Canucks’ head coach sees potential in Lankinen’s ability to withstand high-pressure situations, a quality he believes will ultimately benefit the team as they work toward playoff contention.
Lankinen’s Strong Season Start Cut Short in Oilers’ Blitz
This game marked Lankinen’s first regulation loss of the season after an impressive 7-1-2 start. Before being pulled in the third period, he stopped 20 of 27 shots. The Oilers, however, broke through in the third period, scoring four times within just five minutes to effectively end the Canucks’ comeback hopes.
With a solid 2.61 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage, Lankinen’s stats this season reflect his capability, especially given the Canucks’ generally strong performances. Tocchet’s support, despite the rough outcome, highlights the importance of Lankinen’s confidence moving forward, especially with another critical game approaching against the Calgary Flames.
Oilers’ Offense Overwhelms Canucks with Rapid Goals
The Oilers were relentless from the start, securing an early lead when Leon Draisaitl scored shortly after a power play expired. Corey Perry doubled the Oilers’ lead in the second period, followed closely by a shot from Viktor Arvidsson, putting the Canucks in a 3-0 deficit.
However, Vancouver wasn’t about to back down. Elias Pettersson and Filip Hronek quickly responded, each netting a goal to narrow the score to 3-2, signaling a potential Canucks comeback.
But Edmonton had other plans. They surged in the third period with Connor Brown finding the net, followed by a power-play goal from none other than Connor McDavid. McDavid continued his playmaking prowess, assisting Brett Kulak for another goal, while Brown closed the scoring with his second goal of the night. Even after the Canucks brought in Arturs Silovs to take over in net, Pius Suter secured a final power-play goal, locking in the Oilers’ decisive 7-3 win.
Tocchet Acknowledges the Team’s Fatigue, Eyes Next Matchup
Tocchet admitted that his team appeared “tired” as the Oilers surged in the final period, a reflection of the intensity of the Canucks’ recent games. The loss snapped Vancouver’s three-game winning streak, but the focus remains on bouncing back for the upcoming clash against Calgary. Lankinen, despite the setback, remains a prime candidate to start in the next game.
Tocchet’s faith in his goaltender is clear, and his comments suggest that he views this as just one rough patch in an otherwise promising season. The Canucks, with Lankinen’s fighting spirit leading the way, are looking to regain momentum as they strive to establish themselves as serious contenders in the Pacific Division.
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