Canucks’ wild comeback snaps skid, Pacific Division roundup

The spotlight in the Pacific Division belonged to the Vancouver Canucks, who finally slammed the door on their long losing streak, while the Vegas Golden Knights firmed up top spot and the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings endured tough nights.

Canucks pull off dramatic rally to end 10-game skid

Vancouver delivered its most cathartic win of the young season, rallying past the Anaheim Ducks 6-5 in overtime. According to Sportsnet, the victory snapped a 10-game losing streak. Trailing late in the third, the Canucks mounted a big comeback: Sportsnet reports that Jonathan Lekkerimäki scored twice in the final minutes of regulation to tie it 5-5 and force overtime, where Filip Hronek buried the winner. Another Sportsnet piece described it as a third-period comeback that finally brought some "good vibes" to a team badly in need of them. The result lifts the Canucks to 3-10-1 (7 points), edging them off the very bottom of the Pacific standings.

For Anaheim, letting this one slip away proved costly. The Ducks leave with just a single point from an overtime loss after leading late, dropping to 5-6-1 (11 points) and staying in the muddled middle of the division.

Golden Knights steady on top, Sharks shut out at home

The Golden Knights strengthened their hold on first place with a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. Sportsnet notes that Braeden Bowman opened the scoring and Raphael Lavoie provided the eventual game-winner in the third period. Earlier in the day, Vegas had to adjust on the fly when, according to Sportsnet, goaltender Carter Hart left morning skate with an undisclosed injury, forcing the team to start Adin Hill instead. The Knights now sit at 9-4-1 for 19 points in 14 games, leading the Pacific.

In San Jose, the Sharks were blanked 2-0 by the Buffalo Sabres. As recapped by Sportsnet, Olen Zellweger and Zach Benson supplied the offence for Buffalo, while Colten Ellis turned aside all 23 shots he faced for the shutout. San Jose drops to 6-6-1 (13 points), right in the middle of the pack, on a night that had been billed by Sportsnet as a Macklin Celebrini showcase on home ice.

Kings keep sliding, analysis day for Flames and Oilers

The Kings’ struggles continued with a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Sportsnet highlights Roman Kantserov’s fifth goal of the season and a third-period winner from Wyatt Kaiser. The network also singled out an eye-catching paddle save by Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg, who robbed Ryan Donato on what looked like an open-net tap-in. Despite the highlight-reel stop, Los Angeles falls to 3-6-2 (8 points) and remains near the bottom of the division.

There were no games for Calgary, Edmonton or Seattle, but plenty of talk. In Calgary, Sportsnet debated whether goalie Devin Cooley’s red-hot start is sustainable, while The Hockey Writers relayed concerns from a TSN analyst about Cooley’s interviews, praised Joel Farabee’s recent play and questioned the long-term outlook for Dustin Wolf as the Flames’ No. 1. In Edmonton, Sportsnet and Daily Faceoff dug into the club’s reliance on its top stars, the patient handling of prospect Ike Howard and coach Mike Babcock’s view that recent adversity is a chance to learn a tighter game. The Kraken stayed out of the news cycle and sit third in the Pacific at 7-4-1 with 15 points.