Vancouver Canucks: 3 takeaways from thrilling win over Los Angeles Kings
The Vancouver Canucks took on the 30th place Los Angeles Kings last night. In an entertaining game that saw overtime and a shootout, the Canucks won by a final score of 3-2.
The Vancouver Canucks, believe it or not, took part in one of the more entertaining games of the season last night. If you looked at the standings, you wouldn’t think that a game between two teams that are at the bottom of the standings would be that entertaining. Here are my three takeaways from last night’s thriller.
The debut of Quinn Hughes
How could I not start off with this one? Perhaps the most highly anticipated defenceman since Mattias Ohlund, Quinn Hughes made his debut last night.
It was a great start for Hughes, who showcased his elite puck-moving and skating abilities very early on in the game. On a line with Luke Schenn, Hughes showed exactly why Canucks fans have been so eager to see him in a Canucks’ uniform.
With about five minutes to go in the first, Hughes shook off a forechecking Kings’ player and carried the puck through the neutral zone, zipping right between two more players in the process.
This was just one example of many where Hughes showed his elite skating ability. It became evident for those that didn’t already know it — this kid is something special. Nearly every single time Hughes touched the puck last night, he was serenaded with cheers from the home crowd.
light. Related Story. Quinn Hughes set to make NHL debut
The same couldn’t be said for Tim Schaller, who got booed in the first period after failing to get a shot on Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick when the Canucks had a two-on-one shorthanded. But that’s another story.
Hughes recorded his first point last night on an assist on Brock Boeser‘s 26th goal of the season, and had a great performance in overtime, but more on that later. The Canuck Way’s Jarred Chan will have an in-depth look at Hughes’ debut later today.
Although he’ll only play in four games at the most this season, fans got even more of a glimpse into the Canucks’ bright future after Hughes’ outstanding first game.