Vancouver Canucks: 3 takeaways from thrilling win over Los Angeles Kings

Look at that future, Canucks fans

The teams don’t have much to play for in terms of their playoff hopes, but both teams have players who are trying to make good impressions ahead of next season. It’s interesting, actually, because, in my opinion, the Canucks are on the verge of being competitive, and are much younger than the Kings.

The Canucks stars just need a little help, and that help can be found this offseason if the team wants to find it. The Kings came into this year expecting to compete, and even inked Ilya Kovalchuk to a three year deal with an annual average salary of $6.25 million. They haven’t competed this year, and have been out of the playoff race since about November.

The Kings will look to compete next year, and may get one of Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko to help the cause depending on the results of the draft lottery on April 9th. The Canucks are in a similar position. After being in the playoff race for most of this year, the team will look to compete next year and will likely get a top ten pick at this year’s draft as well.

Aside from that, however, the Canucks have the main building blocks already in place. Now it’s time to fill in the gaps. Hughes, Boeser, and Elias Pettersson worked together last night to get Rogers Arena almost the loudest it’s been all season. To top it all off, Thatcher Demko backstopped the team to the exciting shootout victory. That’s our future right there, Canucks fans.

They can bring that same intensity and excitement next year, but they need a supporting cast. They can’t be at the top of their game each and every night — slumps happen. But take a look at last night’s thrilling game and enjoy it, because there’s going to be many more in the coming years.

Did you think I was finished talking about Hughes? You thought wrong. That kid is simply amazing and the confidence he showed with the puck on his stick was remarkable. Here’s a better look at Hughes’ part in the Boeser goal.

The skating ability, poise, and all around hockey IQ Hughes displayed on this play is nothing short of remarkable to see from a rookie defenceman. I wrote an article roughly a month ago about how a learning curve was imminent upon Hughes’ arrival to the NHL and that fans may need to temper their expectations. I am definitely more than willing to eat my words on that one if needed.

These kids can play, and last night was yet another look at the brighter days that are just around the corner for this organization. The Canucks will face the Dallas Stars this Saturday from Rogers Arena. Puck drop is at 7 PM.