What Happened
The Vancouver Canucks dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Florida Panthers on Thursday, extending their losing streak to six games. Goaltender Leevi Merilainen stopped 36 shots in the loss. Brady Tkachuk scored twice in the final nine minutes of regulation to erase a 2-0 Canucks lead, then completed his second consecutive natural hat trick with the overtime winner at 2:23. The Canucks were outshot 39-17 but earned their first point in nearly two weeks.
Key Details
- Canucks lost 3-2 in overtime to the Panthers on Thursday.
- Leevi Merilainen made 36 saves in his second straight start.
- Brady Tkachuk scored his second consecutive natural hat trick, including the OT winner at 2:23.
- Tkachuk's first goal came with 8:49 left in regulation, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
- Vancouver was outshot 39-17.
- The Canucks' six-game road trip ends Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
What It Means
The overtime point ends a nearly two-week drought for Vancouver, which had been outscored 17-5 while losing the first three games of its road trip. Merilainen, claimed on waivers from Ottawa, has been a bright spot in all six of his appearances. The Canucks remain winless on the trip but showed more defensive resilience and competitiveness than in earlier losses.
What's Next
The Canucks conclude their six-game road trip Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.