deadspin
The Vancouver Canucks will welcome the Anaheim Ducks to town on Tuesday night, and it's safe to say they're looking forward to the reunion. Their last encounter, just a week prior in Anaheim, saw the Canucks erase a three-goal deficit in the final 7 1/2 minutes and prevail 6-5 in overtime. That victory stands as their lone win in the past 13 games, a stretch that has seen them go 1-11-1.
Since that overtime thriller, Vancouver has dropped a 3-2 decision to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday and a 4-2 contest to the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Despite the results, forward Brock Boeser, who scored in the loss to Toronto, remains optimistic. "Honestly, I think our team has been playing a lot better hockey as of late," Boeser said. "We're generating more shots, and I think our defensive game is coming along and getting better. You've got to look at the little things, and as long as those are improving, then we've got to build off those. So, we got to stick with the process here."
The Ducks, meanwhile, are riding the momentum of a 6-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. Cutter Gauthier recorded a hat trick, and Anaheim rallied from a three-goal deficit after the first period. "Last year, we were experts in coming back in games," Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said. "This year, we've been more the other way. So, it's nice to come back and get the win."
Anaheim's power play has been a major factor in their success, converting four of the team's six consecutive goals in the comeback and ranking second in the NHL with a 34% efficiency. That's a stark improvement from last season when they finished 23rd at 18.6% and last in 2024-25 at 11.8%.
Judd Caulfield, who contributed two goals and an assist against the Senators, emphasized the team's resilience. "We know that we're capable of making those comebacks," Caulfield said. "We just have to trust ourselves to make the plays and trust each other. We know we're a team and that's the only way we're going to get back in this is with each other." Caulfield has been a pleasant surprise for Anaheim, scoring four goals in his first 12 NHL games while doing the dirty work around the net. "That's as good an example as you can set by getting rewarded by efficiency and what you've been doing," Quenneville said. "Judd made the team when we probably didn't envision him being there at the beginning of the year. Next thing you know he's on our power play and playing top line. He does all the little things well, and those things add up."
Quenneville also made a bold move by starting Laurent Brossoit in goal against Ottawa over Lukas Dostal and Ville Husso. Brossoit allowed three goals on the first seven shots in just his second NHL game in three seasons but then settled in and shut out the Senators over the final two periods. Quenneville plans to bring all three goaltenders on the three-game Canadian road trip. "I was hoping it wouldn't take years in between wins, personally, but here we are," Brossoit said. "It feels amazing, no matter how you shake it up."
Key Analysis
The Canucks' struggles have been well-documented, but their recent performances suggest they might be turning a corner. Improved shot generation and defensive structure are positive signs, even if the win column hasn't reflected it yet. For Anaheim, the comeback win and the resurgence of their power play could be a turning point in their season. The Ducks' ability to rally from deficits, combined with the emergence of players like Caulfield, makes them a dangerous opponent. Tuesday's matchup will be a test of whether Vancouver can build on its moral victories and whether Anaheim can sustain its momentum.
Originally reported by deadspin.