Quinn Hughes Expresses Frustration After Canucks’ 5-2 Loss to Blackhawks
The Vancouver Canucks faced a tough night on Wednesday, falling 5-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite generating 45 shots on goal, the Canucks struggled to convert chances, managing only two goals. Goalie Kevin Lankinen faced a barrage of 32 shots, stopping 28 but allowing four goals. The fifth goal against Vancouver came into an empty net late in the game.
The Canucks struggled to find their footing in the first two periods and then gave up a four-goal surge early in the third. Lankinen’s record improved to 2-4-0 for the season, with a goals-against average of 3.62.
After the game, Quinn Hughes spoke with visible frustration when asked about Lankinen’s performance. “Not really,” Hughes said. “I mean, he made some good saves, but I wouldn’t say he made any outlandish saves. I don’t know what the shot count was, whether it hit 50 or not, but I mean, he played well, but yeah.” When pressed if the issue came down to execution, Hughes added, “Yeah. I don’t know. I mean, I didn’t see any like insane saves. Did you?”
Hughes’ short responses reflected his disappointment with the goaltending in the loss.
Season Overview: Quinn Hughes’ Steady Performance Amid Team Struggles
Despite the recent defeat, Quinn Hughes continues to be a key contributor for Vancouver in the 2025-26 season. Over 11 games, he has recorded one goal and seven assists, totaling eight points. His plus-minus rating stands at -2, highlighting some of the defensive issues the team faces.
Hughes, who missed four games earlier in the season due to injury, remains the Canucks’ leader in ice time—averaging over 26 minutes per game. This demonstrates the significant reliance the team places on him. Although Vancouver has struggled to maintain a winning record, Hughes’ calm presence on the ice remains a stabilizing force.
Chicago’s Third-Period Offensive Surge Seals Vancouver’s Fate
After a quiet first two periods, the Chicago Blackhawks unleashed an offensive burst that ultimately decided the game. Tyler Bertuzzi opened the scoring at 3:06 of the third period and doubled the lead with a power-play goal at 6:46, assisted by Connor Bedard.
Ilya Mikheyev extended Chicago’s advantage to 3-0 before Bertuzzi completed his hat trick at 11:37, pushing the score to 4-0. Reflecting on the game, Hughes commented, “I don’t know if it was fatigue from the trip, coming back. We just overpressed.”
Vancouver’s late efforts saw Aatu Raty score at 16:49, followed by Evander Kane adding another at 18:00 to narrow the deficit. However, Bedard sealed the win for Chicago with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
Looking Ahead: Canucks Eye Back-to-Back Home Games for Recovery
As the Canucks regroup from this disappointing loss, they will look to bounce back in upcoming back-to-back home games this weekend. With leaders like Quinn Hughes anchoring the squad, Vancouver hopes to regain momentum and improve their standing as the season progresses.
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