The Vancouver Canucks won just seven overtime games last NHL season.
They also tied for fewest triumphs in extra time with 14. If the Canucks prevailed in half of those encounters, they would have squeezed into the final Western Conference playoff position to make something of a season gone sideways.
It didn’t happen.
Continuously losing you way in overtime is like death by 1,000 cuts. When the Canucks blew 3-0 and 4-1 leads to the Calgary Flames in their home opener last year, and needed J.T. Miller to connect with 1:37 remaining just to get to the five-minute showdown, they still lost 6-5.
It wasn’t the end of the world to drop the encounter, but it was a gut punch.
“It wasn’t horrible. It just looked horrible,” former Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet reasoned post game. “It was a loose game. We’ll learn.”
They didn’t.
The Canucks lost five times in overtime in December, but rallied in two outings to get to the extra session. However, a 4-3 overtime loss in St. Louis on March 20 was another startling example of a crucial point that got away. Brock Boeser forced the extra session with four seconds remaining before Philip Broberg was left unattended to pot the winner with 1:18 left in overtime.
We bring all this up because there may be hope on the horizon.
Fleet-footed Quinn Hughes wheels around Aleksander of the Panthers on Dec. 12, 2004 at Rogers Arena.
The Canucks rallied for a 3-2 overtime victory Friday against the Edmonton Oilers in a dress rehearsal for their season opener Thursday. Jonathan Lekkerimaki’s second strike forced overtime, but it’s how Conor Garland ended it.
The speedy winger gained the O-zone, and with a defender in his path, he quickly circled back and spotted Filip Hronek open at the far boards. A quick return feed to Garland at the top of the slot allowed him to beat a trio of defenders at speed, cut across the crease and tuck home the winner.
Garland and Jake DeBrusk led the club last season with two power-play goals apiece. Several more goals from more players is a must and more trust is building. It was evident Friday.
“I liked the way we bought into the discussion,” Canucks head coach Adam Foote said of a plan to attack. “We won the draw and then dragged it (puck) and didn’t have Hughes out there. But we got him out and were more patient with our strikes and recognize. Bring the puck back and maybe tire them (Oilers) out a bit.
“You put Garland in a good spot and he’s so slick, that if you tire them out a bit, he’ll find those cracks and it worked. It was good.”
Overtime strategy is about possession.
It’s winning the opening faceoff and controlling tempo. If that means continuous circling back into the neutral zone to get the right personnel before attacking, so be it. It’s ensuring a scoring chance isn’t just a shot that goes wide to surrender possession, or a blast that’s stopped to force a faceoff, or quickly advanced to put you on your heels.
Any scoring chance has to be of the highest percentage.
It’s also about Quinn Hughes. The Canucks captain was in midseason form with six points (1-5) in three pre-season outings. He’s the straw that stirs the offensive drink in every situation — even strength, power play and overtime — and the difference-maker is the obvious extra-session catalyst.
It’s not just that initial foray out of the defensive zone with speed and sublime edge work if pressured. It’s how Hughes reads the play and knows when to circle back, send a laser-like pass to spring a teammate, or go on the attack.
Here’s a look at what awaits the Canucks to start this season:
Canucks vs. Flames
When and where: Thursday, 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Setting a standard of being hard to beat on home ice is imperative. The Canucks were a paltry 17-16-8 last season and 3-4-3 out of the gate at Rogers Arena. They were 23rd in offence in 2024-25 with just 2.84 goals per game and 15th on the power play at 22.5 per cent efficiency.
Who to watch: Centre Elias Pettersson
Noticeably bigger, stronger and motivated after just 15 goals last season amid too much drama. An off-season devotion to injury-free fitness and a vow to return to previous form are encouraging. His quick, heavy and accurate one-timer on the power play Wednesday in an 8-1 pre-season romp at Calgary teased off what could be. Pressure is on as top pivot with huge contract.
Canucks centre Pius Suter celebrates after scoring against the Devils on March 24, 2025 in Newark, N.J.
Canucks vs. Blues
When and where: Monday, 4:30 p.m. | Rogers Arena
TV: Amazon Prime. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Both teams struggled to score last season. However, the Blues went 35-18-7 after fired Boston Bruins bench boss Jim Montgomery took over the bench and guided the club to the final conference wild-card spot. Battle of coaching wits looms. The Canucks also won 5-2 in St. Louis on Jan. 27 as Garland struck twice and lost 4-3 at home in overtime on Dec. 10.
Who to watch: Centre Pius Suter
Got ‘Glue Guy’ nickname with the Canucks for versatility to play centre or wing and excel as first-pairing penalty killer. His union with Teddy Blueger led to club’s third-overall ranking at 82.6 per cent. Suter got the money in free agency with a two-year, US$8.25 million. The Canucks balked at $4 million annual average value.
Suter hit career highs for goals (25) and points (46) last season and centres intriguing second line with Dylan Holloway and Jordan Kyrou.