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Canucks winger Conor Garland took heavy hit in first period, did not return for the third, and is in injury evaluation
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Published Oct 28, 2025 • 4 minute read
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Conor Garland (8) loses his helmet as he’s checked by Sam Carrick during the first period Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESSArticle content
The compete was either going to be the treat or lead to defeat Tuesday at Rogers Arena.
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Elias Pettersson wanted the line matchup against former Vancouver Canucks teammate and adversary J.T. Miller, who received a video tribute in his first return to the city after being traded Jan. 31.
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The New York Rangers captain wanted to display his faceoff dominance and willingness to drag his struggling NHL club into the fight. He won his fist two draws against Pettersson, finished with 73 per cent efficiency, and nearly scored in the first period during a 2-0 victory.
J.T. Miller, back left, misses the net behind Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko during the first period Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Pettersson responded with two hits in the opening frame, including a thunderous reverse hit on big defenceman Urho Vaakanainen, and was good in puck pursuit and had a net presence. He also won 58 per cent of his faceoffs.
However, how the Canucks collectively competed amid a plethora of injures — Quinn Hughes, Victor Mancini, Filip Chytil, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Teddy Blueger, Derek Forbort and Nils Hoglander are sidelined — was going to the bigger story.
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And when winger Brock Boeser was struck in the face by a power play pass deflected off the stick of former teammate Carson Soucy in the first period, the injury list could have climbed to eight, but he did return in the second period.
However, Conor Garland did make it eight injures when he didn’t return for the third period and is in injury evaluation.
Fourth-line grinder Sam Carrick drilled Garland with such a heavy neutral-zone hit late in the first period that it popped the helmet off the Canucks’ mighty mite winger. Marcus Pettersson gamely challenged Carrick to a fight.
Marcus Pettersson fights Sam Carrick during the first period Photo by Derek Cain /Getty Images
The next-man-up mantra has been taken to the extreme with rookie defenceman Tom Willander making his NHL regular-season debut and not looking out of place where time and space were at a premium and the game ended with a scrum at the final buzzer.
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It was another indication that the night was going to be all about the grind. Getting to the net was tough but centre Lukas Reichel used his speed and positioning for a trio of chances and may have been the Canucks’ most dangerous weapon on a night where they were denied the slot and managed 22 shots, but just four in the first period.
“We came out a little bit flat, but they’re a desperate team,” said Canucks head coach Adam Foote. “They were still and better on the walls, but I thought we had a better third. We’re just going to keep going. It is the next man up and that’s what we’re going to do.”
New York Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad (93) scores against Thatcher Demko during the first period at Rogers Arena on Tuesday night Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Thatcher Demko kept the Canucks within striking range, but the Garland injury is a blow. He’s the club’s leading scorer with 11 points (3-8) and a catalyst for push and pace.
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‘It’s tough,” Demko. “I don’t know what to say. It was tight tonight. We made a good push in the third, but it’s disappointing.”
Kiefer Sherwood not only leads the Canucks in goals with six, but the feisty winger has helped carry the culture of giving everything every night. However, the rash of injuries is taxing everybody and doesn’t bode well for a three-game road trip that opens Thursday in St. Louis.
“it’s every guy buckling down and executing every detail,” said Sherwood. “Winning battles. We’re not going to out-skill teams, especially with the guys who are out. We have to stick to our structure and win by a team effort.”
Elias Pettersson is checked by J.T. Miller during the first period Photo by Derek Cain /Getty ImagesREPORT CARDS
Jake DeBrusk (C)
Had net presence in third period, but just one shot. Needs consistent push.
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Elias Pettersson (B)
Threw two big hits early, but getting to net was tough. Was targeted. Played hard.
Conor Garland (B)
Kept plugging away after absorbing huge hit. Probably played hurt. Culture guy.
Evander Kane (C)
Late in retreat on Rangers’ opening goal, took needless lazy hooking penalty.
Lukas Reichel (B+)
Fast. Four shots. Power play chance. Another on cross-ice feed. Another in third.
Brock Boeser (C)
Can’t be feeling great after taking puck in the mouth. Rangers also played him hard.
Drew O’Connor (B)
Good shot block on penalty kill, had scoring chance on another kill. Hard worker.
Aatu Raty (C)
Rough night in faceoff circle, had just one decent scoring chance off the wing.
Kiefer Sherwood (B)
Effort is always there. Very good on penalty kill, five hits.
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Arshdeep Bains (C)
Took tripping minor. Smart defensive-zone play to cause turnover, trigger transition.
Max Sasson (C)
Just four third-period shifts in tight game as Canucks pressed. Logged just 8:38.
Linus Karlsson (C)
Got to net but couldn’t convert sweet power play feed from Sherwood.
Marcus Pettersson (B)
Top-pairing role with Hughes injury. Gamely fought tough customer Carrick.
Filip Hronek (B)
Logged 28:33 to carry load minus captain, had three shots, three blocks.
Elias (D-Petey) Pettersson (C+)
Backward slide to break up scoring play in crease. Missed man on first goal.
Tyler Myers (C)
Short-handed scoring chance in slot, had point shot chance to tie it in third.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph (C)
Played more sound with better positioning and wasn’t getting beat.
Tom Willander (C)
Didn’t look out of place in NHL debut. Skated well. Moved pucks quickly.
Thatcher Demko (A)
Kept them in it. Took defensive breakdown to beat him. Solid 23 saves.
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