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Hughes had three assists in a five-goal third period as the Canucks scored three times in 1:40. Captain finished with third four-assist game of career
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Published Nov 16, 2025 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 5 minute read
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Linus Karlsson celebrates his third period goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena on Sunday Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty ImagesArticle content
In Vancouver, we have come to hope for the best and fear the worst.
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The hope is always the pairing of Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek. The fear is a lingering injury.
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The freewheeling Canucks captain is a pure puck magician, who snaps forechecking ankles with sublime edge work, and sends laser passes to spring teammates on breakaways. He’s also a dynamic offensive-zone quarterback who darts and dashes to cause matchup problems.
And in Hronek, he has the perfect partner to ensure the defensive side of the game doesn’t lapse, especially if Hughes is on the pinch. Hronek shook off the effects of an unpenalized elbow to the head by Andrei Svechnikov on Friday that led to his exit via a concussion spotter.
Hughes also returned Sunday in Tampa Bay after missing a game with what looked like an arm or shoulder injury in a corner collision with Mark Scheifele on Tuesday at Rogers Arena. He briefly left the game and then logged a monster 28:17.
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Against the Lightning, Hughes was probably playing with some level of discomfort because that’s just him. He’s going to gut it out, even if he said he feels fine. And did he ever.
Quinn Hughes is chased by Yanni Gourde during the second period at Benchmark International Arena Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images
Hughes once again led by stunning example as the Canucks rallied from an early 2-0 deficit for a resounding 6-2 victory over the Lightning on the second stop of a three-game road trip.
He had three assists in a five-goal third period in which the Canucks scored twice in 43 seconds and three times in 1:40 by going hard to the net for deflections and tips. Hughes finished with his third four-assist game and fourth four-point outing.
“A little bit of a slow start and we weren’t playing the way we want to play,” said Hughes. “Too passive. In the second period we were way better and took it to them and finished it off in the third. It’s never easy missing games and I’ve missed five, but I feel good and healthy and was excited to be back out there.
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“With the Olympics and the schedule it’s really tough to get your body feeling good every night. That’s the main goal.”
It was also a team effort Sunday.
The Canucks got goals from grinders Linus Karlsson, Drew O’Connor and Mackenzie MacEachern. The much-maligned last place penalty kill had a perfect night and the power play struck twice. However, if not for the resilience of Kevin Lankinen the game could have been put away early.
“It speaks volumes with the character in the room and we didn’t like the way we played in Carolina (Friday) and we didn’t have a great start today,” said MacEachern. “The older guys and Footy (head coach Adam Foote) kind of gave us the message after the first that it was time to step up and show who we are.
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“We answered the bell and it was good.”
After all, the Canucks were outshot 12-1 in the first period and needed nearly eight minutes before Brock Boeser forced a tough blocker-side save. And when Nikita Kucherov drilled a cross-ice feed short side late in the first period, you knew the road to redemption was going to be long — even with the Lightning missing six players to injury, including stalwarts Victor Hedman and Anthony Cirelli.
“That was the toughest start we’ve had and it was bound to happen in playing against a good disciplined team,” said Foote. “I like the adjustment we made with the leaders because we came out as a different team. I like the way that Huggy (Hughes) got into it. He might have been holding onto the puck too long in the first.
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“He started moving and feeling it and you saw what he did with a couple of nice plays on goals.”
Foote added that Conor Garland, who didn’t return to the third period, had a “tweak” from a first-period fight.
The story now shifts to Lankinen after a 28-save game.
Will he go back-to-back on Monday and make it three starts in four nights in absence of the injured Thatcher Demko?
Kevin Lankinen has his mask lifted as Tampa Bay’s Jake Guentzel and Tyler Myers jostle in front of the net during the second period Photo by Chris O’Meara /APREPORT CARDS
Evander Kane (C)
Was around the puck a lot but no shots and three attempts. Had three hits. Not a great night.
Elias Pettersson (B-)
Dangle for PP slot shot on DeBrusk goal, good D-zone shot block, won 56 per cent of draws.
Conor Garland (C+)
Feisty. Took exception to Raddysh cross-check, dropped mitts. Didn’t return for third period.
Brock Boeser (B-)
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Only Van shot in first was his wrister forcing tough blocker save. Good in third. Three shots.
Max Sasson (C+)
Got second-line role because of speed, smarts. Hard on wraparound effort to set up chance.
Kiefer Sherwood (B-)
Always in thick of it. Four hits. Hughes shot off his stick, Bolts stick, for 3-2 lead. Good on PK.
Drew O’Connor (B-)
Tips Hughes shot for 4-2 lead. Getting better on PK. SH pass on break to Sherwood hit skate.
Aatu Raty (C+)
Strong presence in circle, won seven of 12 draws. Making better reads, passes, positioning.
Jake DeBrusk (B)
Got to his office for PP rebound goal down low. Six of his seven goals on PP. Two shots.
Mackenzie MacEachern (B)
Scored big goal. Three hits. Did his job. Drew penalty. Followed the fourth-line credo.
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Lukas Reichel (C-)
Broke up early neutral-zone play. Struggling with decisions, positioning. Should wing it.
Linus Karlsson (B-)
Scored on birthday. Face shoved into glass on heavy first period hit. Five hits. Reliable.
Quinn Hughes (A)
Four assists on return. Makes huge difference in O-zone. Four shots, seven attempts.
Filip Hronek (B)
Knowing your place means everything with Hughes. Five shot attempts, four hits. Solid.
Marcus Pettersson (B-)
Tough to corral the Bolts down low. So many cross ice and seam passes top of crease.
Tyler Myers (B-)
See above. When you’re towering, those long strides are imperative to break up plays.
Elias (D-Petey) Pettersson (B-)
Took two hits, made two spins on same play to advance puck. Three hits, two blocks.
Tom Willander (B)
Mature beyond his 20 years. Another night when he looks like vet. Speedy. Smooth.
Kevin Lankinen (A)
It could have easily been over after dominant Bolts took 2-0 lead. Grade A resilience.
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