It took the 20th shot to finally beat the sharp Tolopilo, as the Canucks struggled to score in being outshot 28-11.<\/p>\n
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Published Apr 07, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 4\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 5 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n There was the Bruce Bump in Vancouver. And now we get the Torts Touch in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Bruce Boudreau made NHL history by winning his first seven games behind the Canucks bench in the 2021-22 season. And John Tortorella has won his first four as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights after replacing the fired Bruce Cassidy on March 30.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n So, in an NHL season that has gone completely sideways for the last-place Canucks, the sideshow of Tortorella returning to Vancouver and the scene of his erratic and entertaining one-year reign of error in the 2013-14 season provided some level of interest Tuesday at Rogers Arena<\/a>.<\/p>\n After all, in the second last regular season home game of a crippling and confidence-crushing campaign, the entertainment value of one team hanging on to a playoff position, and the other becoming the first to be mathematically eliminated in that chase, meant trotting out the question of could the Canucks play spoiler?<\/p>\n The answer was no in a 2-1 setback, but it came with one big caveat.<\/p>\n Nikita Tolopilo had a lot to do with keeping the issue in doubt as the Canucks were outshot 28-11. The Canucks\u2019 record for fewest shots in a game is eight and was set on Dec. 18, 1996. For the undrafated Tolopilo, 25, the effort was a statement game to show he can evolve from raw to reliable.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cI felt good but a little upset that we didn\u2019t get the win,\u201d said Tolopilo. \u201cI don\u2019t think I did something different and sometimes you\u2019re lucky with the bounces. That\u2019s hockey. The guys did a great job in front of me and there weren\u2019t many tips or bounces.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of times I saw the puck and they made my job easier.\u201d<\/p>\n Tolopilo made 10 saves in the first period and the Canucks didn\u2019t muster a shot until a Victor Mancini shot was deflected by Aaty Raty at 14:39. And when Colton Sissons was denied on a strong move to the net in the second period, and Mitch Marner was thwarted for the fourth time, it put the shot clock at 15-4 in the scoreless struggle<\/p>\n When Max Sasson then whipped a wrist shot far side to open scoring in the middle frame, the upset plot thickened before a Braden McNabb shot from the point in the second period finally beat Tolopilo on the 20th shot he faced to add more drama.<\/p>\n The issue was finally settled when Cole Smith got by Liam Ohgren along the wall at the Canucks blue-line, was left unattended in the slot and scored at 12:13. But Tolopilo was the story and fans were chanting his name in the third period as he kept the Canucks within striking range.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to be happy about something (name chanting) when we didn\u2019t win the game\u201d reasoned Tolopilo.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout Tolo, I don\u2019t know how close it would be,\u201d countered Sasson. \u201cSometimes, he doesn\u2019t get enough credit. He battles and has been put in some tough spots. He played a heck of a game.\u201d<\/p>\n With Kevin Lankinen sidelined day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Tolopilo could get a run to grow his game, especially if he maintains solid structure, doesn\u2019t sprawl, and keeps flashing a good glove hand.<\/p>\n \u201cAll season every game is an opportunity,\u201d said Tolopilo. \u201cNothing changes to show I can play here.\u201d<\/p>\n With just one home game left the Canucks won\u2019t get to 10 wins at Rogers Arena<\/a>, which seems beyond belief. The franchise record is just 10 victories, but that came in the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season. In a full season, there were only 13 wins in 1976-77, 1977-78, 1989-90.<\/p>\n Regardless, Sasson seemed at a loss to explain how inept the club has been where it needs to win the most.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to figure that out going into next year,\u201d stressed Sasson. \u201cEveryone is a little more tense at home and I have no clue why or what it is. We have to win at home if we\u2019re going to be a good team in this league.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Canucks knew they were in tough Tuesday against a club with a playoff pedigree and trending toward getting its game in order for another postseason run.<\/p>\n \u201cWe played hard against a heavy club that cycles and tries to hold on to pucks and that\u2019s what we ran into,\u201d said Canucks head coach Adam Foote. \u201cA very experienced team that knows how to handle situations. We had some looks at the end.<\/p>\n \u201cWe played a team that\u2019s solid defensively and has been doing it for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n Drew O\u2019Connor (C)<\/p>\n Big speed, big size but quiet night, one shot, three attempts.<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a> (C)<\/p>\n Got Eichel matchup, couldn\u2019t jam home loose puck in crease.<\/p>\n Jake DeBrusk (C)<\/p>\n Chance in dying seconds. Deflected O\u2019Connor shot over bar.<\/p>\n Liam Ohgren (C-)<\/p>\n Two shot blocks but lost Smith at blue-line on winning goal.<\/p>\n Marco Rossi (C)<\/p>\n Saw lots of Marner which was tough, good power play chance.<\/p>\n Brock Boeser<\/a> (C)<\/p>\n Four shot attempts, three hits, tough go against Marner line.<\/p>\n Max Sasson (C+)<\/p>\n Speed was key to get into position to snipe 13th goal season.<\/p>\n Teddy Blueger<\/a> (C+)<\/p>\n Big reason penalty kill is vastly improved, set up Sasson goal.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Linus Karlsson (C)<\/p>\n Didn\u2019t play to his strength. No net presence, just one shot.<\/p>\n Curtis Douglas (C)<\/p>\n Cross-check minor in first as Hoglander was being harassed.<\/p>\n Aatu Raty (C+)<\/p>\n Not a great night in the faceoff dot, but two good scoring chances.<\/p>\n Nils Hoglander<\/a> (C)<\/p>\n Lots of try. Three hits, no shots in measured fourth-line minutes.<\/p>\n Defence<\/p>\n Zeev Buium (C+)<\/p>\n Drew high-sticking minor with strong wall play. Better boxing out.<\/p>\n Filip Hronek<\/a> (B+)<\/p>\n Solid. Easily stripped puck off Dorofeyev on back check. Six hits.<\/p>\n Marcus Pettersson (C+)<\/p>\n Simple was solution. Better passes out of own zone, two blocks.<\/p>\n Victor Mancini (C)<\/p>\n Didn\u2019t chase game but minus-2, turnstiled by Sissons for Grade A.<\/p>\n Elias Pettersson<\/a> (C+)<\/p>\n Strong play along the walls, not losing his way in defensive zone.<\/p>\n Tom Willander (C+)<\/p>\n Picked spots to pinch without getting caught up ice. Two blocks.<\/p>\n Goal<\/p>\n Nikita Tolopilo (A)<\/p>\n Square, solid. calm. Trio of sharp saves in the first set right tone.<\/p>\n bkuzma@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks Preview: Why ‘frustrated’ Brock Boeser bemoans lack of team structure<\/p>\n![\"Vegas](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/cp176108017_302472529.jpg\")
Vegas Golden Knights’ Brandon Saad, front left, redirects the puck with his stick in front of Vancouver Canucks goalie Nikita Tolopilo during the first period at Rogers Arena on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The Knights won 2-1. Photo by Darryl Dyck \/THE CANADIAN PRESSArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.9.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Vancouver Canucks\u2019 Zeev Buium (24) skates with the puck away from Vegas Golden Knights\u2019 Mitch Marner (93) during the second period at Rogers Arena on Tuesday night Photo by Darryl Dyck \/THE CANADIAN PRESSREPORT CARDSForwards<\/p>\n![\"Brock](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1775648103_807_2255586551_300737990.jpg\")
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