Canucks 3 up 3 down: Hughes Pettersson defensive struggles define Vancouver's rocky November

The Vancouver Canucks continue to alternate wins and losses like a metronome, sitting at a mediocre 9-10-2 for 20 points through 21 games. This record leaves them seventh in the Pacific Division, well behind last season’s pace when they hit 90 points and missed the playoffs. The alarming truth is that Vancouver hasn’t won consecutive games since early October, when they briefly flashed potential with a three-game winning streak against Dallas, Chicago, and Washington. While the Pacific Division remains relatively weak—Anaheim leads with 27 points and Los Angeles holds third with 24—the Canucks can’t afford to keep playing catch-up. The margin for error is shrinking fast, and unless something changes dramatically, conversations will shift from playoff positioning to draft lottery odds. Adam Foote’s squad is at a crossroads, with elite talent showing flashes of brilliance while systemic defensive breakdowns threaten to torpedo the entire season.

Plus one: Elias Pettersson finally finding his scoring touch

Elias Pettersson is starting to resemble the player who once had Vancouver dreaming of championships. The Swedish centre has erupted for three goals in his last four games, all coming on the recent road trip, and is riding a four-game point streak with eight points in that span. His six goals and 19 points through 21 games put him on pace for 74 points—a massive improvement over last season’s disappointing 45-point campaign. While it’s not quite the 90-100 point season fans hoped for, the trajectory is encouraging.

Pettersson’s impact extends beyond the scoresheet. He’s blocking shots at an impressive rate and taking a staggering number of faceoffs, pushing himself into early Selke Trophy conversations. His defensive awareness and two-way commitment remain elite, even as his offensive game rounds into form. The centre admitted after the Florida game that the team needs to tighten up defensively, saying, “I think just as a team, we’ve got to tighten up defensively. Especially when we score a lot of goals. Like, we should be able to win games when we score five times.”

The internal dynamics are fascinating to watch. As Pettersson shines in overtime losses, his leadership role expands beyond production. He’s actively mentoring younger teammates, helping them recognize successful plays and areas needing improvement. This dual impact—elite performance plus veteran guidance—might be exactly what Vancouver needs to navigate their early-season turbulence.

Minus one: Defensive disaster at five-on-five

If Pettersson’s resurgence represents hope, Vancouver’s five-on-five defence represents pure despair. The Canucks rank dead last in the NHL in scoring chances allowed (501) and high-danger chances surrendered (236). This isn’t a small sample size blip—this is systemic failure across 21 games. Head coach Adam Foote and assistant Kevin Dean were supposed to be defensive gurus, yet their team looks lost in their own zone.

The problems compound across all situations. Vancouver allows the second-most goals against in the league (77), a number that ballooned after Sunday’s 8-5 debacle against Florida. The goaltending duo of Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen has been the only reason this team isn’t buried at the bottom with Calgary and Buffalo. Without their heroics, the Canucks would likely be looking at a record far worse than 9-10-2.

What’s particularly concerning is how these defensive struggles manifest. The team collapses around their net, leaving prime scoring areas wide open. Opposing forwards roam the slot unchecked, creating a shooting gallery that would overwhelm any goaltender. The structure that made Vancouver competitive last season has evaporated, replaced by chaotic scrambles and broken assignments. If they can’t solve this, no amount of offensive firepower will matter.

Plus two: Quinn Hughes rediscovers his swagger

While the defence suffers collectively, Quinn Hughes has personally rediscovered his magic. The captain has been nothing short of spectacular, posting an astounding 10 points in his last three games. This explosion catapulted him to third among NHL defencemen in scoring, just five points behind his rival Cale Makar. For a player who missed five games with injury, his 20 points in 16 games represent elite production.

Hughes himself acknowledged his slow start, telling media on November 19 that he felt something was slightly off. “I liked my game earlier, I really did,” he reflected. “But maybe there was, like, a per cent or two missing—just a little bit of swagger. Just a little bit cleaner on some touches in the O-zone, where I would have been normally.” This self-awareness speaks to his maturity as captain. He recognized the microscopic gap between good and great, then elevated his play accordingly.

Now Hughes is doing “Quinn Hughes things” again—dancing through defenders, controlling possession, and facilitating offense from the blue line. His ability to quarterback the power play and drive five-on-five creation makes him indispensable. As news and rumors swirl around Vancouver, Hughes’ consistency becomes even more critical. The Canucks go as their captain goes, and right now, he’s carrying them.

Minus two: Historic penalty kill incompetence

Vancouver’s penalty kill isn’t just bad—it’s historically bad. The unit sits at 67.1 percent success rate, worst in the NHL, having surrendered 25 power-play goals, six more than the second-worst team. They’ve allowed multiple power-play goals in eight of 21 games and have only posted shutouts in five contests. At this pace, they’re threatening to break the 1979-80 Los Angeles Kings’ record for worst penalty kill percentage (68.2 percent) and the Canucks’ own franchise low of 70.5 percent from 1984-85.

The collapse is stunning given last season’s success. The 2024-25 Canucks finished third in penalty kill efficiency at 82.7 percent, and they were the league’s best from January onward. What changed? Personnel losses explain part of the problem. Pius Suter left in free agency, while Teddy Blueger and Derek Forbort have combined for just four games due to injury. However, the remaining core—Marcus Pettersson, Tyler Myers, Kiefer Sherwood, Drew O’Connor—has drastically underperformed.

Micah Blake McCurdy’s visualizations from HockeyViz tell the damning story. Last season, the Canucks controlled the slot, forcing opponents to shoot from the perimeter and crease area. This year, the slot is an open highway, with “large brown stains” indicating a shooting gallery from the most dangerous ice. The left side looks particularly vulnerable, correlating with Forbort’s absence and Marcus Pettersson’s regression. The team is allowing over two more expected goals against per 60 minutes than last season, and the actual goals against rate has more than doubled—from 0.48 per game to 1.06.

Plus three: Jake DeBrusk’s power-play brilliance

Amidst the defensive chaos, Jake DeBrusk continues his love affair with the man advantage. The winger has eight goals this season, with six coming in November alone. Five of those have been power-play markers, giving him seven total with the extra man, second only to Wyatt Johnston league-wide. DeBrusk has been held off the scoresheet just three times in nine November games, riding a heater that saw him score five goals in six contests.

This production puts DeBrusk on pace for his first 30-goal season, though his assist total (just two helpers) needs improvement to avoid a career-low in points. The concern is his five-on-five impact, or lack thereof. Vancouver ranks last in expected goals percentage at even strength (42.76 percent) and second-last in Corsi for percentage (43.87 percent). DeBrusk’s even-strength contributions must increase if the Canucks want balanced scoring.

Still, his power-play chemistry with Hughes is undeniable. The captain’s vision from the point finds DeBrusk in prime scoring positions, and the winger’s release is as quick as any in the league. When Vancouver earns a power play, they have legitimate weapons. The problem is they spend too much time killing penalties and not enough time drawing them.

Minus three: Injuries decimating the lineup

The injury bug hasn’t just bitten Vancouver—it’s staging a full-scale invasion. While Conor Garland’s return to practice offers minor relief, the list remains daunting. Derek Forbort hasn’t played since October 11 and remains out indefinitely. Nils Hoglander, sidelined since preseason, is approaching the 10-week mark of his initial 8-10 week timeline. Teddy Blueger suffered a setback in his recovery and is only hoping to skate soon.

The goaltending situation remains murky. Thatcher Demko was initially reported to miss 2-3 weeks on November 12, but general manager Patrik Allvin only offered “week-to-week” status without a concrete timeline. Filip Chytil is skating in Vancouver but has been “in and out” of practice. With seven players on injured reserve—including minor leaguers Jett Woo and Guillaume Brisebois—the Canucks are playing shorthanded before the puck even drops.

This personnel crisis directly impacts the defensive problems. Forbort and Blueger were supposed to anchor the penalty kill. Hoglander’s speed and offensive creativity are sorely missed in middle-six minutes. The absence of reliable depth forces Foote to overplay youngsters who aren’t ready for heavy NHL minutes, exacerbating the systemic breakdowns. Until the roster gets healthier, it’s difficult to envision significant improvement.

What it means for Vancouver’s playoff hopes

The Canucks stand at a critical juncture. Their elite talent—Hughes, Pettersson, and DeBrusk—can score with anyone, but the defensive foundation is crumbling. The penalty kill is historically inept, five-on-five play is chaotic, and injuries prevent lineup consistency. Vancouver is seventh in the Pacific, but only four points out of a playoff spot. The division is weak enough that a winning streak could completely change the picture.

Foote remains optimistic about the teaching opportunities these struggles present. Playing against Carolina’s relentless pressure, Tampa’s neutral zone trap, and Florida’s aggressive forecheck in rapid succession gave his young players a crash course in playoff-style hockey. “It was great to go through that and learn,” he noted. “Like, this is what playoff hockey is.” The experience, while painful now, could pay dividends later.

The timeline is tight. With six of their next nine games on the road, practice time to fix the penalty kill will be scarce. Demko’s return could stabilize the goaltending, but he can’t stop everything. Forbort and Blueger’s eventual comeback should help the penalty kill, but two players alone can’t fix structural issues. The Canucks need their stars to continue dominating while the supporting cast finds its footing.

If Hughes maintains his swagger, Pettersson keeps scoring, and DeBrusk stays hot, Vancouver has enough offensive firepower to stay relevant. But unless the defensive systems get fixed—and fast—these individual successes will be meaningless. The Canucks are scoring enough to win most nights. They’re just giving up more. That’s not a recipe for playoff hockey, no matter how weak the division looks today.