Kiefer Sherwood’s electric hat trick propelled the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-3 shootout victory over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night. The hard-nosed winger scored all three of Vancouver’s regulation goals, part of a scoring surge that has seen him tally nine goals through 12 games of the 2025 season. Jake DeBrusk scored the decisive goal in the third round of the shootout, sealing the extra point for a Canucks team that had dropped four of their previous five games.
The win came at a cost, as Brock Boeser exited 33 seconds into the contest after a shot to the midsection from Elias Pettersson. Kevin Lankinen stopped 36 shots, while Sherwood’s two-way play and timely scoring kept Vancouver competitive in a back-and-forth affair at Enterprise Center.
Sherwood’s breakout season continues with dominant three-goal performance
Kiefer Sherwood’s transformation from role player to offensive catalyst has been one of the most surprising storylines of the early 2025 campaign. His hat trick against St. Louis marked his ninth goal of the season, leading the Canucks in scoring as the team navigates through their first quarter of the schedule. The 29-year-old winger showcased the complete package that has made him indispensable to head coach Rick Tocchet’s lineup.
Sherwood’s first goal tied the game at 1-1 on a power-play redirect. The second came on a breakaway, lifting the puck over the goalie to even the score at 2-2. The third goal, a shot from a tight angle, gave Vancouver their first lead at 3-2.
Sherwood’s five-shot night produced three goals and four hits, underscoring a complete two-way performance. With contract discussions looming, outings like this bolster his negotiating position.
Blues’ struggles continue despite offensive push
The Blues entered the night riding a five-game skid and dropped to 3-6-2 on the season despite outshooting Vancouver 39-19. Dylan Holloway opened the scoring for St. Louis, and rookie Jimmy Snuggerud extended the lead before Pius Suter tied the game late in regulation. Jordan Binnington made 15 saves but was beaten in the shootout by DeBrusk. St. Louis coach Jim Montgomery’s squad remains unable to close out tight games.
DeBrusk delivers in the shootout as Lankinen shines
Jake DeBrusk scored the lone shootout goal in the third round, securing the Canucks’ win. Lankinen stopped two of three shootout attempts and finished with 36 saves, keeping Vancouver in contention throughout the game.
Lankinen’s save percentage remained solid as Vancouver improved to 6-6-0 on the season.
Boeser injury casts shadow over Canucks’ victory
Boeser left the game 33 seconds into the opening period after a midsection shot. He was ruled out for the remainder of the contest as Vancouver reassessed his status, adding concern for the Canucks’ forward depth. The team plans to await further evaluation before determining the severity and timeline for his return.
Sherwood’s heroics helped Vancouver overcome Boeser’s absence, with other players stepping up to support the offense.
Looking ahead: what this win means for Vancouver
The 4-3 shootout victory improves Vancouver to 6-6-0, keeping them within striking distance of the .500 mark in the Pacific Division. The Canucks will look to build momentum in their next game against Minnesota, while the Blues prepare for a visit to Columbus. Sherwood’s emergence as a scoring threat provides a new dimension to Vancouver’s offense as the season progresses.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.