Pettersson shines as Canucks fall to Hurricanes in overtime

The Vancouver Canucks continued their recent struggles on Friday night, falling 4-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes in overtime at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Despite a valiant effort from goaltender Kevin Lankinen and contributions from Elias Pettersson, Max Sasson, and Conor Garland, the Canucks couldn’t hold onto a third-period lead as Sebastian Aho’s late overtime winner extended their losing streak to three games. The defeat leaves Vancouver with an 8-9-2 record as they search for answers on their current road trip.

The game showcased both the promise and the problems facing the Canucks this season. While they managed to build leads twice and showed resilience in battling back against one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams, defensive lapses and an inability to close out games continue to plague them. For Carolina, the victory marked their fourth consecutive overtime win this season, improving their record to 12-5-0 and cementing their position as one of the NHL’s most dangerous teams in three-on-three situations.

Pettersson shines in multi-point performance for the Canucks

Elias Pettersson delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, recording a goal and an assist in the loss. His short-handed goal at 9:14 of the first period tied the game 2-2 and demonstrated the offensive awareness that has made him one of Vancouver’s most valuable players. After Carolina defenseman Sean Walker mishandled a backhand pass in his own zone, Pettersson pounced on the turnover and fired a shot from the top of the slot past Pyotr Kochetkov’s blocker.

The Swedish center’s ability to capitalize on mistakes was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult night for Vancouver. His defensive reads and quick release were on full display, reminding fans why the team invested heavily in his future. With 472 career points, Pettersson passed Tony Tanti (470) for sole possession of eighth place in Canucks franchise history, adding another milestone to his growing legacy.

“I don’t know if their player missed the pass a little bit, but I got a good chance to score on a shot,” Pettersson said after the game. “I like our fight, I like our compete. I think overall our game is good, but maybe there are some small details we can work on.”

His assessment captured the essence of Vancouver’s current situation. The effort level has been there, but the execution in crucial moments hasn’t matched the intensity. Against a team like Carolina that generates relentless offensive pressure, those small details become magnified. The Canucks need Pettersson to continue performing at this level if they hope to climb back into playoff contention.

Beyond the statistics, Pettersson’s leadership and composure under pressure were evident throughout the contest. He finished with quality minutes in all situations, contributing on special teams and providing steady two-way play. As the Vancouver Canucks at Carolina Hurricanes projected lineup and key stats for November 14, 2025 suggested before the game, his performance would be critical to the team’s chances.

Lankinen stands tall despite overtime heartbreak in Vancouver Canucks vs Carolina Hurricanes game recap

Kevin Lankinen was nothing short of spectacular for the Canucks, making 34 saves and keeping his team in the game against a Carolina offensive onslaught. The Hurricanes dominated puck possession for large stretches, registering 38 total shots and an astounding 94 shot attempts according to tracking data. Without Lankinen’s stellar performance, this game could have gotten out of hand early.

The Finnish netminder faced constant pressure throughout all three periods and overtime, making several highlight-reel saves to preserve Vancouver’s chances. He tracked pucks through traffic, controlled his rebounds effectively, and demonstrated the calm demeanor that has made him a reliable option between the pipes this season. His three saves in overtime before Aho’s winner were particularly impressive, denying quality chances and giving his team opportunities to secure two points.

“We played against a really good hockey team,” noted interim head coach Adam Foote. “They’re fast, they forecheck really hard. We’re going to learn a lot from a game like that. It’s the closest you’ll see to a playoff game that we’ve had so far.”

Lankinen’s workload continues to be substantial as Vancouver navigates its goaltending situation. His ability to steal points in difficult road environments will be crucial for the Canucks as they attempt to turn their season around. The 34 saves represented another workmanlike performance from a goaltender who has consistently given his team a chance to win.

The overtime period saw Lankinen make desperation saves as Carolina controlled the play for much of the extra frame. When Aho finally beat him with 31 seconds remaining on a snap shot from the right circle, it wasn’t due to any fault of the goaltender. The Finnish netminder had done everything possible to secure at least one point for his struggling team, and his efforts earned praise from teammates and coaching staff alike.

Sasson’s early strike provides glimpse of offensive potential

Max Sasson opened the scoring just 2:45 into the first period, capitalizing on a fortunate bounce to give Vancouver an early 1-0 lead. After Carolina’s Shayne Gostisbehere collided with Canucks forward Mackenzie MacEachern near the blue line, the puck squirted loose to Sasson, who quickly moved into the offensive zone and beat Kochetkov through the five-hole from the top of the slot.

The goal was Sasson’s third of the season and showcased the shooting skills he’s been developing at the NHL level. “That’s a shot I work on a lot. I like to go five-hole,” Sasson explained post-game. “I thought when we advanced pucks, we got a lot of odd-man rushes. They’re super aggressive.”

His assessment of Carolina’s aggressive forecheck was accurate, and his ability to recognize and exploit the opening demonstrated hockey IQ beyond his years. For a young player trying to establish himself in the league, these moments of individual skill are crucial building blocks. Sasson’s quick release and willingness to shoot when opportunities present themselves are traits the Canucks need more of from their depth forwards.

The early goal energized the Canucks and set the tone for what would become a back-and-forth affair. While Sasson finished the night with limited ice time compared to the team’s top players, his contribution was significant. In a league where scoring is at a premium, players who can capitalize on limited chances become valuable assets.

For Vancouver, developing young players like Sasson while competing for a playoff spot creates a delicate balancing act. His performance against Carolina suggested he belongs at this level and can contribute meaningfully when given opportunities. As the season progresses, expect to see Sasson earn more responsibility if he continues converting chances at this rate.

Svechnikov’s dominant performance powers Carolina’s comeback

While the Canucks had their moments, the game ultimately belonged to Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov, who recorded two goals and an assist in a dominant three-point performance. The Russian winger scored twice in a 54-second span during the first period, erasing Vancouver’s early lead and giving the Hurricanes a 2-1 advantage. His first goal at 4:20 came off a beautiful setup from Aho, with Svechnikov finishing a one-timer from the right circle.

His second tally at 5:14 came on the power play, again from his favorite spot in the right circle. The consistency of his offensive positioning and his lethal one-timer made him nearly unstoppable when given space. “I always try to work on my slap shot,” Svechnikov said. “I changed my stick a couple weeks ago, so that’s why [a few goals] are going in.”

The inadvertent injury to teammate Seth Jarvis, caused when Svechnikov’s stick caught him in the face during a scrum behind the Vancouver net, put a damper on his otherwise stellar evening. Jarvis left at 5:09 of the first period and didn’t return, though Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour indicated he doesn’t expect the absence to be lengthy.

Svechnikov’s three-point night highlighted the depth of offensive talent Carolina possesses. Even with injuries to key players, the Hurricanes can roll line after line of skilled forwards capable of generating scoring chances. His chemistry with Gostisbehere, who assisted on both goals, provided a constant threat that Lankinen and the Canucks’ defense struggled to contain.

For Vancouver, containing elite offensive players like Svechnikov remains a challenge. The defensive breakdowns that allowed him time and space in dangerous areas reflected broader systematic issues that have plagued the team during this losing streak. As the Hurricanes rally to beat Canucks 4-3 in overtime behind Aho and Svechnikov coverage detailed, Carolina’s ability to exploit these openings proved decisive.

Aho’s overtime winner extends Carolina’s perfect record in three-on-three

Sebastian Aho’s overtime winner with just 31 seconds remaining capped an improbable Carolina comeback and improved the Hurricanes to a perfect 4-0 in overtime this season. The Finnish center won a face-off in the right circle back to Gostisbehere, who quickly returned the puck. Aho then used the extra time and space afforded by three-on-three hockey to snap a shot far-side past Lankinen from the right face-off circle.

“That’s definitely not a set play, but it’s kind of how it worked,” Aho explained. “But that’s 3-on-3. In overtime, you’ve got more time and space, and I was able to use it.”

The goal was Aho’s 17th career overtime winner, tying him with Ilya Kovalchuk and Mark Scheifele for seventh place in NHL history. His clutch gene and ability to perform in high-pressure situations continue to make him one of the league’s most underrated stars. For the Canucks, surrendering yet another late goal in a close game extended a frustrating pattern that has defined their recent play.

Carolina’s dominance in three-on-three situations this season stems from their abundance of skilled, fast forwards who excel in open ice. Aho, Svechnikov, and the supporting cast all possess the skating ability and offensive creativity to create scoring chances when space opens up. Their perfect record in overtime isn’t luck—it’s a reflection of roster construction and tactical execution.

For Vancouver, the loss represented another missed opportunity to gain ground in the competitive Pacific Division. Earning one point is better than none, but against a strong Eastern Conference opponent on the road, securing two points would have provided a significant boost to team morale and playoff positioning. Instead, the Canucks head to Tampa Bay on Sunday still searching for answers and desperately needing to stop the bleeding before their season slips away.

The game ultimately showcased the fine margins between winning and losing at the NHL level. Vancouver competed hard, received strong goaltending from Lankinen, and got timely offense from Pettersson and Sasson. Yet Carolina’s relentless pressure, opportunistic finishing, and perfect execution in overtime proved to be the difference. As both teams move forward, this game recap will serve as a reminder that in hockey, doing almost enough often still results in defeat. The Canucks must find a way to turn competitive performances into victories if they hope to salvage their season, while Carolina continues to establish itself as one of the Eastern Conference’s most dangerous teams.

With Taylor Hall contributing on his 34th birthday and Gostisbehere recording three assists in his second game back from injury, the Hurricanes’ depth and resilience remain their greatest strengths heading into a Saturday matchup with Edmonton.