Post by : Maya Rahman

The Vancouver Canucks delivered an electrifying performance on Sunday, overturning a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2. The late-game surge included six unanswered goals, with three coming within a stunning 100 seconds in the third period, showcasing their incredible resilience.

Playing in Tampa, where they hadn’t secured a win since October 2018, the Canucks faced a dominant Lightning team that spent much of the match controlling the play and creating more scoring opportunities. Despite their sluggish start, Vancouver ignited their offense as the third period began.

The Lightning opened the scoring late in the first, with Nikita Kucherov striking first with a powerful one-timer. This goal marked his 365th career goal, tying him with Martin St. Louis in franchise history. Tampa ended the first with a commanding 13-1 shot advantage, signaling their early dominance.

Continuing to press their advantage, the Lightning extended their lead to 2-0 early in the second period with a goal from Jake Guentzel. Yet, just as things seemed bleak for the Canucks, they responded valiantly. Jake DeBrusk scored during a power play at 9:26, narrowing the gap to 2-1. While they struggled with shots that frame—ending it being outshot 19-7—they maintained hope.

Then came the turning point. Vancouver broke through Tampa Bay’s defense early in the third. Kiefer Sherwood netted a power-play goal at 4:11, leveling the score. Just 43 seconds later, Linus Karlsson pushed the Canucks ahead before Drew O’Connor added another less than a minute later. The quick-fire three-goal sequence stunned the Lightning and left their fans in disbelief.

With Captain Quinn Hughes back in action, the Canucks surged ahead as he racked up four assists—equaling a career high. One assist set up Mackenzie MacEachern for his first goal of the season, further extending Vancouver’s lead. Hughes has proven to be an indispensable asset for the team.

Jake DeBrusk sealed the deal with an empty-net goal, marking his seventh of the season. The Canucks' Kevin Lankinen stood strong, making 28 saves while navigating the intense pressure Tampa applied in previous periods.

Although Tampa Bay had another goal overturned after a high-stick challenge by Vancouver, the final score remained 6-2 in favor of the Canucks. This victory marked the end of their winless streak and showcased their tenacity and determination.

For the Lightning, it was a frustrating outcome after their initial dominance. Despite notable plays from Kucherov and Guentzel, they couldn't contain Vancouver's explosive third-period resurgence.

This game stands out as a remarkable comeback for the Canucks, illustrating how swiftly momentum can shift in hockey.

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