Lankinen Leads Canucks to 3-2 Shootout Victory Over Blackhawks After Late Comeback

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The Vancouver Canucks fought back from a two-goal deficit to edge the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in a thrilling shootout win at the United Center on Friday. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen was the star of the night, making 31 saves and stopping all four shootout attempts to seal the victory for Vancouver.

Lankinen’s Heroics Secure the Win

Lankinen, calm and composed under pressure, embraced the challenge of the shootout.
“I kind of like shootouts — it’s one-on-one, just battle mode,” he said. “We had a slow start, but the guys fought hard till the end. I’m proud we pulled it off.”

The win came just a day after Vancouver’s 5-3 triumph over the Dallas Stars, capping off a successful back-to-back stretch.

Canucks Rally After Early Struggles

The Canucks started sluggishly, likely worn from travel and consecutive games. However, they gained momentum as the match progressed.

Jake DeBrusk and Max Sasson each scored to bring Vancouver back from a 2-0 deficit.
Brock Boeser then delivered the decisive shootout goal in the fourth round, securing Vancouver’s third win of the season (3-2-0).

“The first back-to-back is always tricky,” head coach Adam Foote admitted. “We didn’t have our legs early, but the team kept pushing. I liked the way we responded.”

Blackhawks Falter After Early Lead

For the Chicago Blackhawks (2-2-2), it was a night of missed opportunities. They jumped ahead 2-0 but couldn’t sustain their intensity.

Ryan Donato opened the scoring at 12:41 of the first period with a power-play goal, tapping in a pass from Andre Burakovsky.
Tyler Bertuzzi extended the lead to 2-0 late in the first, scoring off a rebound after Sam Rinzel’s shot.

But Chicago’s strong start quickly faded.
“They were tired from a back-to-back — we should’ve closed it out,” said head coach Jeff Blashill. “We got too passive in the second period and gave them life.”

Canucks Mount Their Comeback

The momentum shifted midway through the second period.
At 6:49, DeBrusk put Vancouver on the board with a power-play goal, chipping a quick pass from Conor Garland past Chicago goalie Spencer Knight.

Then at 13:42, Sasson tied the game 2-2, slipping the puck into an open net off a feed from Filip Hronek — his second goal in as many nights.

“I thought Knight played really well,” Foote noted. “We had to work for those dirty goals in front of the net. But I’m happy with how we battled back.”

Controversial Moment in the Third

Chicago thought they had regained the lead when Bertuzzi scored again at 14:48 of the third period. However, the goal was disallowed for goaltender interference.
The Blackhawks challenged the ruling, but after video review, the call on the ice stood — a crucial moment that kept the game tied heading into overtime.

Lankinen Shines in Shootout

After a scoreless overtime, the game moved to a shootout where Lankinen was unbeatable. He stopped all four Chicago shooters, while Boeser’s successful attempt sealed the comeback victory for Vancouver.

Key Notes and Stats

• The Canucks extended their winning streak to 11 straight games against the Blackhawks.
  
• Teddy Blueger made his season debut for Vancouver after missing four games due to injury, logging nearly 13 minutes on ice.
  
• The Blackhawks activated Landon Slaggert from injured reserve; he is expected to debut Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks.
  

A Statement Win for Vancouver

Despite fatigue and early setbacks, the Canucks showed grit and composure. With Lankinen’s stellar goaltending and the team’s never-quit attitude, Vancouver once again proved why they’ve dominated Chicago in recent matchups.

The comeback victory not only extends their streak but also sets a strong tone for the season ahead.