Vancouver Canucks News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

Canucks News & Rumours: Pettersson, Rossi, Boeser & Lankinen

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 1:25 PM ET

The Vancouver Canucks finally had a night where the puck seemed to bounce their way. They beat the Florida Panthers 5-2 at Rogers Arena on Tuesday, with forward Elias Pettersson ending a 20-game goal drought and scoring his 200th career NHL goal. The first period set the tone; Pettersson scored on the power play to make it 1-0, the Panthers tied it up, but Pettersson struck again to put the Canucks ahead for good.

It wasn’t just Pettersson lighting the lamp. Marco Rossi added a goal and two assists, and Brock Boeser had three helpers, all while Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves for his first win in 10 starts. For a team that had won just three of its previous 26 games, this felt like a little bit of breathing room. It was a win the Canucks desperately needed and, frankly, a boost to morale.

With the team firmly at the bottom of the NHL, a high draft pick is all but guaranteed. That makes wins like this more about morale than standings, and this one certainly helps.

Item One: Pettersson Breaks the Slump, Hits Milestone

Pettersson hadn’t scored since Jan. 13, and it was starting to feel like this could be a long stretch. Tuesday night, he put an end to it with a pair of power-play goals, the second of which was his 200th in the NHL. “It was definitely nice to see two go in,” Pettersson said, trying to keep it simple. And that’s exactly what he did—quick release, smart shot selection, and he kept the Panthers guessing all night.

Beyond just snapping a slump, Pettersson’s 200th goal puts him in some elite company. He’s the 10th Canucks player and the sixth-fastest Swedish player to reach the mark. But the bigger takeaway? When Pettersson finds his groove, the Canucks can play at a different level.

From Rossi and Boeser feeding him the puck to the team executing on the power play, the team looked crisp and sharp. There’s hope that some of this energy can carry through the final stretch of the season.

Item Two: Marco Rossi and Brock Boeser Step Up

Rossi and Boeser were the unsung heroes of this one. Rossi’s goal came from a smart backhand deke after Boeser won a battle along the boards—perfect execution in tight space. He’s now on a three-game point streak, and it’s encouraging to see him consistently finding ways to create offence. Boeser, meanwhile, was the playmaker, racking up three assists and moving the puck with confidence, including a clean feed to Rossi that led to a goal.

Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin watch as forward Marco Rossi scores on goalie Brandon Bussi (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

This duo shows what the Canucks need more of: smart, quick plays in front of the net and someone willing to battle for pucks. Against a team like Florida, which has some serious firepower, creating chances off the rush and exploiting defensive lapses can make the difference. It’s the type of team play the Canucks have rarely shown this season, and it was refreshing to see.

Item Three: Lankinen Gets a Much-Needed Win

For Lankinen, this was a night to remember. His first win in 10 starts finally gives him a little breathing room and, maybe more importantly, confidence. He faced a modest 21 shots, but the early period power-play goals were enough to test him. Lankinen handled it calmly, kept his rebounds in check, and let his teammates play in front of him.

It’s not just about stats—winning goalies help set a tone for the team. Lankinen’s composure and ability to manage the crease gave Vancouver a chance to attack, and that confidence showed in the second and third periods. If the Canucks can build around him, there’s potential for a late-season push that doesn’t feel like a lost cause.

What’s Next for the Canucks?

This win was a reminder that the Canucks can still be dangerous at home. Special teams executed, Pettersson looked alive, and Rossi and Boeser showed creativity. Florida made mistakes in front of their own net, and Vancouver made them pay. That’s hockey at its simplest: capitalize on opportunity and keep the pressure up.

The question now is consistency. The Canucks have shown flashes all season, but they’ve struggled to put it together game after game. If Tuesday night can be a blueprint—move the puck, traffic the net, and trust your top guys—the final stretch of the season might not just be about salvaging pride. There’s a chance to actually make noise.

As a fun note, forward Nolan Foote, the son of Canucks head coach Adam Foote, made his Panthers debut, playing 8:23.