Cootes, Mancini, and Höglander stand out in Canucks’ loss to Kraken

And look at those all-blue pads!

Nils Höglander was absolutely buzzing early on in this one. He got in on the forecheck to create a prime scoring chance for himself after a quick steal, and on his next shift, his work on the forecheck led to the first penalty of the game. Then he won the opening faceoff on the ensuing Canucks power play opportunity! Nils really was doing it all early.

Tolopilo made another great save after another Elias Pettersson pinch that left the Canucks on the wrong end of an odd-man rush.

The Kraken opened the scoring after Arshdeep Bains made a mistake when he made a bad pass to Kiefer Sherwood at the Seattle line on what should have been a clean zone entry for the Canucks. Instead, the Kraken were able to go back the other way in a hurry with a 2-on-1 chance that Eduard Sale made no mistake on.

1-0 Kraken.

Seattle got their first man advantage of the game after Danila Klimovich was called for tripping. The Canucks killed that one off. Shortly after, Nikita Tolopilo made another great save after Sawyer Mynio jumped up when he probably shouldn’t have, leading to a breakaway for Shane Wright.

The Canucks got a five minute power play opportunity late in the period after John Hayden dropped the gloves with Joseph Labate (not before cross checking Labate and and picking up the instigator penalty as well). Labate clinched up with Hayden and did his best to not get punched in the face. The Canucks’ power play couldn’t convert to close out the first, and would be left with a minute and a half to work with to open the second period.

Some takeaways from the first period:

-Braeden Cootes had a very nice sequence in the defensive zone just under five minutes into the frame. He kept his head up, remained calm under pressure, and made a sharp indirect breakout pass to Kiefer Sherwood. Liked Cootes’ first period.
-Really solid showing from Nikita Tolopilo in the opening 20.
-Liking what I’m seeing from Filip Chytil. The zone entries and speed through the neutral zone were there.
-Mancini turned in a solid opening 20. Playing a good physical game without putting himself out of position to chase hits.

Second Period

The Canucks didn’t manage to convert on their power play chance, and they didn’t have to wait long for their next one, as with two seconds remaining on the Hayden penalties, Jaden Schwartz high-sticked Braeden Cootes. The Canucks nearly tied the game on what was their best chance of the game as Jonathan Lekkerimäki let one rip and hit the crossbar behind Joey Daccord.

To this point, the Canucks’ power play was tough to watch, but that all changed when Braeden Cootes made a nifty play — again under pressure — to help the Canucks keep control in the offensive zone. Then, who else but Cootes, made another good play to Victor Mancini, who ripped home his shot to tie this one up.

1-1. 

At the midway point of the second period, Tolopilo made way for Ty Young to enter the game. Big skates to fill, given how well Tolopilo had played in this one. The Kraken scored a few minutes later, and it was hard to blame this one on Young, as the Kraken attacked the zone with speed:

2-1 Kraken. 

Funny enough, that goal is a prime example of the kind of attack the Canucks would like to have, with the defencemen driving up the middle.

Victor Mancini took a holding penalty with just over eight minutes remaining in the second, giving the Kraken their second power play of the game. At the tail end of the power play, Jaden Schwartz roofed one past Ty Young.

3-1 Kraken.

It didn’t take long for Seattle to strike again. This time it was Jani Nyman letting go of a one timer:

4-1. 

Chase Stillman found himself on a breakaway with 15 seconds left in the second after Joe Labate stapled Adam Larsson to the boards. Stillman, wearing brother Riley’s old number 61, moved in on the right and got Daccord to open up before sliding the puck five-hole.

4-2.

Some takeaways from the second period:

-Victor Mancini was good in this one, and it’s always nice to see a player get rewarded with a goal when that’s the case.
-Good to see Tom Willander get some penalty killing reps.
-Honestly, it was pretty impressive how long the Canucks stayed in this game, given the gap between how many more NHL regulars the home Kraken dressed compared to the Canucks.
-Definitely a 2025 preseason debut period to forget for Ty Young.

Third Period

The Kraken scored on a faceoff play that the Canucks will certainly be going over in the video room at some point:

5-2. 

The Canucks answered back just under five minutes later, as Joe Labate made a nice pass to Nils Aman, who made no mistake in tapping home the puck to bring the Canucks within two.

5-3 Kraken.

The Canucks really turned up the pressure on the Kraken down the stretch in this one. Again, Seattle had a better lineup tonight, and the fight the Canucks showed despite that and despite being down in this one was admirable.

The Canucks picked up their fifth power play of the game as Chase Stillman moved in on the forecheck and forced Adam Larsson to get in his way. On the ensuing power play, Braeden Cootes once again showed off his offensive upside and comfort level with the puck on his stick. Although the Canucks didn’t score, it was another great-looking sequence for their 2025 first-round pick.

A sixth power play went the Canucks’ way with 1:30 remaining in the third after Nils Höglander drew a tripping call.

The Canucks battled and made this an entertaining hockey game, but ultimately fell by a final score of 5-3.

What’s your instant reaction to this game?