1. Sports
2. Hockey
3. NHL
4. Vancouver Canucks

Canucks Schedule: Troika of trouble awaits, including return of Quinn Hughes

'It's the way we're giving up points and goals. It continues to frustrate the group, but a lot of the things we see are fixable' — Manny Malhotra

Published Oct 19, 2026  •  Last updated 1 day ago  •  4 minute read

Minnesota Wild superstar defenceman Quinn Hughes will get more jeers than cheers next Sunday when the former Vancouver Canucks captain returns to Rogers Arena for first time since Dec. 12, 2025 trade. Photo by Michael Reaves /Getty Images

The Carolina Hurricanes are dominant, the Detroit Red Wings desperate and the Minnesota Wild dangerous.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

• Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
• Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
• The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
• Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
• Support local journalism.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

• Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
• Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
• The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
• Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
• Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account.
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
• Enjoy additional articles per month.
• Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
• Enjoy additional articles per month
• Get email updates from your favourite authors

A troika of trouble awaits the Vancouver Canucks this week after a gruelling six-game road trip that exposed problems and potential, but produced just one point amid opportunities to claim at least a pair of victories.

Unless there’s a marked improvement in special-teams play, defending and remaining engaged for a complete game, a seven-game losing streak could be extended on home ice. It’s where mixing in the odd win is imperative for morale and growth in a roster rebuild that’s taking a mental toll.

All fans want is hope. Give them reason to believe.

Nobody said it was going to be easy, but another bad week would put the Canucks perilously close to a franchise record 11-consecutive losses that set a franchise record last season in plunge to the bottom of NHL standings and put the rebuild on fast forward.

Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra has maintained messaging of patience plus purpose and his devotion to driving the process is admirable. Kevin Lankinen gathered his game Saturday with an often spectacular 31-save effort, and the emergence of Leevi Merilainen will allow the stoppers to steal games while under siege.

Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Canucks Report will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Blueliner Elias Pettersson has also taken his confidence and game to another level, but over-riding problems continue to persist.

Sustaining momentum to protect or build on early leads — 2-0 Saturday in Tampa, 2-0 Thursday in Florida — and an inability to shut down top players who have struck for hat-tricks in Evan Bouchard, Logan Stankoven, Brady Tkachuk and nearly Nikita Kucherov tell a tale of defensive insufficiency.

The Canucks do rank 11th in even-strength goals (18) but 17th on the power play (20 per cent) that was 3-for-17 on the trip. However, the penalty kill is last at just 58.1 per cent and was exposed on the road. Despite two perfect kill nights it went 7-for-15 (46.5 per cent).

“The execution of details within our game,” lamented Malhotra. “We continue to talk and have the non-negotiables — getting in shot lanes, being tougher around our net and face-off details — and we continue to learn lessons the hard way. When you don’t do those things pucks end up in the back of the net.

“It’s the way we’re giving up points and goals. It continues to frustrate the group, but a lot of the things we see are fixable. They’re self-inflicted wounds. The answers have to come from within the room.”

The mood in the locker-room is understandable. Hard to remain upbeat when you’re not in games or allow rare win opportunities to slip away.

“Most games we have some good stretches but it’s not good enough,” said winger Linus Karlsson, who opened scoring in the 4-2 loss at Tampa. “We need to find something here, 60 good minutes. We need more of a team effort and to battle harder. It’s time to learn everything.”

Here’s what awaits in the next seven days:

When and where: Tuesday, 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena

TV: Sportsnet Pacific. Radio: Kiss 104.9 FM

What to watch: The Canucks were reminded in a 7-2 pummelling by the Hurricanes to open a six-game trip why they have the pedigree of a Stanley Cup champion, despite a seven-game win streak halted Sunday in 3-2 loss at Calgary. They forecheck relentlessly, clog up the neutral zone, and have quick-strike capability to be ranked sixth on offence and the power play.

Who to watch: Andrei Svechnikov

Big winger, strong stride, hard to move. Struck for two power-play goals in 2:14 against the Canucks on Oct. 8. Already has three man-advantage tallies to go with his six goals and 11 points through 10 games.

Prediction: Canucks come out strong on home ice, Hurricanes respond in third game in four nights, and prevail 4-2.

When and where: Thursday, 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena

TV: Sportsnet Pacific. Radio: Kiss 104.9 FM

What to watch: Red Wings may be soon without captain Dylan Larkin. He requested a trade, sat out, and is reluctantly playing amid rumours he’ll be dealt to Montreal. He would give the Canadiens needed depth down the middle to contend with league heavyweights. Larkin has played just five playoff games in 11 seasons.

Who to watch: Alex DeBrincat

Early returns on seven-year, $US91 million contact extension that kicks in next season. The shifty, sharpshooting winger has five goals and nine points in eight games. Had career high 41 goals and 85 assists last season.

Prediction: There for the taking. Wings struggling to stay at .500, Canucks maintain urgency and prevail 4-3.

When and where: Sunday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena

TV: Sportsnet Pacific. Radio: Kiss 104.9 FM

What to watch: It could start in the warm-up skate, will definitely grow louder the first time former Canucks captain touches the puck and likely won’t die down. Obvious disdain and hard feelings about an unwillingness to commit long term to this franchise.

Who to watch: Quinn Hughes

We know his name, his game, and fame as Norris Trophy winner. He’s that get-out-of-jail free card to trigger the transition with sublime edge work, laser-like passes, and QB’s the second-ranked PP. Has 12 points (2-10) in nine games, second among all blueliners, and averaging 26:44 per outing.

Prediction: Incentive for former Wild players Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, but Minny finds a way in 4-2 win.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

1. 
   Vancouver Canucks
2. 
   Vancouver Canucks
3. 
   News
4. 
   News
5. 
   Columnists