The Unlikely Hero of Vancouver: Kevin Lankinen’s Rise to Prominence
Ah, the Vancouver Canucks – a team that’s been making waves in the NHL, and not just because of their questionable fashion sense. No, no, I’m talking about their stellar performance on the ice, thanks in no small part to the brilliance of Kevin Lankinen. The man’s been a revelation, a beacon of hope in a season that was looking a bit, well, hopeless.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: "Kevin who?" Ah, my friend, let me enlighten you. This Finnish phenom has been quietly minding his own business, racking up win after win, and generally making a nuisance of himself in the crease. And with Thatcher Demko’s injury woes, Lankinen’s had the chance to shine – and shine he has.
Ten wins in 15 starts? Not shabby, if I do say so myself. And his performance against the Boston Bruins? Absolutely sublime. Thirty-two saves? Yes, please. It’s like he’s trying to single-handedly hold the team together, bless his little Finnish heart.
His coach, Rick Tocchet, is no slouch either, pronouncing Lankinen the "first, second, and third star" of the game. I mean, who needs actual stars when you’ve got Kevin Lankinen, right? And Tocchet’s not wrong – the guy’s been incredible, especially in the third period, where he seemed to defy the laws of physics at times.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "But what about Demko?" Well, let me tell you, Demko’s return is imminent, but I wouldn’t count Lankinen out just yet. The man’s earned his place in the crease, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Tocchet decides to give him a few more starts just for kicks.
And let’s not forget about Jake DeBrusk, who scored the game-winner against his former team. Talk about a subplot, folks! It’s like something straight out of a Hollywood movie – the prodigal son returns, scores the winner, and gets a hero’s welcome from his new teammates. Okay, maybe not that last part, but you get the idea.
All joking aside, it’s clear that Lankinen’s been the real MVP for the Canucks this season. (Quinn Hughes fans, don’t @ me – I know he’s been great too.) With an unconventional style that’s equal parts skill and sheer grit, Lankinen’s been the Cinderella story of the season so far.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go, and the Canucks have their work cut out for them if they want to keep their winning ways going. But if Lankinen keeps performing at this level, they might just find themselves with a shot at the playoffs yet. Stranger things have happened, right?
So, Canucks fans, take a bow. You’ve got yourselves a team to be proud of, and a goalie who’s been making waves in the NHL. And for the love of all things Finnegan, keep an eye on Kevin Lankinen – he’s going places.
The next stop for the Canucks? Pittsburgh, on Wednesday night. Catch you there, folks!
Here’s the rewritten article with added details:
BOSTON — As star goalie Thatcher Demko nears a return to the lineup, Kevin Lankinen has firmly entrenched himself as a legitimate goaltending option for the Vancouver Canucks, boasting a remarkable 10-3-2 record in 15 starts this season, a drastic improvement from his mere 24 games played last year with the Nashville Predators.
With Demko’s impending return from a lingering knee injury, Lankinen hasn’t flinched in net, starting 14 of the last 17 games for the Canucks, and has shown tremendous resilience in re-elevating his game after displaying signs of fatigue earlier in November.
On Tuesday, Lankinen stole the show against the Boston Bruins, making 32 remarkable saves to earn a shutout in Vancouver’s 2-0 win, prompting Canucks coach Rick Tocchet to suggest he deserved the Don Cherry-style trifecta of first, second, and third star honours.
Lankinen’s performance was all the more impressive considering the Bruins’ dominating 72-31 edge in shot attempts, with Vancouver skaters blocking an incredible 28 shots to aid their goalie’s valiant efforts.
“He was, you know, first, second and third star,” Tocchet lauded Lankinen. “He was very good tonight. We had some moments we wish we had back, but Lanks was awesome. What are we, 8-1 on the road? I’ve got to give the guys a lot of credit, grinding out some wins.”
Lankinen attributed his success to a combination of hard work, astute guidance from goalie coach Marko Torenius, and the unyielding support of his teammates, saying, “I think, as a whole, my game has grown a lot… I feel calm, I feel composure. I feel like I’m tracking the puck well.”
With Demko’s return now imminent, Tocchet is eager to continue utilizing Lankinen’s formidable skillset, stating, “He’s been great for us so, you know, he’s going to continue to play for us. Like he’s not going to sit on the bench. I’m nuts if I sit him on the bench.”
Jake DeBrusk, a former Boston Bruin, scored the game-winner against his old team, silencing the TD Garden crowd with a surprise celebration, gliding towards the glass with an almost apologetic gesture after tapping in a rebound at 5:53 following Conor Garland’s deft deflection of Quinn Hughes’ shot on a power play.
DeBrusk struggled to find words to describe the emotional experience of facing his former team, admitting it was the “weirdest” game he’s played since his NHL debut seven years ago, confessing, “It was cool that it happened, but… that was probably the weirdest game I’ve played since my first-ever game — my mental state.”
The win marked the Canucks’ eighth consecutive road victory, and with an impressive 11-6-3 record, they are only two points behind the 20-game pace of last year’s 50-win team, leaving a budding sense of optimism as they travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday night.
