Canucks Struggle to Hold Leads,Leaving Fans Frustrated
The Vancouver Canucks are facing a perplexing problem this season: they can’t seem to hold onto leads.
Despite a dominant performance from J.T. Miller, who scored two goals in his best game in two months, the Canucks fell 5-4 in overtime to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. It marked the sixth time this season Vancouver has lost after entering the third period with a led - a stark contrast to last year when they were a formidable force in the final frame.
“It seemed last year we were a lot more comfortable protecting the lead,” Miller admitted after the game.”(We) still played aggressive, didn’t just sit back.Right now, it seems like we’re getting overwhelmed with the lead a little bit and, I don’t know, obviously…we’ve done it a handful of times now.
“You’ve got to wont to be out there. I think whenever it starts to go against you, you start to maybe double guess and squeeze a little tighter, and that goes for the whole team. So we’ve got to find a way, when we get a lead, to bear down on our battles and keep being aggressive.”
This troubling trend,which began with a 4-1 lead surrendered against the Dallas Stars on December 27th,has become a recurring nightmare for Canucks fans. In five games as Christmas, they have blown leads in the final frame on multiple occasions.
The once-reliable Canucks, who boasted an remarkable 42-1-4 record when leading after 40 minutes last season, are struggling to find their defensive composure when holding advantages.
Canucks Haunted by Self-Doubt Despite Strong Start
Despite flashes of brilliance, the Vancouver Canucks are grappling with a familiar foe: their own self-doubt. Monday night’s 3-3 tie against the Montreal Canadiens served as a painful reminder of their inability to shake off this pervasive sense of impending doom.
A Tale of Two Halves
The Canucks initially dominated, showcasing offensive firepower that should have secured them a victory. After a swift goal from Vasily Podkolzin, rookie sensation Elias Pettersson doubled their lead. And just 20 seconds after a missed breakaway, Conor Garland capitalized on a rebound to put the Canucks up 3-1.
“We had them on their heels, that might have been our best period of the year,” Canucks forward teddy Blueger reflected.
A Crumbling Foundation
However, their lead evaporated as quickly as it appeared. Defensive lapses allowed Montreal back into the game, with Kaiden guhle scoring on a screened shot and kirby Dach tying the game on a power-play rebound.
“I think there’s confidence,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged. “I think there’s moments when you need a guy to make a play. It truly seems like when a team puts pressure on us, sometimes we just start slapping pucks around.”
Fear Takes the Wheel
Blueger elaborated on the Canucks’ struggles, stating, “We’re probably sitting back too much.You know, we’ve got scored on a couple times, so I think we’re probably trying to be too cautious. Then you’re just inviting pressure.And when they pressure… mistakes are inevitable. I think we need to do a better job of kind of staying on the front foot, possessing the puck a little bit better and not just trying to dump it in and change.”
Tocchet echoed this sentiment,emphasizing the need to meet pressure with pressure,a message he’s been preaching as taking the helm almost two years ago. Yet, the Canucks seem paralyzed by fear, hesitant to engage in the gritty battles that frequently enough decide games.
Searching for Answers
“I don’t know an answer for what’s different this year from last year,” Garland admitted. “Just not good enough.”
The frustration is palpable. The Canucks have shown glimpses of their potential, but their inability to overcome their own mental hurdles continues to hold them back. Until they can exorcise these demons, their struggles will likely persist.
Canucks’ Fragility Costs Them in Overtime Loss to Canadiens
Despite a spirited effort, the Vancouver Canucks fell to the Montreal Canadiens in overtime on Tuesday night, succumbing to a familiar pattern of defensive lapses and inconsistency.
Late Penalty Seals Canucks’ Fate
Nils Hoglander’s ill-timed interference penalty in the final minute of regulation proved fatal, handing Montreal a power play and setting the stage for Nick Suzuki’s overtime winner.
“His reckless interference penalty at 19:24 led to Nick Suzuki’s overtime winner 48 seconds into the four-on-three,” the article stated.
The Canucks’ inability to protect leads and maintain defensive stability has become a recurring theme this season. Since November, they have secured only one victory when scoring fewer than four goals, highlighting their struggle to hold onto advantages.
Inconsistency Plaguing Canucks’ Game
canucks defenceman Tyler Myers acknowledged the team’s inconsistency, stating, “You know, we’re really good at times throughout a game. And then we slip a little bit. we get away from our details within our system,and we’ve got to clean that part up. “A lot of good things, but we’re not doing good things consistently enough.”
The Canucks’ inability to capitalize on strong stretches and maintain a consistent level of play ultimately cost them against the Canadiens.
Early Setback and Missed Chance
The game began with a jarring event as Canucks forward Lekkerimaki, recalled to replace injured winger Dakota Joshua, was immediately taken down by Montreal’s Guhle. Shortly after, Cole Caufield scored, capitalizing on space above Canucks defenceman Vincent Desharnais to give Montreal an early lead.
Head coach Rick Tocchet emphasized the need for a response, stating, “It’s not even about, you know, the fighting. You’ve just got to do something hard.Whatever the next shift is, do something hard. That’s what you should do.”
The Canucks’ struggles were further compounded by the absence of Elias Pettersson due to an upper-body injury,even though his return is expected on Wednesday in Washington.
What adjustments have opposing teams made to exploit the Canucks’ vulnerability in the third period?
Archyde News Interview: Canucks’ Struggles to Hold Leads Analyzed by Hockey Analyst Mark Stevens
Archyde News (AN): Welcome, Mark Stevens, hockey analyst and former NHL player, to Archyde News. The Vancouver Canucks are facing a perplexing issue this season—their inability to hold onto leads. As someone who’s been in the locker room and on the ice, what’s your take on this recurring problem?
Mark Stevens (MS): Thanks for having me. it’s a fascinating yet frustrating situation for the Canucks. Last season, they were one of the most reliable teams in the league when it came to protecting leads. This year, it’s almost the opposite. The numbers don’t lie—they’ve already lost six games after leading entering the third period. That’s a mental hurdle as much as it is a tactical one.
AN: J.T. Miller mentioned that the team seems to get “overwhelmed with the lead” and starts to second-guess themselves. How does that mindset develop, and how can they overcome it?
MS: It’s a classic case of overthinking. When you’re winning, you naturally want to protect that lead, but hockey is a game of momentum. If you start playing too cautiously, you’re essentially handing the momentum to the other team. Last year, the Canucks were aggressive even with a lead—they didn’t sit back. this year, it seems like they’re tightening up, squeezing their sticks, and making uncharacteristic mistakes. To fix it, they need to trust their systems and play with the same confidence they had last season.
AN: Coach Rick Tocchet mentioned that the team seems to “slap pucks around” under pressure. What’s your assessment of their defensive composure in these high-pressure moments?
MS: It’s a fair critique. When you’re under pressure, the instinct is to panic and make swift, often poor decisions. The Canucks’ defensive structure has been shaky in these moments. For example, in the game against Montreal, they allowed goals on a screened shot and a power-play rebound—both preventable if they’d maintained their positioning and interaction. It’s not just about skill; it’s about mental toughness and staying composed.
AN: Teddy Blueger pointed out that the team might be sitting back too much, inviting pressure. how can they strike the right balance between protecting a lead and staying aggressive?
MS: It’s a delicate balance, but it starts with mindset. You can’t play not to lose; you have to play to win. That means continuing to forecheck,maintaining offensive zone time,and not retreating into a defensive shell. When you sit back, you’re giving the other team time and space to set up plays. The Canucks need to rediscover that aggressive edge they had last year. It’s about dictating the pace of the game, not reacting to it.
AN: The Canucks’ record last season was remarkable—42-1-4 when leading after two periods. This season, they’re struggling to replicate that success. What’s changed?
MS: A few things. First, confidence is a huge factor. Last year, they believed they could close out games, and that belief became a self-fulfilling prophecy. This year, that confidence has wavered. Second, teams have adjusted. Opponents know the Canucks are vulnerable in the third period, so they’re pushing harder. there’s the mental toll of repeated failures. Onc you start blowing leads, it becomes a psychological burden. The key is to break that cycle with a few strong finishes.
AN: Looking ahead, what steps can the Canucks take to turn this around?
MS: It starts with leadership. Guys like J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson need to set the tone and keep the team focused. They also need to simplify their game in high-pressure situations—less overthinking, more execution. Coach Tocchet has to reinforce the importance of sticking to their systems and playing with confidence. And, of course, they need a few wins where they hold onto a lead to rebuild that belief. It’s not an overnight fix, but it’s achievable.
AN: Mark, thank you for your insights. It’s clear the Canucks have the talent to turn this around, but it’s going to take a mental and tactical shift. We’ll be watching closely to see how they respond.
MS: Absolutely. The season is still young,and there’s plenty of time to right the ship. Thanks for having me!
End of Interview
Stay tuned to Archyde News for more in-depth analysis and updates on the Vancouver Canucks and the NHL season.
