NHL: Canucks score in OT, leave Ducks still looking for win, playoff berth

Marco Rossi scored with just 10 seconds left in overtime to give the Vancouver Canucks a 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. The Canucks, currently at the bottom of the standings, played the role of spoilers as the Ducks were hoping to end a seven-year playoff drought.

Rossi launched a slapshot past Anaheim goalie Lukas Dostal after receiving a pass from Jake DeBrusk, securing the Canucks' second power-play goal of the night. This crucial win helped Vancouver extend its streak to two consecutive victories, improving its record to 24-48-8, with 56 points.

Meanwhile, Anaheim, which had a chance to move closer to the postseason, will now need to win their final regular-season game against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Ducks (42-32-6, 90 points) remain on the hunt for their first postseason appearance since 2018.

In addition to Rossi’s game-winning shot, Brock Boeser, Curtis Douglas, and DeBrusk also scored for Vancouver. Boeser also scored a short-handed goal in the third period, while Rossi contributed an assist. Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo made 24 saves in the win.

Cutter Gauthier, the Ducks’ leading scorer, netted two goals in the game, including his 40th of the season. Leo Carlsson also scored once, and Chris Kreider added two assists for Anaheim. Dostal made 22 saves but was ultimately unable to stop the Canucks in overtime.

The game kicked off with Gauthier’s power-play goal at 3:41 of the first period. Alex Killorn took a shot that Kreider rebounded to Gauthier, who capitalized on the open net for his 39th goal of the season. Vancouver answered back at 10:49 with Douglas’s first NHL goal, tying the game 1-1. Douglas fought through the crease and poked a loose puck past Anaheim's defense.

DeBrusk then put the Canucks up 2-1 at 14:37 of the first, deflecting a Rossi shot past Dostal during a power play.

The Ducks managed to tie the game in the third period. Gauthier scored his second goal just 37 seconds after Boeser's short-handed tally, bringing Anaheim within a goal. Carlsson, after his earlier mistake, redeemed himself by scoring a backhand at 6:56 to make it 3-3, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Rossi’s clutch performance ended Anaheim’s playoff hopes, leaving the Ducks with one more chance to secure their postseason fate on Tuesday.

Box Score:

Vancouver Canucks: Boeser (1G, 1 SHG), Douglas (1G), DeBrusk (1G, 1A), Rossi (1G, 1A)

Anaheim Ducks: Gauthier (2G), Carlsson (1G), Kreider (2A)

Goaltenders:

Vancouver: Nikita Tolopilo – 24 saves

Anaheim: Lukas Dostal – 22 saves

Next Game:

Anaheim Ducks vs. Minnesota Wild, Tuesday -Field Level Media/Reuters