Yesterday on the road in New Jersey, the Vancouver Canucks made for a surprising one 2-1 win against the New Jersey Devils. It was a bit of a strange match as it was the first without Quinn Hughes and with three new players in the line-up.
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On paper, it looked like the Devils were dominating: more shots, more zone time, more pressure. Still, Vancouver’s structure held firm, the new players made their mark and Thatcher Demko guided the team through an exciting third period. It was one of those wins that feels bigger than the numbers suggest.
Point one: Zeev Buium’s first impression was not subtle
If you missed Zeev Buium’s debut, you might want to watch the tape again. Two points from the first periodboth about the power play and about a calmness that belied his twenty years. This wasn’t some rookie trying to impress; it was a young defender who stepped into a new team and made his presence felt immediately. He moved the puck cleanly, executed the power play without hesitation and didn’t overcomplicate things.
That confidence is exactly what Vancouver needed after trading away franchise defenseman Hughes. Buium did not try to replace Hughes; he played like himself, and for a team still figuring out its blue line identity, that’s as valuable as a goal or assist.
Point two: Rossi and Ohgren gave a glimpse, no judgement
Sunday’s victory was not just about Buium. Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren also made their Canucks debuts. Although neither scored, their presence was noticeable. Rossi, who had a lower body injury, looked fast and committed. Jake DeBrusk immediately noticed his pace, willingness to direct the game and make simple, effective decisions.
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Ohgren’s minutes were more limited, but his speed stood out, indicating the kind of threat he could become as he gains strength and confidence. This was not the time to jump to conclusions; it was a chance to see if the pieces made sense together. And this evening they did so without fanfare. However, both were encouraging enough to suggest that the trade package could have more depth than first appeared.
Point three: Demko has re-established the backbone of the team
The most subdued story of the evening was Demko in goal. New Jersey peppered him with 26 shots, including heavy pressure in the third period and a 5-on-3 advantage. Every big scoring opportunity was met with calm and collected goal work. There was no panic, no struggle, just consistent, structured saves that erased the momentum.
Demko stopped 25 of 26 shots, earned an assist and claimed his first win since returning from a lower-body injury. For a team still figuring out its new look, having a goaltender who can hold down the fort and keep things from spiraling is worth its weight in gold. Once the game is over, you know you have someone who can absorb the pressure and give the rest of the team the chance to find their feet. That’s the kind of peace you can build a season around.
What’s next for the Canucks?
Looking ahead, the big question is whether these flashes can turn into something stable. Buium’s confidence in his first game was a good sign, but the real measure will be when he faces teams with top skills and varied styles. Rossi and Ohgren need more minutes to really show what they can do: how they move, play, support the top line and make life easier for the guys around them. And as always, Demko’s health and consistency will be a piece of the puzzle as Vancouver tries to make sense of this season.
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One thing is clear: the Canucks are not standing still. They added youth, speed and structure in one weekend, and Sunday’s win was the first tangible sign that these moves can pay off. For fans still adjusting to Hughes’ departure, Buium and his new teammates offered a glimpse of what’s possible. The pieces are in place. Now it’s time to see if they’re a good fit for each other in the long run.
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