Golden Knights Dominate Canucks in Season Finale as Vancouver Looks Ahead
Alright, let’s talk about how the Vancouver Canucks wrapped up their 2024-25 NHL season — and yeah, it didn’t exactly end on a high note. In what was the final regular season game for both teams, the Canucks fell 4-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday night at Rogers Arena, and with that, the curtain officially closed on another playoff-less year for Vancouver.
Things actually started off okay for the Canucks. Pius Suter found the net in the first period, giving Vancouver a 1-0 lead heading into intermission. But that spark faded fast. Vegas tied it late in the second when Victor Olofsson ripped a one-timer top shelf, and then it just unraveled from there.
The backbreaker came early in the third. Pavel Dorofeyev — who’s had a breakout year, by the way — scored his 35th goal of the season, snapping the tie and putting the Knights ahead for good. That goal was pure sniper mode, a clean shot from the faceoff circle right over Tolopilo’s glove. Jack Eichel followed up with his 28th of the season, and then Cole Schwindt sealed the deal with his first-ever NHL goal, a late empty-netter.
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Now, to be fair, the Canucks weren’t exactly fielding their strongest lineup, and neither were the Knights. Vegas rested a few of their stars — Tomas Hertl, Adin Hill, and Noah Hanifin all sat this one out. But still, the Golden Knights looked like a team that’s playoff-ready. Vancouver? Not so much.
Kevin Lankinen did what he could in net for the Canucks in the first two periods, stopping 19 of 20 shots, before Nikita Tolopilo took over in the third. On the other side, Akira Schmid made only his fifth appearance of the season for Vegas and stopped 16 shots to earn the win.
With that, Vegas wraps up its regular season at 50-22-10 — hitting the 50-win mark for just the third time in franchise history — and they’re heading into the playoffs to face the Minnesota Wild in the first round. Vancouver? They're packing it up after finishing fifth in the Pacific Division and 10th in the West with a 38-30-14 record. That makes it eight out of the last ten seasons they’ve missed the postseason.
There were a few bright spots this year — Jake DeBrusk led the team with a career-high 28 goals, and Quinn Hughes tied Alex Edler for the most points by a defenceman in franchise history. But overall, it’s another disappointing ending for a team and a fanbase that’s been starved for real playoff hockey.
Oh, and let’s not forget a big milestone off the ice — this was the final game for longtime equipment manager Patty O’Neill, who’s retiring after an incredible 45 years in the NHL. That’s a legacy worth celebrating.
The Canucks will hold their season-ending media availability soon, and then it’s back to the drawing board. Again.
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