March 6, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger (53) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Image Brock Boeser scored the tying goal on one of two goals in the third period to help the visiting Vancouver Canucks snap a seven-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.
Jake DeBrusk had a goal and an assist, Drew O’Connor and Teddy Blueger also scored and Max Sasson added an empty-netter for the Canucks. The Canucks overcame a 3-1 first period lead to earn their third win in 24 games (3-17-4).
Ilya Mikheyev and Frank Nazar each had a goal and an assist for Chicago, which was in a 2-7-3 rut.
Vancouver broke a 3-3 tie on a power play with 2:40 to play and advanced to the third. On a somewhat awkward rebound where Arvid Soderblom saved Linus Karlsson’s puck into the net, Boeser was able to slot the ball home.
Both teams expected to miss the playoffs have released multiple players ahead of this Friday’s trade deadline. Most notably, the Canucks traded Conor Garland and veteran defenseman Tyler Myers. Meanwhile, blue-liner Connor Murphy and captain Nick Foligno were the most notable names Chicago traded this week.
The Blackhawks wasted no time opening the scoring with just 1:08 left in the contest. With a 3-on-1, Ryan Donato threw the puck hard off the end boards for Vancouver’s Nikita Tolopilo (20 saves) to send.
But Vancouver responded with vigour.
A minute later, Tom Wilander’s pass toward the front of the net grazed O’Connor and past Soderblom (16 saves). The Canucks then went ahead 24 seconds later when DeBrusk redirected Zeev Buium’s drive home.
Vancouver won 3-1 with 13 minutes and 28 seconds left in Game 1. Rushing with the puck, Marcus Pettersson pushed it near the crease, where a well-positioned Blueger hit the puck in some forward traffic.
Chicago stopped the bleeding with eight minutes left in the opening frame. Oliver Moore sent a cross-slot pass for Mikheyev to beat Tolopilo, who was out of position.
The Blackhawks tried to tie it again with 42.6 seconds left in the second period when Najjar tipped in Alex Vlasic’s shot from the left point.
–Field level media
