National Hockey League
Vancouver 5, Columbus 2
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, December 6, 2024
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Referees: Trevor Hanson, Michael Markovic
Linesmen: Brandon Gawryletz, Joe Mahon
Attendance: 18529

Pius Suter scored twice in the third period and Brock Boeser collected one goal and one assist as the host Vancouver Canucks erased a two-goal deficit en route to a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

Kiefer Sherwood and Jake DeBrusk also scored for the Canucks, who are riding a 5-1-1 run. Vancouver goaltender Kevin Lankinen made 30 saves and Quinn Hughes collected two assists.

Mathieu Olivier and Damon Severson scored for the Blue Jackets, who are on a three-game skid. Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins stopped 12 shots.

With the score tied at 2-2, Suter gave the Canucks their first lead of the night at the 2:17 mark of the third period when he scored from the slot.

DeBrusk continued his hot streak with a power-play goal just past the midway point of the final frame, deflecting a point shot for his 12th of the season and sixth in a four-game spree.

Suter's empty-net goal with 65 seconds remaining, his 11th of the season, rounded out the scoring.

The Blue Jackets took a 2-0 lead with a dominant first period. Olivier opened the scoring at the 7:10 mark, netting his eighth of the season, and Severson doubled the lead with 7:42 left in the period with his sixth of the season.

The Canucks were outshot 17-2 in the first period but flipped the momentum in the second period.

Boeser put Vancouver on the board at 3:52 of the second period when he smacked a one-timer from just beyond the right faceoff dot for his seventh of the season.

Sherwood drew the Canucks even with one minute remaining in the second period, taking advantage of an errant Merzlikins clearing attempt for his seventh goal of the campaign, setting the stage for the comeback.

Canucks' No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko, who has been out of action since suffering a knee injury late last season, returned as a backup Friday.

Columbus defenseman Ivan Provorov left the game early in the second period after being tripped by Elias Pettersson and sliding into the boards.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Columbus   Vancouver
Mathieu Olivier 1 Points Pius Suter 2
Mathieu Olivier 1 Goals Pius Suter 2
Zachary Aston-Reese 1 Assists Quinn Hughes 2
N/A Power Play Goals Jake DeBrusk 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Elvis Merzlikins .750 Save Percentage Kevin Lankinen .938
Elvis Merzlikins 12 Saves Kevin Lankinen 30
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Columbus 32 2 0-3 1-2 15 26
Vancouver 17 5 1-2 3-3 17 38
Upcoming Games
  • Vancouver will play their next game at home against Tampa Bay. The Canucks have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .636 after a loss.
  • Columbus will play their next game on the road against Winnipeg. The Blue Jackets have a W/L % of .364 after a win and .467 after a loss.