<p>The Vancouver Canucks have dropped a league-high nine overtime games this season, their most recent being a 5-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. For context, the Penguins are next with eight OTLs.</p>
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<p>On one hand, these games have kept the Canucks afloat in the playoff race, salvaging at least a point each time. On the other hand, it’s easy to see they’ve left plenty of points on the table, often against weaker opponents.</p>
<p>Let’s break down each of the Canucks overtime losses and see what went wrong:</p>
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 1: Opening Night (Oct. 9) vs. Calgary Flames, 6-5</strong></h3>
<p>Rogers Arena. Opening night. NHL hockey is back in Vancouver, and the boys are fired up. Things looked great as the Canucks jumped to a 4-1 lead in the first period. But then, cracks began to show.</p>
<p>Calgary pulled within two late in the second, and by halfway through the third, they had flipped the script, taking a 5-4 lead. A late effort from J.T. Miller tied the game at five and pushed it to overtime, but Connor Zary scored the winner for Calgary. Blowing a 4-1 lead on opening night set an ominous tone for the season.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">ZARY WINS IT IN OT!!! WHAT A COMEBACK!! <a href="https://t.co/993llWZd02">pic.twitter.com/993llWZd02</a></p>
<p>&mdash; FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/FlamesNation/status/1844242705653825577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 2: Oct. 11 vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2 </strong></h3>
<p>Two nights later, the Canucks faced the Flyers in a much tighter contest.</p>
<p>Holding a 2-1 lead heading into the third, they allowed the Flyers to tie it early in the period. Things went to a shootout, where Jake DeBrusk gave Vancouver the edge as the third shooter, but Travis Konecny responded, and Morgan Frost delivered the winner.</p>
<p>While this one didn’t sting as much as the Calgary loss, it still marked two points squandered against weaker opponents in back-to-back home games.</p>
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 3: Oct. 28 vs. Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3 </strong></h3>
<p>Coming off a four-game winning streak, the Canucks looked to extend their momentum against Carolina. After falling behind 3-1, they clawed back to tie it in the third, showing some of the fight fans hoped to see this season.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Sebastian Aho scored just 47 seconds into overtime, denying Vancouver a fifth straight win. At least this time, they earned their point by battling back.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sebastian Aho scores in overtime to give the Hurricanes the win and end the Canucks win streak at four.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiseUp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaiseUp</a><br />🎥: Sportsnet | NHL <a href="https://t.co/2aePOai7lZ">pic.twitter.com/2aePOai7lZ</a></p>
<p>&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1851122878735139106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 4: Dec. 3 at Minnesota Wild, 3-2 </strong></h3>
<p>Without J.T. Miller (on leave) and Brock Boeser (out with a concussion), the Canucks faced the red-hot Wild, who were 17-4-4 at the time. Vancouver held a 2-1 lead late into the game, but Kirill Kaprizov tied it in the third and buried the game-winner in overtime. While losing to one of the league’s best teams isn’t terrible, letting another lead slip hurt.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr">Kirill Kaprizov scores the OT winner. </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MNWild?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MNWild</a> <a href="https://t.co/75YZ0yPQlb">pic.twitter.com/75YZ0yPQlb</a></p>
<p>&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1864153080578887701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 5: Dec. 10 vs. St. Louis Blues, 4-3 </strong></h3>
<p>Thatcher Demko’s return to the lineup ended in disappointment as the Canucks fell to the struggling Blues. Jake DeBrusk tied the game late in regulation, but Dylan Holloway sealed it in overtime for St. Louis. Against a subpar opponent, this was another missed opportunity.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dylan Holloway wins it in overtime for the Blues. </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLBlues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STLBlues</a> <a href="https://t.co/KFcpWMc0fX">pic.twitter.com/KFcpWMc0fX</a></p>
<p>&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1866720839351382209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 6: Dec. 18 at Utah Hockey Club, 3-2 </strong></h3>
<p>In their first visit to Utah since the franchise relocation, the Canucks looked poised for a win with a 2-0 lead and 11 minutes left in the third. But Utah stormed back to tie it, and Mikhail Sergachev scored the overtime winner with just 12 seconds left. The Canucks’ inability to close out games was on full display.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Utah wins the game in overtime. </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UtahHC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UtahHC</a> <a href="https://t.co/0DGjcGHJA3">pic.twitter.com/0DGjcGHJA3</a></p>
<p>&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1869618909684654198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 7: Dec. 21 vs. Ottawa Senators, 5-4 </strong></h3>
<p>Looking to snap a two-game skid, Vancouver faced Ottawa in a back-and-forth battle. Brock Boeser’s late third-period goal forced overtime, but Jake Sanderson broke through to net the winner for the Senators. Vancouver was now falling behind in the Pacific Division race, with these overtime losses adding up.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jake Sanderson wins it in overtime for the Senators </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoSensGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoSensGo</a> <a href="https://t.co/2VrtSqcTcC">pic.twitter.com/2VrtSqcTcC</a></p>
<p>&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1870706379541131748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>O.T. Loss 8: Dec. 31 vs. Seattle Kraken, 5-4 </strong></p>
<p>New Year’s Eve brought one of the most frustrating losses of the season. Leading 4-1 with just five minutes left, the Canucks inexplicably allowed Seattle to score three goals and force overtime. The Kraken then completed their stunning comeback with the game-winner in OT. It was one of the worst collapses in franchise history and a low point in the season.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vince Dunn completes the comeback. Kraken win 5-4 in overtime. </p>
<p>🎥: Sportsnet | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeaKraken?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeaKraken</a> <a href="https://t.co/4wZJcTngy3">pic.twitter.com/4wZJcTngy3</a></p>
<p>&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1873151248746307862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 9: Jan. 6 vs. Montreal Canadiens, 5-4 </strong></h3>
<p>Against Montreal, Vancouver held a 3-1 lead early in the second after goals from J.T. Miller and Jonathan Lekkerimäki. But the Canadiens scored three unanswered, forcing Vancouver into another comeback. Jake DeBrusk tied it at four to force overtime, but Nick Suzuki ended the game just 48 seconds into the extra frame.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nick Suzuki scores the OT winner. Canucks lose 5-4</p>
<p>🎥: Amazon Prime | NHL<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHabsGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHabsGo</a> <a href="https://t.co/OI8s30PpVn">pic.twitter.com/OI8s30PpVn</a></p>
<p>&mdash; CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1876467222841016537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>At 18-12-9, the Canucks sit fourth in the Pacific Division. They have just four wins in their last 14 games, and three of their last six have ended in overtime losses. A team that excelled at holding leads last season is now struggling to close out games. While injuries and roster turnover have played a role, the Canucks are leaving far too many points on the table in a tightly contested Pacific Division.</p>
<p>If these trends continue, Vancouver’s playoff hopes could be in serious jeopardy.</p>
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The Vancouver Canucks have dropped a league-high nine overtime games this season, their most recent being a 5-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. For context, the Penguins are next with eight OTLs.
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On one hand, these games have kept the Canucks afloat in the playoff race, salvaging at least a point each time. On the other hand, it’s easy to see they’ve left plenty of points on the table, often against weaker opponents.

Let’s break down each of the Canucks overtime losses and see what went wrong:
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 1: Opening Night (Oct. 9) vs. Calgary Flames, 6-5</strong></h3>
Rogers Arena. Opening night. NHL hockey is back in Vancouver, and the boys are fired up. Things looked great as the Canucks jumped to a 4-1 lead in the first period. But then, cracks began to show.

Calgary pulled within two late in the second, and by halfway through the third, they had flipped the script, taking a 5-4 lead. A late effort from J.T. Miller tied the game at five and pushed it to overtime, but Connor Zary scored the winner for Calgary. Blowing a 4-1 lead on opening night set an ominous tone for the season.

https://twitter.com/FlamesNation/status/1844242705653825577
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 2: Oct. 11 vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2 </strong></h3>
Two nights later, the Canucks faced the Flyers in a much tighter contest.

Holding a 2-1 lead heading into the third, they allowed the Flyers to tie it early in the period. Things went to a shootout, where Jake DeBrusk gave Vancouver the edge as the third shooter, but Travis Konecny responded, and Morgan Frost delivered the winner.

While this one didn’t sting as much as the Calgary loss, it still marked two points squandered against weaker opponents in back-to-back home games.
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 3: Oct. 28 vs. Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3 </strong></h3>
Coming off a four-game winning streak, the Canucks looked to extend their momentum against Carolina. After falling behind 3-1, they clawed back to tie it in the third, showing some of the fight fans hoped to see this season.

Unfortunately, Sebastian Aho scored just 47 seconds into overtime, denying Vancouver a fifth straight win. At least this time, they earned their point by battling back.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1851122878735139106
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 4: Dec. 3 at Minnesota Wild, 3-2 </strong></h3>
Without J.T. Miller (on leave) and Brock Boeser (out with a concussion), the Canucks faced the red-hot Wild, who were 17-4-4 at the time. Vancouver held a 2-1 lead late into the game, but Kirill Kaprizov tied it in the third and buried the game-winner in overtime. While losing to one of the league’s best teams isn’t terrible, letting another lead slip hurt.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1864153080578887701
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 5: Dec. 10 vs. St. Louis Blues, 4-3 </strong></h3>
Thatcher Demko’s return to the lineup ended in disappointment as the Canucks fell to the struggling Blues. Jake DeBrusk tied the game late in regulation, but Dylan Holloway sealed it in overtime for St. Louis. Against a subpar opponent, this was another missed opportunity.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1866720839351382209
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 6: Dec. 18 at Utah Hockey Club, 3-2 </strong></h3>
In their first visit to Utah since the franchise relocation, the Canucks looked poised for a win with a 2-0 lead and 11 minutes left in the third. But Utah stormed back to tie it, and Mikhail Sergachev scored the overtime winner with just 12 seconds left. The Canucks’ inability to close out games was on full display.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1869618909684654198
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 7: Dec. 21 vs. Ottawa Senators, 5-4 </strong></h3>
Looking to snap a two-game skid, Vancouver faced Ottawa in a back-and-forth battle. Brock Boeser’s late third-period goal forced overtime, but Jake Sanderson broke through to net the winner for the Senators. Vancouver was now falling behind in the Pacific Division race, with these overtime losses adding up.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1870706379541131748

<strong>O.T. Loss 8: Dec. 31 vs. Seattle Kraken, 5-4 </strong>

New Year’s Eve brought one of the most frustrating losses of the season. Leading 4-1 with just five minutes left, the Canucks inexplicably allowed Seattle to score three goals and force overtime. The Kraken then completed their stunning comeback with the game-winner in OT. It was one of the worst collapses in franchise history and a low point in the season.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1873151248746307862
<h3><strong>O.T. Loss 9: Jan. 6 vs. Montreal Canadiens, 5-4 </strong></h3>
Against Montreal, Vancouver held a 3-1 lead early in the second after goals from J.T. Miller and Jonathan Lekkerimäki. But the Canadiens scored three unanswered, forcing Vancouver into another comeback. Jake DeBrusk tied it at four to force overtime, but Nick Suzuki ended the game just 48 seconds into the extra frame.

https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1876467222841016537

At 18-12-9, the Canucks sit fourth in the Pacific Division. They have just four wins in their last 14 games, and three of their last six have ended in overtime losses. A team that excelled at holding leads last season is now struggling to close out games. While injuries and roster turnover have played a role, the Canucks are leaving far too many points on the table in a tightly contested Pacific Division.

If these trends continue, Vancouver’s playoff hopes could be in serious jeopardy.

<strong>Sponsored by bet365</strong>
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Dissecting each of the Canucks’ 9 overtime losses

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