Canucks Triumph Over Kings Amid Controversy: Star Forward Boeser Exits After Dangerous Hit
The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 in a dramatic night of NHL action at the Crypto.com Arena, but a controversial hit that sent star forward Brock Boeser to the locker room early in the game overshadowed the victory.
The incident occurred midway through the first period when Kings’ forward Tanner Jeannot delivered what officials deemed an illegal check to Boeser’s head. The hit, which came after Boeser had already released the puck, resulted in a match penalty for Jeannot and sparked immediate outrage from the Canucks’ bench.
Quinn Hughes, who consistently demonstrates his status as one of the NHL’s elite defensemen, offered his thoughts on the incident. “I haven’t looked at it, but for the refs to call five minutes, it’s obviously a dangerous hit.” Hughes backed up his words with outstanding play, contributing a goal and an assist to lead his team to victory.
The Canucks showed remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Rather than letting the loss of their leading scorer derail their game plan, they capitalized on the resulting five-minute power play when Conor Garland found the back of the net, evening the score at 1-1. This moment proved to be a turning point in the game.
Rising star Jake DeBrusk continued his hot streak, scoring for the third consecutive game. DeBrusk’s goal, which came from a brilliant setup by Hughes, put the Canucks ahead 2-1 in the second period. His recent performance indicates that he is finding his rhythm at a pivotal moment, particularly when Boeser is absent from the ice.
The Kings didn’t go down without a fight. Quinton Byfield opened the scoring early with an impressive backhand shot, showcasing the young player’s growing confidence. Later, Vladislav Gavrikov brought the Kings within striking distance with a goal in the third period, but J.T. Miller sealed the deal with an empty-netter in the final minutes.
Canucks’ head coach Rick Tocchet expressed concern about Boeser’s condition after the game: “I don’t know how Brock is; I haven’t seen him. We’ll find out when I see him, but it’s definitely a challenging play. Boeser’s health status will be a key storyline to follow, as he leads the team with six goals and ranks second with 11 points this season.
The victory marks the Canucks’ third straight win and improves their record to 7-2-3, showcasing their growing confidence against top-tier opponents. The team has now won seven of their last nine games, suggesting they’re finding their rhythm as the season progresses.
For the Kings, this loss marks their first regulation defeat at home this season, ending a strong run that had seen them earn points in their previous four home games. Coach Jim Hiller acknowledged the Canucks’ strong defensive play: “Give them credit; they didn’t take a lot of risk in the third, so there wasn’t a lot of room there.”
Looking ahead, the hockey community will eagerly await news on Boeser’s condition and potential disciplinary action for Jeannot. The teams will meet again in Vancouver this January, where Jeannot can expect a less-than-warm welcome from the home crowd.
In the bigger picture, this game represents more than just two points in the standings for Vancouver. It demonstrates their ability to overcome adversity, adapt to losing a key player, and execute their game plan against a strong opponent—qualities that will prove crucial as they continue their push toward the playoffs.