The “Canucks” were superior to the Calgary “Flames” on the road with a score of 4:3 (2:1, 1:0, 1:2).
The visitors had made it 2-0 by the ninth minute of the game thanks to accurate shots from Quinn Hughes and Sam Lafferty, but Mikael Backlund pulled one goal back in the second half of the first period. In the last minute of the second period, Ilya Miheev restored the two-goal advantage, which was reduced by Elias Lindholm in the 16th minute of the third period.
With 80 seconds left in regulation, Elias Peteshon put the puck into an empty net with an assist from Canucks rookie Nikita Zadorov, and 26 seconds later, Lindholm put the Flames back within one goal.
During this time, Blüger spent 13 minutes and 39 seconds on the ice, during which he scored once, used one power play, won eight of 17 shots and had a neutral efficiency ratio. This season, Blügers scored one goal and provided one assist in 11 games.
On the other hand, Florida “Panthers” suffered a loss on Saturday, which earlier this week sent Latvian defenseman Uvi Balinski to the American Hockey League (AHL). “Panthers” recognized the superiority of New York “Islanders” at home with 3:4 (1:1, 1:2, 1:1).
Carter Verheg had a goal and an assist for the home team, Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk made accurate shots as well, which ended the ten-match “dry” streak. Julien Gauthier scored the winning goal for the New Yorkers, but before that, Anders Lee, Pierre Engvall and Simon Holström stood out.
Ilya Sorokin saved 42 shots in the winning goal.
The Buffalo Sabers, represented by the injured forward Zemgus Girgensons, also suffered a setback, losing to the Carolina Hurricanes 2:6 (0:2, 0:3, 2:1) on the road.
Casey Mittelstead and Tyson Jost scored for the Sabres. Sebastian Aho scored twice for the winners and Jack Drury, Stefan Noesen, Teuvo Teravainen and Brady Shay each scored for Buffalo.
The Canucks are second in the Western Conference and fourth in the league with 33 points in 25 games. In the East, “Panthers” are third with 30 points in 24 matches, while “Sabres” are in 14th place with 22 points in 24 duels.
