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Nils Hoglander Leads Vancouver Canucks to Victory Over Calgary Flames
On Saturday, Nils Hoglander scored twice to propel the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-2 victory over the Calgary Flames. J.T. Miller notched his team-leading 34th goal of the season, with Elias Lindholm also finding the net in an empty goal situation. Additionally, Elias Pettersson and Conor Garland each provided two assists for the Canucks, who now hold a record of 45-18-8 this season.
For the Flames, Rasmus Andersson and Joel Hanley managed to score, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom returned to the ice after missing five games due to a lower-body injury, making 22 saves during the game.
Key Moments
Casey DeSmith, stepping in for the injured Thatcher Demko, made 22 saves to lead the Canucks to victory. Vancouver remains at the top of the Western Conference standings, three points ahead of the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars. Lindholm’s goal late in the third period sealed the deal for the Canucks, while Miller’s power-play tally earlier in the frame extended their lead.
DeSmith’s outstanding performance in goal, including a crucial save against Jonathan Huberdeau, and the Canucks’ solid penalty kill were instrumental in securing the win. On the Flames’ end, Andersson’s goal in the second period was a bright spot amidst the loss.
Impressive Stats
All of Hoglander’s goals this season have been at even strength. Matching Miller for the most even-strength goals on the team, Hoglander also ranks 16th in the NHL for such goals. Notably, Elias Lindholm and Andrei Kuzmenko faced their former teams for the first time since a trade in January, adding a personal aspect to the game.
Upcoming Games
The Flames will face the Buffalo Sabres next, while the Canucks are set to continue their homestand against the L.A. Kings. With their recent victory, the Canucks are looking to maintain their strong position in the standings as they push for success in the remainder of the season.
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