The Vancouver Canucks' deepening woes continued on Monday, January 12, 2026, as a third-period collapse led to a 6-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. The defeat extended the club's losing skid to a concerning seven games.
Tolopilo's Trial by Fire in Montreal
With starter Thatcher Demko sidelined by a lower-body injury, the Canucks turned to recalled netminder Nikita Tolopilo. The 6-foot-6 Belarusian, who signed a two-year extension after going undrafted, was thrust into the spotlight and faced an immediate barrage. Montreal stormed out to an 8-1 shot advantage early and held a 27-14 edge after two periods.
Tolopilo made 35 saves on the night, displaying composure and resilience for much of the contest to keep the score tied 3-3 entering the final frame. However, the Canadiens' high-octane attack proved too much. Mike Matheson broke the tie just 29 seconds into the third period with a wrist shot through traffic, and Juraj Slafkovsky scored 38 seconds later to make it 5-3, effectively sealing the game.
"You don't need to find motivation," Tolopilo said of his journey from Minsk to the NHL. "It's tough to get here. They just don't give it to you."
Sherwood Injury Sends Shockwaves Through Trade Deadline Plans
Perhaps the most significant news for the Canucks' long-term outlook came off the ice. Forward Kiefer Sherwood, the team's leading scorer with 17 goals and 23 points and a top trade asset, is expected to miss one to three weeks with an injury.
This setback complicates management's strategy ahead of the trade deadline. Sherwood, an unrestricted free agent playing a physical style that has seen him deliver 210 hits, was being shopped as a key rental piece for contenders. The Canucks, firmly in the NHL cellar, were reportedly seeking a first-round draft pick or a package including a prospect in return. His injury now raises questions about his market value and timing.
"He's trying to go through something and my gut is it's going to be a week to three weeks probably," said Canucks head coach Adam Foote. "It doesn't look promising."
Garland's Creative Return Provides a Spark
One bright spot was the return of winger Conor Garland, who missed five games with a suspected head injury. His speed and creativity were immediately evident. In a memorable highlight, Garland executed a karate-kick to deflect a defender's stick, allowing him clean offensive zone entry—a move stemming from his childhood figure skating days.
Despite the loss, Garland's energy helped elevate the Canucks' play until the third-period breakdown. His return is a positive for an offense that has struggled during the prolonged slump.
The loss in Montreal underscores the challenges facing the Canucks: integrating new players like Tolopilo under duress, managing critical injuries that impact the franchise's future, and finding a way to snap a demoralizing losing streak as the season continues.
