Nils Hoglander’s two goals led the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday. J.T. Miller and Elias Lindholm also found the net, while Elias Pettersson and Conor Garland each contributed two assists for the Canucks (45-18-8, 98 points), who continue to dominate the Western Conference standings with a three-game winning streak. Goaltender Casey DeSmith made 22 saves to secure the win.
Rasmus Andersson and Joel Hanley scored for the Flames (33-31-5, 71 points), who suffered their second consecutive loss, extinguishing their dwindling playoff hopes. Goalie Jacob Markstrom returned after missing five games due to a lower-body injury, making 22 saves. A.J. Greer chipped in with two assists.
Hoglander wasted no time, opening the scoring just 48 seconds into the game by redirecting Pettersson’s pass into the net. His breakaway goal in the second period, assisted by Pettersson, extended the Canucks’ lead. Andersson provided a late response for the Flames with a goal assisted by Greer, ending a 26-game goal-scoring drought.
Miller’s power-play goal in the final minutes secured the win for the Canucks, followed by Lindholm’s empty-net goal. Hanley scored his first goal in 64 games for the Flames, wrapping up the scoring with just 19 seconds remaining.