Pettersson and Hughes shone in the Canucks’ 2-1 win over the Ducks

Elias Pettersson scored a powerplay goal and an assist to extend his hitting streak to eight games, Quinn Hughes had two assists to give him 60 points for the season, and the Vancouver Canucks beat the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 on Sunday In the evening.

J.T. Miller scored a goal and provided an assist, and Collin Delia made 17 saves to help the Canucks to their seventh win in eight games.

“We were pretty ruthless from the start,” Delia said. “I think this should be our MO, you know. Just move forward, keep the pucks, supporting each other. Give it credit, you saw it all night, the guys worked for each other.”

Ryan Strome scored to ruin Delia’s shutout bid with 6:50 left in Game 3, and John Gibson made 38 saves for the Ducks, who were eliminated in the playoffs.

“In the third period, we had some desperation and we hit a few goals into the net, checked hard and were competitive,” Strome said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t get the 60-minute effort.”

After Pettersson, Miller and Hughes scored five points together in Saturday’s 3-2 win in Los Angeles, they continued their hot game, working together to score the first two goals.

“We play fast, we play skillfully. We know how to play,” Pettersson said.

Miller scored a slap from the top of the left lap after a Hughes pass halfway through the first.

Pettersson made it 2–0 at 1:31 seconds, throwing his wrist to the right circle in the Canucks’ first powerplay game, earning him five goals and seven assists during his streak.

Hughes had a top assist to become the first NHL defenseman in nearly 30 years with consecutive 60-assist seasons. Ray Burke had five such campaigns from 1989-90 to 1993-94, and Paul Coffey had back-to-back seasons in 1992-93 and 1993-94.

“His breakthroughs are incredible,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said of Hughes, who had 20 assists in his last 20 games. “Coffey of the world, (Scott) Niedermeiers, Bourque, they are great guys… And I don’t want to give it to him yet, but he is climbing this ladder.”

Hughes and Henrik Sedin are the only players in Canucks history to have 60 assists in a season. Sedin did this six times.

Pettersson said Hughes’ contribution goes well beyond creating offense from the blue line.

“His numbers show it, but he played all over the ice. And then, I mean, he’s taken on more of a leadership role this year. Plays much better, plays a lot on PC and is good for all of us. on ice,” Pettersson said.

STAYING AT HOME

The Ducks will miss the postseason for the fifth year in a row, extending the longest drought in franchise history. Prior to this period, they had not been without playoff hockey for more than three years, from their first three seasons as an extended team in 1993-94 to 1995-96 and again from 1999-2000 to 2001-02.

“I think everyone understands where we are as a club, a team that is retooling and trying to shape things for the future. But the guys in the dressing room had high hopes for us this year and didn’t live up to them. we want to be in the squad, but we have to do everything right to prepare for the future,” said defender Cam Fowler.

NOTES: Pettersson scored a point in his 10th straight away game, the longest by a Vancouver player since Sedin opened the 2013–14 season with two goals and 10 assists in his first 10 away games. … Referee Chris Rooney was not on the ice for the first period due to a flight delay.

NEXT

Canucks: will host Vegas on Tuesday night.

Ducks: Host Calgary Tuesday night.