‘We’re on the wrong side of things’: Frustration grows for Vancouver Canucks

By Canadian Press on December 12, 2025.

VANCOUVER — Frustration is nothing new for professional athletes.

Yet this stretch feels different for Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser.

His team feels like they’re playing decent hockey and the results simply have not followed.

“At the end of the day, we lost another game, and it’s getting really frustrating,” Boeser said Thursday after the Canucks fell 3-2 to the visiting Buffalo Sabres.

“I feel like there’s games we’re playing pretty well and outchancing teams and stuff, and we’re on the wrong side of things. And I think it just comes down to doing the little things right.”

The Canucks need to get back to basics, be harder to play against and focus on the little details of the game, Boeser said.

“You have to make sure you’re dialed in at all times,” said the veteran forward. “I think there’s times where we get away from those details, and the puck ends up in our net. And I think that’s definitely a big issue.”

The Canucks outshot the Sabres 32-15 on the night, had more power-play time, and held a 2-1 lead midway through the second period.

It didn’t matter.

Buffalo’s top goal scorer, Tage Thompson, levelled the game at 2-2 midway through the frame, and Zach Benson added a power-play tally to give the visitors the lead at the 14:46 mark of the period.

Vancouver’s offence pushed in the third, outshooting Buffalo 11-2, but couldn’t get another puck past Alex Lyon, who made 29 saves.

“We had a push, a lot of chances, but we didn’t get it in,” said Canucks head coach Adam Foote.

Kiefer Sherwood and Max Sasson provided the goals for Vancouver.

The loss capped a four-game homestand where the Canucks (11-17-3) managed just one win and the team tumbled all the way to the bottom of the NHL standings.

Injuries have played a role — Boeser admitted that he, too, played through an undisclosed ailment Thursday — but even as bodies return to the lineup, a complete game has been tough to come by.

All-star goalie Thatcher Demko made 12 saves Thursday in his first action since Nov. 11, when he picked up a lower-body injury against the Winnipeg Jets.

“I felt ready to play. Definitely didn’t feel perfect tonight. Definitely need to be better,” he said of his performance.

This has been a frustrating stretch, Demko said, but the team needs to take whatever positives it can and apply them as they head out on a five-game road swing.

“There’s no sugar coating it. It’s no fun when you’re not winning games,” he said. “So unfortunately, it’s part of the job sometimes. You’ve got to show up and you got to stay working hard, and you have to do your best do your job. So that’s the reality we’re in right now. And the ship’s not going to turn itself around.”

HUGHES HEARS IT

Canucks captain Quinn Hughes has been the talk of the NHL in recent weeks — and not for his play on the ice.

Speculation has grown about the star defenceman’s future in Vancouver and how long he’ll remain with the team.

Asked Thursday whether the noise is affecting the locker room, Hughes said he’s more affected by the results and where the team is at in the standings.

“I would say the same thing about the team,” he said. “I think guys are focused on themselves, too, and trying to get their own games going and trying to be productive and bring their best.

“At the end of the day, when guys are lacing up the skates, they’re not necessarily thinking about me. They’re probably thinking about other things.”

ROAD MARKERS

The Sabres hit a milestone Thursday, picking up their first regulation win away from home this season.

“I feel like we’re understanding road games better now,” said defenceman Rasmus Dahlin. “We’re just keeping it simple, taking advantage of special teams.

So a lot of good things.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2025.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press