The Vancouver Canucks hosted Pacific Division rivals Calgary Flames on Saturday night at Rogers Arena, with Buffalo waiting for them in the second of back-to-back games this weekend for Vancouver.

The Canucks were looking to get back to winning after a 1-0 loss on Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings, and hand the Flames their third straight loss in Vancouver this season.

The Flames were attempting to do the same as Vancouver and re-establish their winning ways, after a 1-0 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

The Flames 3-1-1 in their previous 5 games, were facing a Canucks team 2-2-1 in their last 5 games.

Canucks J.T. Miller was attempting to begin a new points streak after his previous NHL leading points streak was stopped at 13 games Thursday.

Canucks Start Out Flat

With the Canucks under seige in the opening minutes of the game, the Flames opened up the scoring at 4:45 on a goal by Noah Hanifin.

With Vancouver scrambling around in their own end , Calgary added to their fast start by taking a 2-0 lead on a goal by Matthew Tkachuk at 7:46.

Behind by two goals in a two minute span, Vancouver needed to regain their composure and establish some push back, with a goal of their own to pull within one of the Flames.

Not happening.

Vancouver continued to give up odd man rushes, and nearly three-quarters through the period, Calgary took an unanswered 3-0 lead on a goal by Rasmus Andersson at 13:51.

For the second straight game, the Canucks were suffering from cement laced skates and a porous defense, as they faced a tough challenge staging a comeback performance.

Lack Of Sustained Desperation Play Deepens Canucks Hole

Entering the second period against the skating and sniping of the Flames, Vancouver was looking for a very good goal producing period, and a stingy defensive game to please their bosses on NHL Trade Deadline weekend, having been outshot 16-4 in the first period.

Canucks responded with a better start in the middle frame with the momentum over the first four and a half minutes of the period but the Flames would wait out the deluge of the Canucks and score a game leading fourth consecutive goal. Elias Lindholm at 4:29.

Demko Out, Halak In, Win The Final Period

Vancouver needed to win the final period of the game with them playing the Sabres on Sunday and needing to leave it all on the ice, even if they did not win. Call it pride. Or, NHL Trade Deadline Weekend nervousness.

Starting Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko was replaced in net for the 3rd period by Jaroslav Halak for Vancouver. Halak informed on bench at end of second period of the switch to his dismay.

Canucks looking at a second straight game without a goal, beginning the final period with some sustained offensive zone play, testing the Calgary Flames goalie Dan Vladar.

A Brock Boeser penalty would lead to Vancouver shorthanded and a fifth consecutive Calgary goal putting the Flames up 5-0. Johnny Gaudreau at 6:28 on the Calgary power play.

The Canucks finally get on the scoreboard with a goal to pull within four of Calgary at 5-1. Matthew Highmore at 7:37, assisted by Juhu Lammikko and Brad Hunt.

The goal provided a spark for Vancouver as they found an extra gear in their play, taking the game to the Flames right after the Highmore goal.

The Canucks spark eventually petered out and the game settled on end to end play with time ticking down and the Buffalo Sabres moving closer in the rear view mirror.

The Canucks would score a statement goal on a late power play at 17:14 by Brock Boeser, assisted by Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. Boeser finally getting the monkey off his back and the Vancouver power play successful with a man advantage goal.

Canucks 2-1 in the final period over the Flames. Yesssssss!!

Just saying….