In a thrilling start to the 2025-2026 NHL season, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Calgary Flames 5-1 at Rogers Arena on Thursday night. The star of the show was Filip Chytil, who scored twice to lead his team to a commanding victory. The game not only marked a fresh start for both teams but also showcased the Canucks’ offensive depth and solid goaltending from Thatcher Demko.
Chytil’s Brilliant Performance
Filip Chytil, the 24-year-old Czech center, made an immediate impact in the game. His first goal came early in the third period at 2:53, when a shot from teammate Jonathan Lekkerimäki bounced off the head of Calgary defenseman Kevin Bahl. The puck floated toward the net, and Chytil was quick to react, batting it past Flames’ goaltender Dustin Wolf to give Vancouver a 4-1 lead.
Less than six minutes later, Chytil was back at it, scoring his second goal of the night. The Canucks’ Arshdeep Bains fed Chytil the puck, allowing him to break free up the ice. Chytil made no mistake, firing a perfect shot that beat Wolf high to the glove side, extending Vancouver’s lead to 5-1. The goal highlighted Chytil’s ability to capitalize on both plays and opportunities, and his performance was a key factor in the Canucks’ dominant showing.
Chytil’s two-goal performance set the tone for what is shaping up to be an exciting season for the Canucks. His chemistry with his teammates was evident as he used his speed and vision to find space and create offensive opportunities. For the Canucks, the Czech forward’s performance could be a sign of great things to come as he continues to develop in Vancouver.
Supporting Cast Contributes
While Chytil stole the spotlight with his two goals, he was not alone in the effort. Vancouver’s offensive depth was on full display as Kiefer Sherwood, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, and Brock Boeser each found the back of the net, ensuring a well-rounded team performance.
Sherwood opened the scoring in the first period, giving the Canucks a 1-0 lead at 10:24. His goal, assisted by Boeser and defenceman Quinn Hughes, came after a quick breakout play that allowed Sherwood to get behind the Flames’ defense and bury a shot past Wolf. Sherwood’s goal set the tone for a strong first period for the Canucks.
Lekkerimäki, the Canucks’ first-round pick in 2022, added a goal of his own later in the second period. The 20-year-old Swedish forward has been touted as a future star for Vancouver, and his performance against the Flames was a reminder of his potential. Lekkerimäki’s goal, which came just past the halfway mark of the second period, extended the Canucks’ lead to 3-1, with assists credited to defenseman Tyler Myers and Chytil.
Boeser rounded out the scoring for Vancouver, putting his name on the score sheet with an empty-net goal in the final moments of the game. The goal sealed the Canucks’ 5-1 victory, with Boeser showcasing his deadly accuracy from distance.
Thatcher Demko’s Solid Performance
Thatcher Demko was another key contributor to Vancouver’s win. The Canucks’ number one goaltender was solid throughout the game, making 17 saves on 18 shots. While the Flames did manage to score once, Demko’s steady presence in the net kept Vancouver in control for the majority of the game.
Demko’s performance was particularly crucial in the first period when the Flames were applying pressure, and he made some key stops to preserve the Canucks’ lead. The lone goal Demko conceded came from Calgary’s Morgan Frost, who broke through with a goal at 6:54 of the third period to make it 4-1. However, Demko was largely untested the rest of the way, as the Canucks took over the game.
For Demko, this was a strong opening performance to the season. With the Canucks hoping to improve on their defensive play this year, having a reliable goaltender like Demko is essential for any success the team hopes to achieve.
Flames’ Struggles and Wolf’s Performance
On the other side, the Calgary Flames had a difficult night. Despite a late goal from Morgan Frost, who scored at 6:54 of the third period to give the Flames a brief glimmer of hope, the team struggled to generate consistent offense. They were limited to just one goal on 18 shots and were unable to capitalize on any scoring chances.
Dustin Wolf, Calgary’s goaltender, faced 26 shots in the game and stopped 21 of them, but he couldn’t keep up with the offensive onslaught from the Canucks. Wolf, who has been showing promise as the Flames’ future goaltender, will look to rebound from this tough outing as the season progresses. However, he will need more support from his defense and forwards to be successful.
The Flames, coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers just a day earlier, had hoped for a better showing. However, they were clearly outplayed by the Canucks, especially in the latter half of the game. Calgary will need to regroup as they head into their next game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.
Looking Ahead for Both Teams
With the win, the Vancouver Canucks (1-0) start their season on a high note and will look to build on this momentum in their next game against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. The Canucks’ offensive depth, solid goaltending, and contributions from key players like Chytil, Boeser, and Demko provide optimism for the team’s potential this season. The Canucks will look to continue their strong performance and push for a playoff spot in a highly competitive Western Conference.
For the Calgary Flames (1-1), the loss marks a disappointing start to their season. Despite some promising individual performances, including Frost’s goal, the team will need to improve their overall play if they want to challenge for a playoff spot. The Flames will host the St. Louis Blues next, and it will be crucial for them to bounce back with a stronger effort to avoid falling into a losing streak early in the season.
Final Thoughts
Filip Chytil’s two-goal performance and the Canucks’ strong team effort in their 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames set the tone for what could be an exciting season for Vancouver. With a combination of offensive depth, solid goaltending, and promising young players, the Canucks have the potential to surprise in the competitive Pacific Division. Meanwhile, Calgary will need to regroup quickly and address their weaknesses if they are to remain competitive throughout the year.
