The Vancouver Canucks faced a tough challenge on Sunday night, taking on the Colorado Avalanche, the league's top team. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen started his second consecutive game against a formidable opponent known for their speed and skill. With Thatcher Demko resting, Lankinen had the difficult task of containing Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas, who have combined for 23 goals and 47 points this season.

The Avalanche, boasting a record of 10-1-5, had just come off a dominant 9-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. In the first period, MacKinnon quickly set the tone, scoring two goals within 1:29 and adding three assists in a 5-4 overtime win for Colorado. His performance solidified his position as the league leader with 14 goals and 29 points. The game concluded when Gavin Brindley netted the winning goal just over a minute into overtime.

Despite the loss, the Canucks demonstrated resilience by rallying from two third-period deficits. Jake DeBrusk's power play goal with 3:01 remaining in regulation allowed Vancouver to force overtime. "That’s a really good team over there for a reason and they come at you in waves," DeBrusk said. "It was good of us to get a point but we wanted the two. We’ll take the positives. We stuck in there with them and guys are getting more used to playing with each other and we’re getting more O-zone time."

Canucks head coach Adam Foote acknowledged the challenge posed by MacKinnon. "Sometimes, when you have a guy like MacKinnon, you overdo it and teams double up, and not on purpose to stop him, but you’ve got to let that 1-on-1 take place and take back ice because that’s where he burns you," Foote explained. He emphasized the need for the team to recognize the strengths of their opponents while also focusing on their own game.

Last season, Demko had a standout performance against the Avalanche, achieving a shutout with 25 saves. However, Lankinen's determination to play was evident, as Foote noted, "He wants to play so bad. We’re thinking the long haul and the schedule."

The Canucks showed improvement in their play, managing to keep pace with the Avalanche, a team known for capitalizing on mistakes. Foote remarked on the team's resilience, stating, "They’re a team that capitalizes on small mistakes and it was a good game. We’ll address it. It’s slight. You’re playing against a team like that and leading the league and we’re learning."

In terms of individual performances, several players received grades for their contributions. Evander Kane earned a B for his energetic play, while Elias Pettersson received a B+ for his defensive efforts against MacKinnon. Conor Garland was noted for his resilience despite facing tough hits, earning a B grade. Quinn Hughes stood out with an A for his performance against Cale Makar, showcasing his speed and scoring chances.

Overall, the Canucks displayed a competitive spirit against a top-tier team, and while they fell short in overtime, they left the ice with valuable lessons and a point in the standings.