Elias Pettersson makes thoughts clear after 4-1 loss to Utah Mammoth

The Vancouver Canucks’ season-worst skid stretched to four games on Friday night as they lost 4-1 against the Utah Mammoth at Rogers Arena in a game that once again highlighted their growing struggle to finish chances.

Vancouver generated long stretches of zone time from their top line and out-shot Utah 32–27, but it didn’t matter. The Mammoth scored in every period including a pair in the third, while the Canucks didn’t get on the board until Arshdeep Bains’ early-third-period marker. By then, the margin for error was gone.

After the game, forward Elias Pettersson spoke with a visible mix of frustration and disbelief insisting the team created enough to win but simply couldn’t convert.

“Yeah, it's tough. I think we definitely created a lot, enough to win the game,” Pettersson said. “We had good looks, but yeah… the goals were missing.”

Vancouver’s power play, once a bright spot during a recent stretch, went cold on the night failing to capitalize on two chances. When asked what changed, Pettersson admitted even the players don’t have a clear answer right now.

“I don't know… whether we’re trying to find the perfect play or not winning pucks back after shots, I don’t know. But we’ve just got to come together as a five and be better.”

The Canucks have now gone 1-for-10 on the man advantage over their last four losses.

---

Elias Pettersson heaps praise on Linus Karlsson

Pettersson, who centered one of Vancouver’s few dangerous lines on the night, pointed to strong sequences that didn’t turn into goals.

“We worked well, had some good looks on breakouts, good through the neutral zone, good on the cycle. But yeah, the goals were missing.”

He also praised winger Linus Karlsson who has quietly been one of Vancouver’s better forwards during this slump.

“He’s been looking good. Strong on the puck, protects it well, wins a lot of battles which creates great scoring chances,” Pettersson said.

Despite the standings and the losing streak, Pettersson didn’t hesitate when asked about the mindset inside the room.

“We believe we can win every game. Obviously the record doesn’t look good, but we’re giving the effort every game and the bounces just aren’t going our way.”

Vancouver has indeed been in almost every game during this skid where three of the four losses were within one goal entering the final minutes but the inability to finish has buried them.

The Canucks won’t have time to dwell on another disappointing result with a back-to-back matchup against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.