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Elias Pettersson quietly on a hot streak for the Vancouver Canucks

Rob Williams
Rob Williams
|
Nov 18 2025, 2:00 pm
Elias Pettersson quietly on a hot streak for the Vancouver Canucks
Bob Frid/Imagn Images

Don’t look now, but Elias Pettersson is on a hot streak.

The 27-year-old Vancouver Canucks centre is under the microscope now more than ever, but after a slow start, he is beginning to pile up points.

Pettersson has eight points in his last four games, and 11 points in his last eight outings.

He was the main reason for Vancouver’s first goal Sunday in Tampa, when he deked around a Lightning player to get himself into the slot and put a good shot on goal. Jake DeBrusk banged in the rebound.

Goal-scoring has been an area of concern this season, and Pettersson does need to shoot the puck more. But two goals in Monday’s game in Florida have made this stat line look more complete.

Pettersson has 19 points (6-13-19) in 21 games this season. That’s a 23-goal, 74-point pace.

That’s not close to his career-best 102 points in 2022-23, but they are respectable numbers for a No. 1 centre, particularly one receiving tough defensive matchups.

Among NHL forwards, Pettersson ranks first in blocked shots (45) and faceoffs taken (463), and fifth in minutes played.

It begs the question: after struggling offensively for close to two calendar years, is Pettersson finally back?

I’m not totally prepared to make that declaration — let’s see it for a more prolonged stretch — but after some strong two-way play, it’s a wonderful sign that he’s beginning to lead the team more offensively.

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