Hughes has heartwarming message for Pettersson after gutsy Vancouver Canucks comeback
When Elias Pettersson’s Vancouver Canucks career is over, this season will not be remembered with perfectly rosy memories.
Nearly everything that could go wrong has gone wrong for the 26-year-old Swedish star. He was involved in a public feud with former co-star J.T. Miller, which eventually saw Miller traded. He’s struggled to perform close to his usual level, recording under 0.75 points per game. Nothing, whether it be on or off the ice, has come easy for Pettersson.
There have been more than enough trials and tribulations thrown at Pettersson this year, some self-inflicted and some outside of his control. However, this season is not over yet, and the narrative can be changed depending on what happens over the next few weeks.
Pettersson got a jump on changing the story with a huge performance to lead a gutsy 4-3 comeback shootout victory over the Calgary Flames last night. The silky centre scored the tying goal late in the third period, converted his shootout attempt, picked up an assist, and looked as dangerous as ever.
Elias Pettersson ties the game for Vancouver! šØ
šŗ: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/XD4Gqta8BC
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 13, 2025
Quinn Hughes showed heartwarming support for his longtime teammate after the game.
“Really happy for him,” said Hughes. “[He] took a lot of crap this year, and we obviously need him at this point in time with 17 games left. Showed up today, brought his A-game, and we’re going to continue to need him to do that.”
“Obviously, [I’m] proud of him, and he’s a competitive guy, too. You don’t get to the level he’s gotten to without having an inner jam and desire. It’s been a hard little run for him, but he’s a great player, and he’s going to be just fine, and you saw it tonight.”
Pettersson now has three goals in his last four games. It’s his best stretch of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Canucks.
“He’s an excellent, excellent player,” continued Hughes in another postgame interview. “It’s been a tough go for him this year but for him to show up the way he has the last couple games, that’s big time. We’re going to continue to need him to do it, and I know he will, so I’m really happy for him.”
The shootout victory over the Flames brought the two teams even on points, although the Flames have a game in hand. With 17 games left, the Canucks need Pettersson to keep this up to have any chance of making the postseason.
“It’s easy to look throughout the whole year, but nothing I can change there,” said Pettersson. “I’m just trying to be the best player I can be every game.”
“I think he’s stringing some good games together,” said head coach Rick Tocchet. “We talked about not getting too high and too low.”
“Leaving after the game, shook his hand there… he was like, ‘Hey, I got more to go.’ I like that. He’s got the even keel. He’s going to put the work in and continue to grind.”
The Canucks have some tough games left on their schedule, including two against the Vegas Golden Knights and two against the Winnipeg Jets. Those are strong teams, and the Canucks will need everyone to be on top of their game, but most importantly, they’ll need Pettersson to be producing to have any chance at keeping their postseason dreams alive.