'He doesn't get enough credit': Tolopilo a bright spot for struggling Canucks

Vegas Golden Knights' Brandon Saad, front left, redirects the puck with his stick in front of Vancouver Canucks goalie Nikita Tolopilo during the first period of an NHL hockey game, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER — Nikita Tolopilo didn’t hear Vancouver Canucks fans chanting his name on Tuesday night.

Learning they had didn’t ease the sting of yet another loss for the young goalie.

“We didn’t get the win so it’s hard to kind of be happy about something,” he said after Vancouver fell 2-1 to the visiting Vegas Golden Knights.

It’s been a difficult season for the Canucks (22-47-8), who have lost 10 of their last 12 and remain cemented to the bottom of the NHL standings.

With four games left on the schedule, Vancouver’s young players are looking to showcase their play, including Tolopilo.

The six-foot-six Belarusian netminder is likely to see the majority of the action down the stretch as starter Thatcher Demko recovers from hip surgery and backup Kevin Lankinen remains sidelined with an undisclosed injury.

“That’s like whole season. Every game, it’s opportunity,” Tolopilo said of the opportunity ahead. ”So it’s nothing changed. And I try to do my best every day, every game, and show that I can play here.”

The 26-year-old goalie has a 5-10-2 record with Vancouver this season. His save percentage is .883 and his goals-against average is 3.63.

He also went 8-8-3 with the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League, posting a .897 save percentage with a 3.07 goals-against average.

“I think sometimes he doesn’t get enough credit. He battles in there,” Canucks forward Max Sasson said of the netminder. ”He’s got put in some tough spots. … And he’s such a great guy, always a joy in the locker room. To see him battle like that, it’s great. And hopefully he keeps going.”

Tolopilo put in a solid effort Tuesday night, stopping 26 shots for the Canucks.

One of his best saves of the night came on a Vegas power play midway through the first period when Jack Eichel’s shot was blocked by Vancouver defenceman Marcus Pettersson.

The puck pinged out to Mark Stone, who tried to tip it in past Tolopilo, only to see Vancouver’s goalie drop to the ice and freeze it under his body.

The final result shouldn’t rest on the Canucks goalie, said Sasson.

“Without Tolo, I don’t know how close it would have been,” he said. ”I thought everyone, including myself, can probably give a better effort in front of our home fans. Only a couple games left and only getting 10 shots or whatever, it’s not good enough.”

Vancouver head coach Adam Foote agreed Tolopilo’s performance was one positive in the loss.

“You could tell he was more square to pucks, he was in control of his body,” Foote said. “And he had a good game for us, gave us a chance.”

HOME ICE ADVANTAGE?

With just one home game left on the calendar, the Canucks (8-27-5) cannot finish with 10 wins at Rogers Arena this season.

Finding victories in Vancouver is something the rebuilding team needs to make a priority next season, Sasson said.

“It feels like everyone’s a little more tense at home. I have no clue why or what it is. I’m sure that’ll be talked about in summer meetings and stuff and going into training camp,” he said.

“It feels, even in the locker room, it feels looser on the road for whatever reason. And we’ve got to be good at home if we’re gonna be a good team in this league.”

TORTORELLA’S TOUCH

The Golden Knights have won four straight games since John Tortorella was installed as head coach March 31.

Vegas (36-26-16) finished the night second in the Pacific Division, tied with the Edmonton Oilers on points (88), but behind on regulation wins.

What Tortorella liked about his team Tuesday was how they stayed with the game.

“We didn’t give them much. I thought their goaltender played really well, but it’s just one of those games that it can get away from you,” he said.

“Good teams win those games, where teams that don’t get there in the end, lose those games. So to me, it’s a good sign for the hockey club.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2026.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press