Zeev Buium scores in his Canucks debut as Vancouver beats New Jersey 2-1, marking a confident start to life after Quinn Hughes.
A Fresh Start in Vancouver Colors
The post-Quinn Hughes era in Vancouver began with energy, confidence, and a new hero. On Sunday afternoon, Zeev Buium stepped onto the NHL ice wearing a Canucks jersey for the first time and instantly made his presence felt. As a result, Vancouver skated away with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center, sending an early message that change does not always mean decline.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
From the opening puck drop, Vancouver looked sharp. Just 61 seconds into the game, Jake DeBrusk struck on the power play. He crashed the net, stayed with the play, and buried his own rebound. Consequently, the Canucks grabbed early momentum. Soon after, Buium doubled the lead at 6:48. He flipped a puck toward the net, and with a lucky bounce off a Devils defender, it slid past Jacob Markstrom. Therefore, the rookie’s first game quickly turned into a memorable one.
Devils Push Back, Demko Pushes Harder
New Jersey refused to fade quietly. Early in the second period, Luke Hughes pulled the Devils within one after taking a smooth drop pass from Jesper Bratt and beating Thatcher Demko from the slot. Meanwhile, the Devils controlled much of the play, outshooting Vancouver heavily in both the second and third periods. However, Demko stayed calm, sharp, and fearless. He turned aside chance after chance, including a late extra-attacker push, and sealed the win with 25 saves.
New Faces, Strong Signs
Beyond the score, the night offered plenty of optimism for Vancouver. Buium added an assist to his goal, making franchise history as the first Canucks defenseman to post multiple first-period points in his debut. In addition, Marco Rossi impressed at center, winning key faceoffs and logging heavy minutes. Even without injured star Elias Pettersson, the Canucks played with structure, discipline, and belief.
What Comes Next
With confidence growing and new chemistry forming, Vancouver now heads to New York to face the Rangers on Tuesday. If this debut was any indication, the Canucks may have found more than just replacements they may have found a new identity.
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