Vancouver Canucks Captain Quinn Hughes appears to be struggling with his injury once again. The star defenseman missed the last nine minutes of the third period on Saturday. His presence on and off the ice is clear as day in the team’s success.

This wasn’t an opportunity that the Vancouver Canucks could afford to miss. On a night when nearly all of their serious competition for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference lost in regulation,

Eeli Tolvanen had two goals, including the go-ahead score with 6:52 to go in the second period, and Vince Dunn had two assists to give him 200 for his career in the Seattle Kraken’s 6-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

NHL trade deadline appeared to be a seller’s market, with teams paying high prices for players who they hope can help them win the Stanley Cup. According to general manager Patrik Allvin, however, no one was willing to pay a reasonable price for the players the Vancouver Canucks had available.

The Kraken allowed their third shorthanded goal of the season — a number still among the league’s best — to Dakota Joshua. A bad turnover led to a 2-on-1 the other way. Then came the four unanswered Seattle goals, including Tolvanen’s empty netter.

It certainly wasn’t the showing at the 4 Nations Face-Off that Vancouver Canucks were hoping ... We move slightly down the board to number 14, Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken.

Seattle, WA - The Seattle Kraken will kick off a two-game homestand Saturday, March 1st, facing off against the Vancouver Canucks in what promises to be an exciting matchup. This is the third of four meetings between the division rivals,

Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) blocks a goal shot by Vancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil (72) during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credi

Star defenceman Quinn Hughes did not play the final 9:05 of the third period, once again putting the spotlight on his health after he also missed the 4 Nations Face-Off with an undisclosed injury.

March 2 - Eeli Tolvanen scored twice and Brandon Montour had a goal and an assist as the Seattle Kraken defeated the visiting Vancouver Canucks ... Andre Burakovsky, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Matty ...

but subsequent scores from Vancouver’s Pius Suter and Filip Chytil gave the Canucks a 2-1 lead. Oliver Bjorkstrand tied it with a goal for Seattle early in the second, but Dakota Joshua put ...