The Vancouver Canucks lost 3-1 to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night, dropping to 0-2 in the 2026 pre-season.
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The Vancouver Canucks opened their 2026 pre-season with a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames, a result that left Vancouver winless through two games at 0-2. In the matchup, the Flames dressed a lineup that was described as likely close to what they will use on opening night, while the Canucks’ roster featured a heavy youth presence.
Vancouver’s goaltending, led by 31-year-old Kevin Lankinen, kept the contest within reach despite an extended shot disparity. Calgary fired 31 shots on goal compared to Vancouver’s nine, and Lankinen made 28 saves. Although all three goals came in the second period, his performance during that middle frame was still notable, with 15 saves on 18 Calgary attempts after an opening period in which Vancouver found itself absorbing pressure.
The game flow reflected a tough stretch for Vancouver in the second period, but Lankinen also helped stem further damage and provide stability for younger teammates throughout. The report also characterized Lankinen’s start as a bounce-back from a less successful scrimmage at training camp the previous Saturday.
Among Vancouver’s forwards, Aatu Räty stood out as the team’s most effective offensive presence during the loss. Räty led the Canucks with two shots on goal and added three more shot attempts. His two-way work and decision-making at centre also showed in the faceoff circle, where he went 15-for-20.
Räty’s performance came on a night described as an improvement after a “less-than-ideal” showing in Vancouver’s previous pre-season game on Saturday. In addition to his shot and faceoff numbers, he was also credited with winning board battles and appearing engaged offensively in the run of play.
For the Canucks, the third key standout was Adam Novotný, an 18-year-old playing in his second career pre-season game. The report credited him with constant effort in the forechecking department, and he finished tied for second on the team with four shots.
Novotný’s impact also extended into special teams and puck support moments, with a blocked shot recorded during the game and one additional shot on goal credited in the available breakdown. He was described as not looking out of place in this second pre-season appearance.
The matchup also provided a sense of where Novotný may fit moving forward, based on his training-camp and pre-season work to date. While the report said he will most likely return to the OHL, it suggested he has shown signs of being closer to NHL readiness than initially expected.
As the Canucks head deeper into their pre-season schedule, the Tuesday night result offers a clear snapshot: Vancouver struggled to generate offence against a heavily stocked Flames roster, Calgary dominated puck time and shot volume, and individual performances—particularly from Lankinen and Räty—helped keep the scoreline from widening further.
Räty’s outing also marked a personal pre-season milestone in the available reporting, identified as his final game of the 2026 pre-season, as Vancouver continues refining combinations with an emphasis on young players ahead of the regular season.
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