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Golden Knights top Canucks in Tortorella's debut
Vegas wins 4-2 as new Canucks coach Tortorella falls short in first game
Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:43am
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A cubist interpretation of the intense action on the ice as the Golden Knights and Canucks battle in a high-stakes NHL matchup.The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 on Monday night in John Tortorella's first game as the new head coach of the Canucks. Reilly Smith scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period and Adin Hill made 22 saves for the Golden Knights.
Why it matters
Tortorella's arrival in Vancouver has generated significant buzz as the fiery coach looks to turn around a Canucks team that has struggled in recent seasons. This loss in his debut is an early setback, but Tortorella is known for his ability to quickly instill discipline and a winning mentality in his players.
The details
The Golden Knights jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but the Canucks battled back to tie the game at 2-2 in the second period. However, Reilly Smith's late goal in the second gave Vegas the lead for good, and Adin Hill's strong goaltending preserved the victory for the home team.
- The game was played on Monday, March 31, 2026.
- It was John Tortorella's first game as the new head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
The players
Reilly Smith
A forward for the Vegas Golden Knights who scored the game-winning goal.
Adin Hill
The goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights who made 22 saves in the victory.
John Tortorella
The new head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, making his debut with the team.
Vegas Golden Knights
The NHL team that defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-2.
Vancouver Canucks
The NHL team that lost 4-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights in John Tortorella's coaching debut.
What they’re saying
“We came out a little flat, but I'm proud of the way the guys battled back to tie it up. Unfortunately, we just couldn't get the go-ahead goal in the end.”
— John Tortorella, Head Coach, Vancouver Canucks
What’s next
The Canucks will look to bounce back in their next game against the Anaheim Ducks on April 2nd, as Tortorella continues to implement his system and get his team playing to their full potential.
The takeaway
Despite the loss, Tortorella's debut as Canucks head coach showed glimpses of the team's potential to compete with one of the Western Conference's top teams. As he settles in, the Canucks will aim to build on this performance and start climbing the standings under their new leadership.
