The 4 Nations Face-Off was one wave of emotions felt by fans. The seven-day event attracted millions of attention worldwide, with four nations competing for one title. Team Canada took home the winning honor after defeating the USA in the finale game, giving a score of 3-2 in overtime. With such an ending, it was a big setback received with the NHL regular season continuing forward after the 4 Nations took over for two weeks. The Vancouver Canucks are left in a worried position after getting two of its major players in doubt to continue for now. Friday night’s practice of the Canucks saw Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes leaving early.
A recent update from an X post has highlighted the unavailability of both Pettersson and Hughes, as previously confirmed by coach Rick Tocchet. Elias Pettersson suffered an injury in the 4 Nations tournament match while representing Sweden. Hughes, on the other hand, was left away from the 4 Nations Face-Off for representing Team USA. Suffering an unexpected injury in the Dallas Stars matchup that was one week before the tournament led the player to miss four games of the team.
Hughes currently leads the Vancouver Canucks in scoring with 59 points in 47 games, making his absence a significant blow to the team’s defensive and offensive capabilities. Pettersson, meanwhile, has recorded 11 goals and 34 points in 49 games this season, though his recent form has been concerning.
“Per Canucks coach Rick Tocchet, C Elias Pettersson’s status is day-to-day w injury from 4 Nations, and it doesn’t appear Quinn Hughes will be ready to play SAT vs VGK. Both Pettersson and Hughes left the ice shortly after today’s practice began,” stated the post made by SportsNet reporter Iain MacIntyre. Pettersson played all three games for Sweden but failed to register a point, a performance that drew significant criticism from fans. Despite his struggles, his role remains crucial for the Canucks as they push forward in the season.
Per Canucks coach Rick Tocchet, C Elias Pettersson’s status is day-to-day w injury from 4 Nations, and it doesn’t appear Quinn Hughes will be ready to play SAT vs VGK. Both Pettersson and Hughes left the ice shortly after today’s practice began.
— Iain MacIntyre (@imacSportsnet) February 22, 2025
After a seven-game trip, the Vancouver Canucks return back to the NHL grounds for a five-game road journey that begins with the Vegas Golden Knights. The scheduled match against the Golden Knights in Canada will see the absence of Pettersson and uncertain availability of captain Hughes in the team. But with Pettersson’s underwhelming performance in the tournament, the player is not coming off well in terms of his form.
Vancouver Canucks’ Pettersson struggled in the 4 Nations
After representing Team Sweden for three games in the 4 Nations tournament, Canucks forward Elias Pettersson had a zero-point outing, recording just two shots on goal. His performance has drawn criticism from fans and analysts alike. Coming off with 11 goals and 34 points in 49 games this NHL season, Pettersson’s presence as Sweden’s No. 2 center in the tournament was expected to have a greater impact. However, things did not go as planned.
In the opening match against Canada, Pettersson logged 23 shifts, followed by 20 shifts in the second game against Finland. His ice time suggested an effort to contribute, but the lack of scoring impact remains a concern. His struggles in the tournament not only affected his confidence but also raised questions about his ability to perform in high-stakes international matchups.
His lack of offensive production in the tournament further fueled criticism from fans, with some questioning whether his contract value aligns with his current performance level. Despite these challenges, Pettersson remains a crucial part of the Vancouver Canucks’ lineup, and the team is working to help him regain his form.
His injury status remains day-to-day, with his availability for the upcoming game against the Vegas Golden Knights still uncertain. Meanwhile, Quinn Hughes has officially been ruled out, forcing the Canucks to make lineup adjustments as they push through this critical stretch of the season.
The post Vancouver Canucks Injury Report: Quinn Hughes Availability in Question After 4 Nations appeared first on EssentiallySports.