Demko made his best saves early in the second period, stopping Cale Makar on a power play rush and Nichushkin’s rebound attempt just 15 seconds later. He then got a wrist shot from MacKinnon from the top of the left circle at 3:47.

“(Demko) played well, credit is due, but I think we can’t settle for not scoring and try to find a way no matter what happens,” Blackwood said. “He’s a good goalkeeper, he’s overcome some adversity there, but apart from the game I’m obviously happy he can come back and play this year.”

Blackwood was good on the other side, too, in what was only his second start since being acquired in a trade with the San Jose Sharks on December 9th.

“It was a nice game,” he said. “Nothing major, but there’s a lot to build on.”

MacKinnon hit the post on a power play at 13:11 of the third period for Colorado, which finished 0-4 with the man advantage and is 1-for-18 in its last seven games.

“It’s been a work in progress for us lately,” Bednar said. “It’s kind of been the story of our last few games. … They’re just struggling to get it more consistent, get to the inside of the ice and get good looks. There are some things I like today where they took a step but just couldn’t find the end of the net.”

Sherwood completed the hat trick at 17:25 of the third period to make it 3-0, shooting into an empty net from just inside his own blue line.

“I just tried to take it in, having the whole arena (singing), that’s what you dream about as a kid,” he said. “Those are the moments that you work for and you just manifest and visualize, so I’m really thankful and thankful for that.”

Nichushkin ended Demko’s shutout attack with 46 seconds left, converting a pass from Mikko Rantanen to make the final score 3-1.

NOTES: Rantanen extended his point streak to six games (three goals, nine assists). … Colorado forward Tye Felhaber scored a goal in 4:34 of ice time in his NHL debut after signing a two-year contract on Sunday. … Sherwood becomes the 13th player in Canucks history to score a natural hat trick and the first to do so since Brock Boeser on December 12, 2023. … Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen missed his second straight game due to illness.