Nikita Tolopilo, the Vancouver Canucks goalie, made headlines with his first NHL start and victory, leading his team to a thrilling 2-1 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks. The 25-year-old Belarusian displayed impressive composure, stating he wasn’t nervous and focused solely on making saves. Despite missing his parents in attendance due to visa issues, he felt their support from afar. After a commendable performance with 15 saves, Tolopilo expressed gratitude for the opportunity and aims to build on this momentum.

His teammate Kirill Kudryavtsev also made his debut, logging over 13 minutes of ice time. Canucks coach Rick Tocchet praised both players, emphasizing their potential. The Sharks' lone goal came from rookie Macklin Celebrini, whose shot marked an emotional milestone for both him and his family, as he grew up dreaming of scoring in Rogers Arena. Meanwhile, Quinn Hughes, the Canucks captain, matched Alex Edler for the most points by a Canucks defenseman, further cementing his legacy.