"EP40 doesn't have to be a ghost every night": Fans criticise Elias Pettersson as Vancouver Canucks lose to Philadelphia Flyers in shootout

The Vancouver Canucks fell 3-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers in a shootout on Friday night.

While the Canucks got goals from Teddy Blueger and Nils Höglander, the Flyers responded with goals from Tyson Foerster and Cam York in regulation before shootout winner in the fifth round by Morgan Frost.

Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson stopped 24 shots, while Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen turned aside 29 shots in the loss. The defeat was another letdown as Canucks had also lost their season opener 6-5 OT to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night.

One Canuck who struggled was Elias Pettersson, who was held without a point for the second straight game. Pettersson was criticized by fans for his lack of production, having managed just one assist over the last two contests.

Many fans took to social media to express their frustration, with one fan commenting:

"I know it’s spooky season but EP40 doesn’t have to be a ghost every night"

Another fan wrote,

"You don’t pay a player $12 million per year that doesn’t produce points."

Here are some other fan reactions:

"We’ve sucked at shootouts for way too long, we watch Debrusk come in with speed and heat Errson blocker side and then nobody else does that after…" one fan wrote on X.

"Pettersson anonymous" another fan wrote.

"EP40 has one assist in 2 games. Money well spent. Same goes for Demko." a user commented.

"Petey is certainly living up to that contract! Guy is awful. Worst contract extension in Canucks history. Would rather have Loui or OEL back at least it was less money." another user wrote.

Vancouver Cancuks next face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday at Amalie Arena.

Full game recap: Vancouver Canucks 3-2 loss against the Flyers

The Canucks took the lead as Conor Garland made a play by intercepti­ng a pass in the Flyers’ zone setting up Nils Hoglander for a well placed wrist shot goal with 7 minutes left in the first period.

The Flyers answered back on the power play towards the end of the first period when Joel Farabee set up Tyson Foerster for a passing sequence to level the score 1-1. In the second period, Teddy Blueger put the Canucks back in front 2-1 after Derek Forbort's point shot was tipped in front.

However, the Flyers once again had an answer, as Cam York tied things up 2-2 in the third period with a wrist shot that beat Spencer Martin.

In his post-game interview, Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen said:

"Yeah, I think it was a hard fought game, I kind of knew their style of play and probably was, we're expecting a little bit of a grind game and I felt like that what it was. Too bad that we couldn't gram the extra point there."

Morgan Frost scored the winning goal for the Flyers in the fifth round for a 3–2 victory over the Canucks.