3 most impressive Vancouver Canucks players from 2-1 win over Washington Capitals feat. Quinn Hughes

The Vancouver Canucks entered Saturday night’s game against the Washington Capitals in desperate need of a victory, having gone 1-3 in their last four games and fallen to fifth place in the Pacific Division. The Seattle Kraken were only three points behind them.

Meanwhile, the Capitals are one of the most impressive teams in the NHL this season, occupying the top spot in the Metropolitan Division.

The Canucks squeaked out a 2-1 victory, thanks to a pair of goals from captain Quinn Hughes and the Vancouver defense holding the resurgent Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin at bay, preventing him from continuing his chase for history.

With the victory, the Canucks improved to 21-17-10, while the Capitals fell to 33-11-5.

The scoring started just past the midway point of the first period when Hughes notched his 13th goal of the season, giving the Canucks a 1-0 lead, which they took into the first intermission.

Twice was nice for Hughes, who struck again early in the second period, scoring his second of the game just 1:24 into the middle frame for his 14th goal.

The Canucks held the 2-0 lead through the rest of the second period and most of the third period, until things got tense when Pierre-Luc Dubois scored his 10th goal at the 12:31 mark, spoiling Kevin Lankinen’s shutout bid.

But despite their efforts, the Capitals were unable to gain the equalizer. The Vancouver Canucks held on for the 2-1 victory, thanks in large part to Lankinen’s 32 saves. Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 23 saves.

3 most impressive Vancouver Canucks players from 2-1 win over Washington Capitals

#1. Quinn Hughes

The Canucks captain and reigning Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's best defenseman came through in the clutch for his team, scoring the first two goals of the game and looking much more like his confident self.

As one of the best players in the NHL at his position, the Vancouver Canucks are counting on Hughes’ abilities to help them navigate through the internal difficulties that have plagued them this season.

#2. Kevin Lankinen

Returning to the form that made him one of the unsung heroes of the season, Lankinen was spectacular against the Capitals.

He stopped all seven shots he faced from Ovechkin, along with four shots from Dylan Strome.

#3. Filip Hronek

Having recently returned from injury, Hronek made an impact with a pair of assists, both coming on Hughes’ goals.

The Vancouver Canucks will need Hronek at his best if they are to not only advance to the postseason but make an extended run, and his performance on Saturday night was an ideal one.