3 Key Vancouver Canucks Takeaways: Pettersson regressing, Boeser not missed and more from 3-1 win over Flames

Western Canadian hockey fans are always treated to a tough matchup when rivals Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames renewed acquaintances. Both teams met at Rogers Arena for the first time since Calgary's 6-5 overtime victory just over a month ago in Vancouver's home opener, with the Canucks hoping to exact some revenge.

And thanks to a bounce-back performance from first-year Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen, they managed to do just that by ultimately earning a 3-1 victory. The win improved Vancouver to 8-3-3 through 14 games, while the Flames fell to 8-6-3.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first period until exactly 60 seconds remained; it was Justin Kirkland who broke the ice with his second goal of the year, giving the Flames the 1-0 lead.

The Canucks would seize momentum right back in the second period thanks to goals from Elias Pettersson (PPG) and Pius Suter, their fourth and sixth goals of the season, respectively.

Just 6:19 into the third period, Erik Brannstrom would score his first goal in a Canucks uniform, doubling Vancouver's lead to two goals.

Dan Vladar made 29 saves in a losing effort, while Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen rebounded from a rare sub-par performance against the Oilers by making 27 saves in the win.

Here's a closer look at three big takeaways from Wednesday's game between Calgary and Vancouver.

3 major takeaways from Vancouver Canucks' 3-1 win over Calgary Flames

#3. Elias Pettersson continues to get better

While the Swedish star was criticized for his slow start to the season, he's been picking it up of late and now has four goals on the season. Naturally, Pettersson's improved play will serve to build up his confidence and get closer to the player who was rewarded with a hefty contract extension by the Canucks.

He also joined Canucks history on Tuesday night, becoming the 10th all-time highest scorer in team history.

#2. Canucks overcame the loss of Brock Boeser thanks to depth scoring

The Canucks are playing without leading goal scorer Brock Boeser, still feeling the effects of the dirty hit from Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot.

Tallies from Suter and Brannstrom helped deliver a valuable two points in the standings for Vancouver, who will want Boeser back as soon as possible but who got valuable contributions in his absence.

#1. Kevin Lankinen silences his doubters with rebound performance

While Lankinen was yanked in his last start against the Oilers in what was a rare subpar outing, he silenced any critics with a pristine bounce-back performance against the Flames.

The Canucks ought to count themselves fortunate that Lankinen was available for the taking via trade in the wake of starter Thatcher Demko's unavailability for the start of the year, because he's been one of the team's most valuable players.

The Vancouver Canucks host the New York Islanders at Rogers Place next on Thursday.