"He's been amazing all year long": Quinn Hughes makes feelings known about 29-year-old Vancouver Canucks goalie

Quinn Hughes and Kevin Lankinen carried the Vancouver Canucks in their 2-1 win on Saturday over one of the best teams in the league, the Washington Capitals. While Hughes scored both goals on another stellar offensive night, his goaltender made 32 saves for his 17th win this season.

Kevin Lankinen was beaten just once, a Pierre-Luc Dubois goal in the third period, but had 10 crucial saves in the third. In the first period, a highly skilled Capitals offense created looks but the Finnish nettender was able to shut shop. Overall, Vancouver was outshot 33-25. After the game, Hughes appreciated the 29-year-old's efforts throughout the season.

"Yeah, I mean, he's been amazing all year long," Hughes said. "Yeah, I mean, just made so many big saves, even early in the first couple, in the second he was spectacular again, on your first goal."

Lankinen also returned the favor in his postgame interview when asked about Hughes. Over the years, he faced Hughes when he was with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators. In his first year with the Canucks captain, he praised Hughes, who has put his name into Hart Trophy contention.

“I'm just extremely impressed,” Lankinen said. “Obviously, playing against him in the last few years, but now seeing him on a daily basis, just how he drags guys along and takes over games is remarkable. I'm just really happy to be witnessing that and just being the same side of that show.”

The Canucks won their 21st game of the season and stopped the Capitals juggernaut, as they had a 9-0-3 record in their last 12 games and had not lost in regulation time this year.

Kevin Lankinen's remarkable season amid contract extension talks

Kevin Lankinen, who is on a one-year $875,000 contract with the Canucks, has likely done enough to command a long-term deal. With Thatcher Demko struggling this season with injury layoffs and Artur Silovs heading back to development, Lankinen has become the primary goaltender.

He already has career highs this season in starts and games won. His 17-14 record goes with a 2.58 goals against average and he is at a .905 save rate. As per AFP Analytics projections, Lankinen could receive a contract worth $7-9 million annual average value.