Vancouver Canucks fans can’t get enough of Conor Garland right now.
The 28-year-old had another spectacular game on Friday afternoon as his three points helped the Canucks topple the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in overtime.
Garland wasn’t just the Canucks’ best skater on the night, he was putting together highlight-reel plays that will be rewatched for a long time, and they happened in the most Garland-esque way ever.
To start, Garland stacked both legs together to block a Tage Thompson one-timer. The Sabres forward has one of the heaviest shots in the league, but that didn’t stop Garland.
“I know how hard he hits it, so I was a little nervous dropping there,” explained Garland postgame.
The puck flew off Garland’s shins in the other direction to teammate Pius Suter who scored to put the Canucks up 3-1.
Pius Suter gives the Canucks a 3-1 lead with a beauty! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/NIYGqv0fuO
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 29, 2024
It was a perfect representation of the heart and passion Garland brings to the ice every game, and fans were eating it up.
That has to be the best block that’s ever led to a goal. Crazy pad stack by Garland
— Jimothy Timothy Miller (@Conditional1st) November 29, 2024
Conor Garland is the best Canuck ever 💪. What a shot block #Canucks
— Greg P (@gregprzada17) November 29, 2024
greatest shot block of all time from garland
— andrew (@peteyszn) November 29, 2024
One of the best assists in Canucks History.
— Craig Klemets (@Koachck) November 29, 2024
Double pad stack by garland for the assist… holy 🤮
— Jaden (@_jrakhra23) November 29, 2024
While on any other night, that shot block would’ve been the story, Garland followed it up with an even better play later in the game.
The winger scored the game-winning goal in overtime with a shot that he put between his legs. It was a ridiculous display of skill and a perfect representation of Garland’s game as he got to the dirty area of the ice.
THE CANUCKS GET IT DONE IN OVERTIME! 🤩
Conor Garland nets the @SUBWAYCanada OT winner for Vancouver! pic.twitter.com/kcl6ldvKGs
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 29, 2024
Fans loved this play even more than they did the shot block.
First the insane block and then the gaming winning goal? We love GOATland
— VNM (@RigoVNM) November 29, 2024
🐐
— Kelsey Thompson (@KelseyThompson8) November 29, 2024
He has the heart of ten!
— Dr Bud Prizeman (@RobertMutis1) November 29, 2024
this year’s MVP
— Eliza (@3WishGenie) November 29, 2024
Conor Garland 🥹🥲💚💙
Assisted by his “godfather” Quinn Hughes!!!— Ivy Arunan (@IvyArunan1096) November 29, 2024
I knew since you came to Canucks that you are something special. 💪💪💪
— Jelena Stamenkovic (@zorica_jelena) November 29, 2024
“The play there was incredible,” said head coach Rick Tocchet about Garland’s game-winner.
Garland has 21 points in the first 22 games. His current career high is 52 points, set in the 2021-22 season, a number he seems destined to smash this year.
The forward and his wife just had their first baby and he has recorded at least one point in every game since the child’s birth.