Rick Tocchet did not hold back in his post-game interview, as he put his team's defense on blast after they surrendered seven goals to Columbus in a loss. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/canucks/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The Vancouver Canucks</a> are battling hard, but they might be kicking themselves for allowing a valuable point get away in <a href='https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/blue-jackets-7-canucks-6-hustle-but-blown-point-playoff-chase' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Friday's 7-6 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.</a> Up 3-0 after a period, the Canucks should have had this one in the bag. Instead, they collapsed and let Columbus, who had been struggling, claw back and eventually steal the victory. Though earning a point in overtime is preferable to earning none, two would have been much more useful. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1905849123947028713'> </a></blockquote></div> With each contest critical to their playoff chase, Vancouver's youthful club isn't disappearing. They need to learn to finish games from beginning to end, however. <h3>The Canucks had good defense for most of the season, except last night</h3> All season long, their problem has been more a matter of offense, as good defense has enabled them to remain in games. Friday night, however, the roles were reversed, as they had offense aplenty, but insufficient stops. It was a nail-biting game, and head coach Rick Tocchet likely needed to take a deep breath prior to addressing the media. When he did, he conceded the team's mistakes at critical junctures that cost them. (But) the fight was there, he said. It was just too bad his young squad couldn't shut the door after going up 5-3 early in the third. At 5-3, a couple mistakes. We're losing battles, he said. When pressure hits, you've got to face it. They're trying hard but it's a lesson for them. You've got to squash these plays in the corner. - Rick Tocchet <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1905812204638625978'> </a></blockquote></div> <a href='https://www.nhl.com/standings/2025-03-28/wildcard' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The Canucks sit with 81 points</a> and nine games left on their schedule. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/standings/2025-03-30/wildcard' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>They trail the last Western Conference playoff position</a> by four points, currently held by the St. Louis Blues, and have one game in hand. To get into the playoffs, they'll have to see St. Louis lose while keeping <a href='https://www.nhl.com/flames/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the Calgary Flames</a> behind them.