Canucks star defenseman Quinn Hughes dropped a rather bold claim about his level of play before facing the Blues.

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues NHL game to be played on January 27, 2025 on ESPN.

On Saturday night in Vancouver, the Canucks were somewhat soundly outplayed in the opening 20 minutes but managed to come out of the first period thanks to some misses at the goal mouth from Tom Wilson, Matt Roy and Lars Eller and thanks to one of the most absurd individual offensive efforts you’ll see all season from a blueliner.

Quinn Hughes is not one to settle. Last season, the Vancouver Canucks' captain won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenceman. Then he spent his off season further perfecting his game. The work is paying off — the 25-year-old American defenceman scored twice Saturday and powered the Canucks to a 2-1 victory over the league-leading Washington Capitals.

Quinn Hughes scored two goals and the Vancouver Canucks held on to defeat the visiting Washington Capitals 2-1 on Saturday night, ending Washington's six-game winning streak.