3 Major Vancouver Canucks Takeaways: Lankinen shines with 32 saves, Boeser futile in return and more from 2-0 shutout win over Boston Bruins

It was a story of the West Coast meeting the East Coast on Tuesday night as the Vancouver Canucks traveled across the continent to face the Boston Bruins at TD Garden, a rematch of the bitter and hard-fought 2011 Stanley Cup Final that fans still remember well.

It also marked the return of former Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk, who spent the first several years of his NHL career with the team before departing over the summer to sign a seven-year contract with the Canucks.

The game was a low-scoring affair, as both teams went scoreless in the opening 20 minutes of play.

Fittingly, it was DeBrusk who scored the first goal of the game shortly into the second period.

With the Bruins pressing for the tying goal after pulling goaltender Jeremy Swayman, Conor Garland scored into the vacated net to seal the victory with just 13 seconds left in regulation.

Kevin Lankinen picked up another win for the Canucks with 32 saves, while Swayman was far less busy with only 13 saves on 14 shots.

3 major takeaways from Vancouver Canucks 2-0 win over Boston Bruins

#3. Brock Boeser's return was marked by rust

Vancouver's leading goal scorer made his return to action after missing seven games following a dirty hit from Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot earlier in the month.

However, his rust was apparent. He missed the net from in close, committed a turnover, and even ended up on the seat of his pants at one point while also making two trips to the penalty box. He finished the game with no shots in 17:11 of ice time and had an even plus-minus rating.

#2. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen turned in arguably his best Canucks performance

First-year Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen has been a godsend for the Canucks for the majority of his first season with the club. Signed as an insurance policy thanks to the absence of Thatcher Demko and the struggles of Arturs Silovs, Lankinen has morphed into Vancouver's de facto starter.

He picked up his second shutout of the season, making 32 saves as his teammates were badly outshot.

“Felt like I was seeing the puck, tracking well," Lankinen said. "At the same time, we battled extremely hard. Defence did a great job in front of the net.”

Lakinen improved his record to 10-3-2 in the 15 games he's suited up in.

#1. Cnaucks continue to elevate their game away from Rogers Arena

The Canucks have the NHL's best road record, which improved to 8-1 thanks to their win in Boston.

While most teams see home ice as an advantage, the Canucks seem to elevate their game when they're not in front of their home fans, something that typically happens in reverse for most teams.

With their win over the Bruins having kicked off a lengthy road trip, the Canucks will hope to make it a 9-1 record away from home when they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins next at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday.