VANCOUVER — All he wanted to do when he came to the Vancouver Canucks was win because, really, that’s all Jake DeBrusk had done in his first seven National Hockey League seasons with the Boston Bruins. Mostly, all he has done since he got here is lose. 

So when DeBrusk, after his lowest ice time this season, was able to flip a forehand under the crossbar in the shootout to give the Canucks a stunning 4-3 win Thursday against the Nashville Predators, the 29-year-old winger was able to enjoy a rare moment of satisfaction knowing that he had actually helped his team win.

“Yeah, it feels rare,” he smiled. “I've had a couple chances in the shootouts with that move; I've hit, like, three posts or three cross bars, something like that. So it was nice to see it actually work for once and, yeah, it feels good. Any way that I can help feels awesome.”

Signed to a seven-year free-agent contract by the Canucks two summers ago largely for his 86-game playoff resume, DeBrusk was among names of veteran Vancouver players being tossed like confetti in trade conjecture ahead of last Friday’s NHL deals deadline.

He told PostMedia last week that he was “not built for rebuilds,” a remark reflecting frustration that DeBrusk quickly walked back the next day.

But the agony of this season on the Canucks’ handful of senior players has been obvious. Instead of playing for a Stanley Cup, they’re expected to lead the academy of prospects the organization is amassing for its........

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