Vancouver Canucks Defeat Colorado: 5 Thoughts

The Vancouver Canucks certainly proved that they can play. Though a win is two points, there is more to the story.

The Vancouver Canucks got two points and a “W” against the Colorado Avalanche, but that was not all that happened on Tuesday. A two-point game is a two point game, but was that win worth more than just two points? Or was that worth less than two points?

You make the call after you hear my thoughts. Here they are, four food for thoughts as the Canucks earn a solid 3-1 victory over the Avalanche.

Thought No. 1: Kid Line works, Sedin Line done?

Bo Horvat, Sven Baertschi, and Jake Virtanen were united to form the Kid Line and it paid off big-time for coach Willie Desjardins.

Horvat led the way with a goal and an assist, proving himself the top defensive presence on the ice with a game-leading four blocked shots. The trio combined to seven shots and a plus-five rating on the night.

The flip side of the equation is very questionable. The trio didn’t get any powerplay time at all. While the Sedins and Radim Vrbata took the majority of the one powerplay opportunity the Canucks had on Tuesday, the second unit featured Alex Burrows, Linden Vey, and Emerson Etem. Of course, they set up the equalizer.

But Henrik and Daniel, with their veteran comrade Vrbata, have disappeared altogether.

The “top-line” (at least in age), was out for the only Colorado goal of the night. The three of them combined for four shots, no blocked shots, just one hit, and three giveaways. If that does not spell disaster for the Canucks, I don’t know what does.

Here are some other numbers of note.

• Daniel has no points since his first game back from All-Stars, the 2-1 loss against the Nashville Predators.
• Henrik has no points since the loss to the Washington Capitals on January 14th. Could injury be a lingering factor?
• Vrbata no points since January 21st, the game against the Boston Bruins.

Does Vrbata still have trade value?

Next: Thought No. 2: Markstorm over Miller?