Vancouver Canucks ‘Vrbat-trick’ Secures 5-2 Win: 3 Takeaways
Dec 7, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Radim Vrbata (17) scores a hat trick against Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark (not pictured) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
After five losses in a row, the Vancouver Canucks got back on track by scoring five goals in a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
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Losing is no fun and the Vancouver Canucks know that. But yet, they failed to get a ‘W’ for five straight games, and looked mentally absent for at least three of them. And as if four straight losses had not been enough, they even got shut out by none other than the Boston Bruins. Bad time to be a Canucks fan.
Luckily, the Nucks took the a first step toward a turn-around with a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. That’s right, they scored five goals — and the Sedins only combined for a goal and two assists, which means that three goals were scored without the help of Henrik and Daniel. That’s right.
So, does this mean Canucks playoff tickets are going on sale or was it just a random win in the midst of a terrible season? We will find out soon. Until then, let’s take a look at what happened last night.
Next: Vrbata Can Score
Dec 7, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Radim Vrbata (17) scores a hat trick against Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark (not pictured) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Radim Vrbata can score
A Russian forward named Alexander Semin was recently put on waivers by the Montréal Canadiens. When I suggested that the Canucks should take a chance at him, one of the responses I got was this:
So, in order to express how bad Semin is, this fella compared him to Radim Vrbata — who then went on to score a hat-trick… or a Vrbat-trick, if you will… I’d take Semin if he is anything like Vrbata.
All that aside, Vrbata played a great game and scored three even-strength goals. In this case, it was simply Vrbata, not his line, as he was on the ice with different players for each of his tallies. Chris Higgins had an assist on Vrbata’s first goal, Jared McCann went pointless.
Next: The Defence Needs Help
Dec 7, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Nicolas Deslauriers (44) checks Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis (2) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
The Defence Needs Help
We have known this all along, but it became apparent in Monday’s 5-2 win once again — the Canucks need help on defence. Mistakes happen, and at least one of the Sabres’ goals was a little bit lucky. But for the Canucks, defensive play like this is normality.
Matt Bartkowski had enough time for a breakout pass, but waited too long and turned the puck over, which then led to a 1-0 lead for Buffalo early in the third period. Ben Hutton is not to blame, but his attempt to force the puck out of the crease looks rather unfortunate as well. It’s what we are used to in Vancouver.
Then there was Buffalo’s goal that put the score to 4-2 early in the third. Dan Hamhuis does Hamhuis things, and Henrik Sedin can’t get the puck away from a falling Ryan O’Reilly.
What can be done about this? Probably not much right now. We will have to sit it out and wait for the younger players and prospects in the system to develop into more reliable defencemen.
Next: A New 2nd Line??
Dec 7, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhard (23) goes down against Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler (23) and forward Derek Dorsett (15) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Canucks Played a New 2nd Line
The Vancouver Canucks have a talented second line with McCann and Vrbata that only needs another scoring winger, right? Right?! Well, Willie Desjardins may have different plans.
Subtracting power play time, the Canucks’ time on ice leaders versus Buffalo were Brandon Prust, Adam Cracknell and Derek Dorsett, who all got to skate for around 15 minutes. Obviously, the first line around Henrik and Daniel would have had more ice time on even strength if it hadn’t been for the team’s six power plays, but it is still surprising. Prust, Cracknell and Dorsett are supposed to be the fourth line but got more ice time than Higgins, McCann and Vrbata. What are you up to, Willie D?
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It is hard to imagine that things are going to stay this way, but the fourth line has been getting an incredibly large amount of ice time lately, even when the team was trailing. Prust said “thank you Willie” by scoring his first goal as a Vancouver Canuck and adding an assist. As long as it works, who am I to question it.