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?
Thought No. 2: Markstrom over Miller?
Jacob Markstrom was spectacular once again in place of Ryan Miller. He made 29 saves on 30 shots while earning an assist for himself on Horvat’s 10th of the season. With that, the Canucks are 5-0-1 in the last six of Markstrom’s starts.
In the last 11 games that Markstrom as played (ever since Miller went down with the cramps), Markstrom has saved 323 of 346 shots he has faced. that is a .934 save percentage and a 2.09 goals against average.
More from The Canuck Way
- Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
- What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
- Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
- Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
- 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg
Miller hasn’t been bad either. In the seven games following his injury, he has a .933 save percentage and a 2.29 goals against average.
So what do I mean that Markstrom is trumping Miller?
It is not about their play, but the play of the team in front of them.
The team plays better with Miller in front of them. Shot-wise, at least. Funny thing is that Markstrom has a slightly better stat-line than Miller does.
With Miller in net, the Canucks are putting up 48.4 percent Corsi For as a team. But with Markstrom in net, the Canucks drop to 44.9 percent Corsi For.
It is one thing to never play above the 50 percent Corsi For mark. It is another thing when the back-up gets tougher minutes than the starter does.
When the back-up plays better than the starter does despite these factors against him? You got a case for a classic Vancouver Canuck goaltending controversy.
Next: Thought No.3: The Defence Steps Up
Thought No.3: The Defence Steps Up
The Canucks’ defence showed up for the game. The entire top-six. When was the last time Vancouver could say that, eh?
Let’s take it from the top down.
Chris Tanev played the number one role when Alex Edler left the game after taking a shot off his foot. Tanev still managed to log almost 25 minutes of ice time without his partner, picking up a team-high two takeaways and no giveaways. He also played more than four minutes shorthanded.
Guess who played number two. Dan Hamhuis.
Just the second game back from his devastating injury, the veteran pending unrestricted free agent played almost 23 minutes in what was the best game that I remember him play in recent history.
Hamhuis’s box score isn’t much. But his ability to backcheck and to disrupt plays in his own back end was spectacular last night. He definitely is upping his value, perhaps making a case to stay with the Canucks.
Ben Hutton had the best box score of all the defencemen. The rookie logged two assists and now has 15 points in 46 games. That is good for fourth place in the rookie defenceman scoring race.
Baertschi on Sbisa's rush: "That was Bobby Orr-style...It’s nice to see him go up there and dipsy-doodle and dangle and set up Bo there.”
— Brad Ziemer (@BradZiemer) February 10, 2016
The best story of the night might have been Luca Sbisa, who went end-to-end and around Nathan MacKinnon to set up Bo Horvat’s goal. Talk about confidence and filling in for Edler’s absence!
Sbisa also led all Canucks in hits with three and had the third-highest ice time after Tanev and Hamhuis. He had no giveaways and even had a takeaway!
Doesn’t that remind you of Edler in his prime?
Not saying Edler will not be missed or that Sbisa will turn into the next Edler. Just saying that if Sbisa plays like this every day, we might be happy with a Hutton-Sbisa pairing next year on our top-four.
Lastly, don’t forget about Matt Bartkowski. His mom might be a little disappointed if you do.
"My phone is blowing up right now" - Elizabeth Bartkowski pic.twitter.com/tx1hLTrzPB
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 10, 2016
Nice fake slap, lucky to have the puck go through the netminder. A goal is a goal, though!
Next: Thought No.4: Time to Cave to the Injury Gods?
Thought No.4: Time to Cave to the Injury Gods?
Dan Hamhuis came back from a shattered face, and we got another one just like that. Sutter is out indefinitely with a fractured jaw.
Scary moment as Sutter is hit with a puck.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 10, 2016
He left the game and has not returned. pic.twitter.com/WNfbsVIBCW
So is it Jared McCann time? Wonder if Adam Cracknell gets a shot with Jannik Hansen and Derek Dorsett on the fourth line. Either way, Sutter is out long term again.
It will be Cracknell tonight against the Arizona Coyotes.
So is Alex Edler.
Edler has not returned his taking a shot off the ankle. pic.twitter.com/wOLrx9MRcu
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 10, 2016
This has got to be disheartening for the Canucks. When Edler last had a major injury (back), he was never the same player coming back. Wonder if this gives a reason to trade him for Travis Hamonic+.
Just spitballin’ guys. Please don’t grill me.
Next: Thought No.5: Moms and the Standings
Thought No.5: Moms and the Standings
Perhaps the Canucks’ success is due to some of their mothers. This two-game road trip was accompanied by these moms who certainly made a name for themselves after last night’s game.
On that note, with the injuries piling up, I don’t know if they are helping the cause anymore. Love for Auston Matthews will be hard to find amongst those moms.
The Standings
Going into tonight’s match against the Coyotes, the Canucks sit just two points behind the Avalanche, the holder of the final wildcard spot, with three games in hand.
Between Vancouver and the Avalanche, though, are two teams — the Coyotes and the Minnesota Wild. The Canucks and the Coyotes are tied in points as of Wednesday afternoon, with Arizona with one extra game in hand.
The Wild have played the same number of games. If the Canucks win tonight, they would tie them in the standings.
Read Here: Canucks-Coyotes Outlook and Predictions
A win tonight and a win on Saturday could land the Canucks a wildcard spot. Keep an eye on the Wild, the Avalanche, and the Yotes.
If you haven’t given up after the injuries to Edler and Sutter, good for you. With the Anaheim Ducks surging ahead, it isn’t so much about the Pacific Division anymore as much it is about the Wild Card berth.
Next: Just like that: The Tank Is On
Enjoy the game tonight! It should be fun to watch…
*Stats courtesy of NHL.com and hockey-reference.com*