The Vancouver Canucks fell behind to the Flyers, but responded with two goals, one of which was Jannik Hansen’s first goal since Dec. 20.
The Vancouver Canucks dropped a 3-2 decision to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night.
After falling behind 3-0, they scored two second period goals. Markus Granlund scored the first, tipping a Daniel Sedin shot past goalie Michael Neuvirth.
The second came from Jannik Hansen, who is the Canucks player of the game:
Hansen is having a tough year, having dealt with two long-term injuries. The last came back on Dec. 22 against Winnipeg. He returned to the lineup on Feb. 4, and has been playing well lately on a line with Bo Horvat and Alexandre Burrows.
But he hadn’t yet found the back of the net for himself. With help from Horvat, he bumped that slump tonight:
That is the Dane’s first goal since he had a pair of them on Dec. 20. Two months is far too long to go between Hansen goals.
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Hansen was interviewed post-game on TSN 1040, and offered two interesting thoughts. First, when asked why the Canucks lost, he immediately responded “special teams”. And he has a point: the Flyers went 2-for-3 on the power play, while Vancouver did not score on their four chances.
His answer is ironic, because fans are clamoring for Hansen himself to get time on the power play. Tonight, he did not see a single second of time on the man-advantage. Instead, Jayson Megna remained on the first unit, alongside the Sedins and Troy Stecher, for every Canucks power play.
Jeff Paterson asked Willie Desjardins “why Megna on the power play?” during the coach’s press conference. His response baffled social media:
Why Megna on the power play? Willie: "He's a right-handed shot." Why not Hansen then? Says Hansen is more of a rush scorer.
— Jason Brough 🙁 (@SadClubCommish) February 20, 2017
The coach seems to honestly believe Megna is a bigger threat to score on the power play than Hansen. Interesting.
Hansen’s second interesting response came when he was asked if he had given thought that this was his last game as a Canucks. He immediately said no.
The trade deadline approaches and Vancouver is not gaining any ground in the standings. Trade rumors are constantly swirling around Hansen, who is one of a few players Vancouver could trade for draft picks or prospects.
Next: 3 Reasons Not to Trade for Duchene
With the Vancouver Canucks now on a five-day break, the speculation will only continue. Hansen would be a valuable addition to a playoff team, and the team would get valuable assets in return. But for now, he remains a Canuck, and he was one of their best players in a losing cause.