Vancouver Canucks: 3 takeaways from 4-2 loss to Lightning

The Vancouver Canucks made it close, but they just weren’t enough for the NHL’s best in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Here are three things we learned from their 4-2 loss.

There are some losses that you just have to take to heart and learn from, and Saturday night was one of those for the Vancouver Canucks. Outplayed, outmatched and out-skilled all around, they can’t hang their heads low in a 4-2 home loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The truth is, nobody has been able to touch the Lightning this year. Steven Stamkos could win the Hart Trophy. So could Nikita Kucherov — who may also take home the ‘Rocket Richard’ and Art Ross Trophies. Victor Hedman may take home the Norris, and Andrei Vasilevskiy could take home the Vezina.

In short, the Canucks aren’t built to keep up with the Lightning, so they could be happy that the game was close for long periods. With that said, let’s take a look at three things we learned from the 4-2 loss.

Weak blue line exposed again

It’s no secret that the Canucks have one of the worst defensive units in the NHL. But the Lightning really did a wonderful job in exposing the Vancouver defence once again. Head coach Travis Green knew his group just didn’t have it in them.

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Jacob Markstrom cannot be blamed for this. He was hung out to dry on the first three goals, and the fourth one was on a penalty shot.

The Canucks had too many defensive breakdowns, failed to key in on Stamkos and Kucherov, and didn’t have the speed/footwork to keep up with the Lightning.

This is why general manager Jim Benning has to trade Erik Gudbranson. This is why he should trade Alexander Edler. The defence needs a massive overhaul. Too many good puck movers with average speed. Not enough wheels to keep up.

Now, most teams have obviously struggled to defend against the Lightning’s high-flying offence. But most teams haven’t had an issue playing against the Canucks’ defencemen. Tampa did a great job in exposing this team’s mediocre unit once again.

Canucks look a lot better

The Canucks look destined to be a bottom-five team in the NHL for a third consecutive year, but the team is playing a lot better. They hung in there with a far superior Lightning team, and have been much better over the past three weeks.

Vancouver is still winners in three of their last five games, and Saturday night marked a third-straight strong performance from this team. The returns of Bo Horvat, Sven Baertschi and Chris Tanev have showed just how good this club can really be, when healthy.

The Canucks beat the Columbus Blue Jackets and playoff-hopeful Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche in January. They kept it close with the Lightning for a while. This team is miles better than the 2015-16 and 2017-18 teams.

Don’t let this loss make you think of the gap between the Canucks and Lightning. Let it be a reminder that the Canucks are gradually becoming a better and more entertaining team to watch each night.

Brock Boeser stays hot

It didn’t matter that Brock Boeser was facing the best team, with the best defenceman, with the best goalie thus far in 2017-18. The rookie superstar couldn’t be stopped, registering a goal and an assist against the Lightning.

Boeser is now up to 49 points, and trails Mathew Barzal by seven for the rookie lead. It should be noted that the latter has played in four more games, so ‘The Flow’ has plenty of time to catch up to Barzal.

Boeser had himself quite a money-making All-Star weekend in Tampa Bay last Saturday and Sunday, winning the game’s MVP award. It was only fitting that he repaid the city by scoring twice on them.

Next: Canucks: Latest power rankings heading into February

We’ll see if Boeser can continue catching up to Barzal as the Calder Trophy race heats up in the final two months of the season.

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