Vancouver Canucks: 3 keys to victory over Tampa Bay Lightning

Five days after a tough home loss to the NHL’s best team in the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Vancouver Canucks will look to exact revenge on the road. They’ll have to follow these three keys if they want to pull off the upset.

The Vancouver Canucks have been playing very up-and-down hockey since the All-Star weekend concluded last week. Despite losing 4-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning last Saturday, it was actually a very strong and solid effort by the Canucks forwards and goalie Jacob Markstrom.

But unfortunately, the rebuilding Canucks just weren’t able to keep up with a team whose players could bring home the Art Ross, Hart, ‘Rocket Richard’, Norris and Vezina Trophies. This Tampa team is one of the most dominant in recent memory, and they’re widely considered as the favourites to win the Stanley Cup right now.

The Canucks did sweep the Pittsburgh Penguins in the season series, and they did humiliate the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals back in October. We know they’re capable of beating anyone on any night.

Here are three keys the Canucks must follow if they want to pull off the shocking victory in Tampa.

Start out conservatvie

If the Canucks think they can jump past the Lightning with their inferior speed and skill set early, then they’re only kidding themselves. This team got trapped early and often in their meeting, and Tampa was up 2-0 5:52 into the game.

That forced the Canucks to play catch up all night long, and the Lightning were able to attack further and bring Vancouver to their mercy. Head coach Travis Green and his players just couldn’t figure out how to break through the wall of Tampa.

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

Playing on the road against a much better Lightning team is as intimidating as it gets. If I’m the coach, I’m telling my players to play it safe early. Do some dump and chasing. Clog up the neutral zone. Don’t try any fancy plays.

Do this for about five to 10 minutes. Get the defence comfortable. Frustrate the Lightning. Then, begin to attack more on offence and try to get the all-important first goal.

Special teams matter

This game could very well be determined by who takes advantage most on the power play. Per NHL.com, the Lightning (78.4 percent ) and Canucks (78.0 percent) rank 24th and 26th in penalty kill percentage, respectively.

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

Both teams have awful penalty kills, but dangerous power plays. Tampa Bay scores on 23.4 percent of their power plays (fifth-best in the NHL), while the Canucks rank ninth with a 21.4 percentage.

The Canucks didn’t score on any of their three man advantages on Saturday. The Lightning converted on one of four. That was a penalty shot by Cory Conacher, while Tampa held the man advantage.

Unfortunately for the Canucks, Tampa has the right speed and personnel to take away Brock Boeser‘s dangerous shot from the left circle. They may have to look for other options on the power play.

The Sedins don’t pose the same threat that they used to, and chances are the well-coached Lightning don’t fall for their back-and-forth passing.

Take more point shots? Try to set up from behind the net? The Canucks will have to try a different approach on the power play. Which, by the way, could very well determine if they win this game.

Stay physical and defensive

The Canucks are used to playing against bigger and physical teams like the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. The Lightning are not exactly one of those teams, as their game is built entirely on speed and all-around skill.

Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson are going to skate circles around most of their opponents. This is where Green needs Chris Tanev and Erik Gudbranson to dish out the hits, get physical and wear down the opponents.

When Vancouver played Tampa last week, they out-hit the visitors 20 to 11. The Canucks were able to cut a 3-0 lead down to goal, before Conacher iced it. This is how the Canucks are going to have to try and win – stay physical and tough on the opponents.

Next: Canucks have 5 prospects in Craig Button's top 50

That’s all they really can do. Tampa Bay has far too much speed and skill, so the Canucks shouldn’t try countering it. Play like your Pacific Division foes, and try to wear them down for the chance to steal a road game.