Vancouver Canucks: 3 takeaways from 4-3 loss to Buffalo Sabres

Well, that was the most painful Vancouver Canucks lost in quite some time. They had so many chances to put the game away, but the Buffalo Sabres stormed back with a clutch 4-3 shootout win. Here’s what we learned.

Over the past three years, we’ve seen the Vancouver Canucks blow plenty of multi-goal and/or third period leads, which is always expected when you’re engaged in a rebuild.

But Saturday’s 4-3 matinee shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres stings a lot more than any other we’ve seen throughout the years. Without All-Star forward Brock Boeser, the Canucks nearly defeated a red hot Buffalo team on the road. This would have been arguably their biggest feel-good victory of the young season.

As the clock winded down to the final minutes, however, the Canucks began playing like the team that was rebuilding two or three years ago. They got sloppy with the puck, and the Sabres scored twice in the final 2:27 to erase a 3-1 deficit and force overtime.

Vancouver had two power plays in the extra frame, but couldn’t finish it. They lost the ever-frustrating skills competition, moving to 1-0-2 on the road trip. Here’s what we learned from the 4-3 loss.

1. Please, please start holding onto leads

For the second time in three games, the Canucks blew a two-goal lead and failed to put away their opponents on the road. The lowly Detroit Red Wings erased a 2-0 deficit and defeated Vancouver in a shootout on Tuesday.

But Saturday’s loss was far more inexcusable, since the Canucks led by two goals with under three minutes left. And with two power plays in the extra frame, Vancouver couldn’t even muster one good scoring chance.

It doesn’t matter if they’re sitting atop the Pacific Division right now. Playoff teams don’t keep blowing leads. And in case you think this is an overreaction from one game, consider this stat from TSN 1040’s Jeff Paterson.

It’s not puck luck, goaltending or special teams miscues that will hold the Canucks back from making the playoffs. It will simply be their inability to close out games and stop teams from scoring in the late contests.

The Canucks cost themselves two points by not holding onto leads over Detroit and Buffalo. It’s even more frustrating when you consider they had prime chances to win both games in overtime and in the shootouts.

2. Loui and JV18 stay hot

Well, it’s time to look on the positive side.

Jake Virtanen and Loui Eriksson each contributed a goal, and the latter threw in an assist. While Elias Pettersson was held pointless and Bo Horvat managed a single assist, the Canucks once again got secondary scoring. Today, it came from JV18 and Loui.

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That’s now seven points for Eriksson in his last four games, as head coach Travis Green continues to see the dividends of giving the $36 million a little more ice time.

This isn’t to say that Eriksson is going to maintain this pace and wind up a 20-goal scorer, but it’s nice to see the struggling 33-year-old contribute some timely offence — especially during a very difficult road trip without Boeser.

As for Virtanen, he looks poised to hit the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career. The No. 6 pick from 2014 is once again reminding fans that patience is key for some young guys, himself included.

That’s now five goals for Virtanen in his last six games. But it’s not just about the fact Virtanen is simply finding the back of the net. It’s the way he’s using his lethal speed and big body frame to good use.

Virtanen rushed the puck up ice and put a backhand shot past Carter Hutton for his seventh on the season. Maybe it was a weak goal for Hutton to give up, but JV18’s superb skating and burst of speed is what set up the goal. He’s putting all of his tools to good use, and it’s why he’s close to surpassing last season’s goal total of 10.

3. Power play needs work

Well, the Canucks have some work to do.

The power play clearly misses Brock Boeser, whose lethal wrist shot was the main weapon for head coach Travis Green and PP specialist Newell Brown. The Canucks couldn’t score on four power play opportunities on Saturday — including two man advantages in overtime.

But I’m more concerned about the fact the Canucks couldn’t get one grade-A scoring chance in overtime. Hutton wasn’t even challenged in the 3-on-4 situation.

The Canucks may have gone 2-for-5 on the power play against the Boston Bruins on Thursday, but don’t forget they were also 0-for-3 in Detroit on Tuesday. Now, their power play ranks 15th at a mere 19.6 percent. That has to change if the Canucks want to maintain a playoff spot throughout the season.