How sweet this one is. The Vancouver Canucks finally put an end to the eight-game losing streak and escaped with a 4-2 road win over the Los Angeles Kings. Here’s what we learned.
The Vancouver Canucks came away from the always-difficult California road trip with two points, taking down the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 and thus putting an end to the eight-game losing streak.
Vancouver will now come home and play five straight games at Rogers Arena, beginning with another matchup against the Kings on Tuesday. Hopefully, Saturday’s game was the start of a big-time winning streak — something this team desperately needs after losing out on so many crucial points over a two-week stretch.
For now, let’s focus on three wonderful and positive takeaways from Vancouver’s much-needed win at the Staples Center.
3. Adam Gaudette breaks through
Adam Gaudette finally got the monkey off the back, scoring his first career goal in the second period to put the Canucks up 1-0. It’s the first of (hopefully) man for the former Hobey Baker Award winner.
Gaudette came into this game with just three assists in 24 NHL games. But with his skill set, we all know he’s capable of producing at a high level. It all came together in Los Angeles on Saturday night, and Canuck fans can only hope this is the beginning of a promising career now.
Congrats to the 22-year-old on his first NHL goal. It was a feel-good win all around, but this undoubtedly takes the cake as the best moment of the night.
2. Sam Gagner makes most of second chance
The desperate and injury-ravaged Canucks were so desperate that they brought back forward Sam Gagner, who was on loan to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. But with a stout performance on Saturday night, the Canucks might want to think about keeping Gagner for the long run.
Gagner played 16:18 and scored Vancouver’s second goal of the game, and the power play certainly looked more dangerous with him on the ice. With Brock Boeser still injured, Gagner’s right-handed shot becomes a weapon. They need a player like Gagner to fill in until ‘The Flow’ returns.
Let’s be honest, there aren’t many forwards who have the same scoring abilities and speed as Gagner. He had a disappointing first season in Vancouver, but maybe a bit of time in the minors was good for Gagner to regain both his scoring touch and confidence.
The Canucks should keep giving Gagner ice time — especially on the power play — and see if he can produce like the top-six forward we’ve seen over the past decade. It’s a low-risk and potential high-reward move. Why not see if he has more to give?
1. Canucks regain early season form
The Canucks were one of the bigger surprises through the first month of the season, but that start was wasted with a miserable eight-game losing streak. Finally, they regrouped and escaped Los Angeles with a big 4-2 win.
Yes, the Kings are the worst team in the NHL right now. But in this league, you simply have to be happy with any win. The Canucks played arguably their best game of the season, limiting the Kings to 22 shots on goal and giving up very few scoring changes.
Vancouver is just two points behind the Dallas Stars for the final wild card spot, though the Canucks have played two extra games. They are one point behind the Anaheim Ducks for the third spot in the Pacific Division. Anaheim does have two games in hand, though.
The Canucks will look for the home-and-home sweep when they host the Kings on Tuesday night. With Boeser set to return soon, there’s good reason for optimism that Vancouver will bust out of this slump and start racking up more victories.