Vancouver Canucks: 3 takeaways from shutout loss to New York Islanders
The Vancouver Canucks took on the New York Islanders Saturday night and were shutout for a league-leading eighth time, losing by a score of 4-0.
The Vancouver Canucks power play continues to struggle, and it would seem Alex Edler cannot return quick enough. Here are my three takeaways from last night’s shutout loss.
Power play woes continue
The Canucks power play is now dead last in the league since January 1st. There are 30 other NHL teams, and the Canucks power play has had less success than every other power play in the league — let that sink in.
The last player on the Canucks to score on the power play is Elias Pettersson — not much of a surprise — but that goal came way back on Valentine’s Day against the Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks power play struggles continued against the Islanders last night.
It wasn’t for a lack of effort, however, as the Canucks appeared to have scored on their first power play of the night. The puck appeared to get past New York goaltender Robin Lehner, at least that’s how it looked to Bo Horvat who had both arms raised as the red light behind the Islanders goal turned on — the only problem was, the puck did beat Lehner but didn’t cross the goal line.
The Canucks just couldn’t seem to catch a break last night on the power play, and like many games prior to this one, they couldn’t find a way to put the puck in the back of the net when they had a man advantage.
Big games for Sautner and Goldobin
Two players who have been afforded more starts and ice time thanks to all the injuries that have plagued the Canucks as of late are Ashton Sautner and Nikolay Goldobin.
Goldobin was on Horvat’s line and played relatively well. He saw time with the second power play unit and was creating offence nearly all night — but it was his play away from the puck that everyone was keeping a close eye on — especially head coach Travis Green, who had this to say about Goldobin’s play last night:
Travis Green: "I thought Goldy had one of his better games this season. He plays like that every night and he's a good player. He was strong, he went after the puck, he won some puck battles. It was obvious. I think a lot of people noticed it, our guys on the bench noticed it."
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) February 24, 2019
From what I personally saw of Goldobin, he looked to have a pretty solid game defensively. He was stripped of the puck a few times, but he doesn’t deserve to be singled out, because he was far from the only one to lose the puck last night.
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
A play from Goldobin that really caught my eye was when he outmuscled Cal Clutterbuck in the corner of the Canucks end of the ice early in the third period. Maybe Goldobin is slowly starting to get what coach Green has been trying so hard to help him understand — the tenacity he needs to play with in order to remain in the lineup.
Another player who likely wouldn’t be seeing much ice-time without the current injuries is Sautner, who played in his second game of the season for the Canucks last night. Sautner has been a pleasant surprise. He has been responsible defensively and showed that he is comfortable with the puck on his stick.
In his first game, I noticed Sautner made a few bad pinches but looked to be getting more and more comfortable as the game progressed. The same could be said of his game last night. As he continues to rock the full face shield “fishbowl” helmet due to his facial injury suffered earlier this season, Sautner has been one of the Canucks more reliable defenceman in his first two games this season.
Sautner and Goldobin will both look to continue to make good impressions and try and make management to have to make a few difficult decisions once everyone gets healthy.
Playoff chances not looking good
Another game, another two points that the Canucks failed to pick up in the thick of a playoff race. I do not think it’s time to give up on playoff hopes, however, because if we have learned anything about the Western Conference this season, it’s that it’s going to be close right to the end.
It doesn’t look like anyone is going to pull ahead in the playoff race, but that could change very soon with the way the Colorado Avalanche have been playing lately — who have won four games straight and now are the sole possessors of the second and final wild-card spot in the West.
The Canucks will need to string together more than just a few wins to remain in the playoff picture, but really won’t be out of it per se for a while. The other teams in the Western Conference that are in this playoff race have struggled all season long, and the Canucks will hope those woes continue for the other teams while the Canucks try their best to turn it around.
Next. What Jonathan Dahlen needs to do to make it with the Vancouver Canucks. dark
The Canucks have now lost eight of their last ten games, and have lost three straight. They will need to turn it around quickly and will need some of their more key players to return sooner, rather than later because a playoff berth is becoming more and more unlikely with each loss. The Canucks will look to turn it around this Monday when they face the Anaheim Ducks from Rogers Arena.