Vancouver Canucks: 3 takeaways from shutout win over Anaheim Ducks
The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Anaheim Ducks last night by a score of 4-0. Here are my three takeaways from the game.
On the night of a busy trade deadline day in which the Vancouver Canucks shipped out two players and welcomed in a couple new faces in return, the Canucks had a commanding victory over the Anaheim Ducks, picking up the shutout victory. Here are my three takeaways from last night’s game.
Sautner and Schenn an effective pairing
After the Canucks shipped out defenceman Erik Gudbranson to the Pittsburgh Penguins yesterday, it meant that there would be an opening for Luke Schenn to get some ice time.
Schenn was acquired alongside a seventh-round pick last month from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Michael Del Zotto. Last night, however, was Schenn’s first game in a Canucks uniform.
Schenn found himself with a defence partner whom he is familiar with from his time spent in Utica this year; Ashton Sautner. Sautner and Schenn have been a reliable pairing for the Utica Comets this year and played well with one another last night.
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Early in the first period, Sautner made his first good pinch of the night — one of many, I might add — and kept the play alive for his team in the offensive zone. Schenn and Sautner were both reliable defensively, moved the puck well.
The most important thing that I saw from the two of them was the fact that they didn’t try to do anything too flashy and out of their comfort zones — they simply played their games and were solid last night.
The two of them may very well remain together and be a solid third pairing for the Canucks down the final stretch of the season once Alex Edler and Chris Tanev return from their injuries.
Is Goldy finally starting to “get it”?
Just a game after receiving high praise from head coach Travis Green, Nikolay Goldobin showed up big again last night. Playing back on the Canucks’ top line with Elias Pettersson and birthday boy Brock Boeser, Goldobin scored early in the first to give the Canucks a one-goal lead early on.
What was really encouraging about Goldobin’s play last night was the way he backchecked and hustled. As frustrating as it must have been for Goldobin to constantly be a healthy scratch, it’s finally seeming like he is starting to get what the coaching staff have been trying so desperately to help him understand.
This tweet from TSN’s Jason Brough may have summed up Goldobin’s performance best:
When Goldy plays like he's playing tonight, both his supporters ("see? he's good!") and critics ("see? that's what happens when you move your damn feet!") can claim victory.
— Jason Brough 🙁 (@SadClubCommish) February 26, 2019
One of the only bright spots on a lacklustre performance for the Canucks on Saturday night was Goldobin’s improved play. In his post-game press conference Saturday night, coach Green had lots of praise for Goldobin, saying “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.”
His teammates noticed it. That is something of the utmost importance — earning the respect of your teammates like someone such as Pettersson has. Green said that he once again was pleased with Goldobin’s play last night, adding that it was “nice to see.”
Coach Green has said all along that it was going to be up to Goldobin if he got back in the lineup, meaning if Goldobin worked hard and did what the coaching staff has been telling him he needs to do, he’ll be back in. Goldobin seems to finally be getting it, but much like the rest of his team — can’t afford to take his foot off the gas for even a second.
Team wants to make the playoffs… badly
The Canucks needed this win. They needed to win in commanding fashion, too. They could not win in overtime or shootout. The team was near rock-bottom after the shut out defeat Saturday night. They needed to show one another that they are willing to do whatever it takes to win and that they are all in on the race for the playoffs.
Whether you’re on #TeamTank or #TeamPlayoffs, you have to understand how badly the Canucks players want to make the playoffs. Just listen to this clip from Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser. They put out a similar message — they are in it to make the playoffs.
Pettersson said, “We just want to make the playoffs.” There is a similar feeling in the Canucks dressing room. They want to win, but more importantly, they want to win for each other.
After losing eight of their last ten games prior to last night, the playoffs were looking slim, but after yesterday, the mantra may have changed with the Canucks.
Don’t get me wrong, the Canucks chances of making the playoffs are extremely low, they need to hop over more than a few teams in the standings in order to get there, and will need to string together more than just a few wins.
But as more and more of the Canucks’ players get healthy, the team will look to get their swagger back down the final stretch of the season. Jacob Markstrom has shown he’s here to stay and that he can backstop the team to wins.
Bo Horvat netted two goals last night, and with Tanner Pearson arriving soon, the likely future captain of the team will look to make this the start of a hot streak for both himself and the team.
I’m not saying I expect the Canucks to make the playoffs, but last night’s performance showed us that they want it — badly. With more of their injured players slated to return, (Alex Edler will travel with the team on their upcoming three-game road trip) the players are going to do everything in their power to get there.
Next. Trade deadline day recap: Vancouver Canucks part ways with Gudbranson and Dahlen. dark
The Canucks will look to build off their big win from yesterday, when they take on the Colorado Avalanche — a team ahead of them in the playoff race — Wednesday night from the Pepsi Center in Denver.