Vancouver Canucks: 3 takeaways from shutout win over Anaheim Ducks

2 of 3

VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 25: Nikolay Goldobin #77 of the Vancouver Canucks is congratulated by teammates Elias Pettersson #40, Derrick Pouliot #5, and Brock Boeser #6 after scoring during their NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Arena February 25, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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.

Home/Editorials