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Vancouver Canucks: 3 takeaways from shootout win over Dallas Stars

By David Quadrelli

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 17: Josh Leivo #17 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates a shoot-out goal against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 17: Josh Leivo #17 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates a shoot-out goal against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 17: Anton Khudobin #35 of the Dallas Stars poke checks away a penalty shot from Elias Pettersson #40 of the Vancouver Canucks at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 17: Anton Khudobin #35 of the Dallas Stars poke checks away a penalty shot from Elias Pettersson #40 of the Vancouver Canucks at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Pettersson on the brink of making history

The aforementioned second goal from Schaller that gave the Canucks a two-goal lead also gave Pettersson his 60th point of the season — meaning he tied Pavel Bure and Ivan Hlinka‘s Canucks’ record for most points in a rookie season.

Bure did it in 65 games, while Hlinka did it in 72. That means Pettersson reached the feat the fastest, with last night being just game number 61 of his young career.

Pettersson had a chance to break the record when he was awarded a penalty shot in the second period. Here’s where the controversy comes. Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin appears to throw his stick toward Pettersson as he’s coming in on the penalty shot. Pettersson loses the puck as a result and was unable to even get a shot off. You be the judge, does this look like a throw?

To me, that’s a throw, and according to Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre, it was a throw. Via Twitter, MacIntyre brought up a good point: “Another reason why NHL officiating/reviews still lack credibility. Goalie launches his stick into Pettersson on the penalty shot. Four officials on the ice don’t see it. And no review. That’s embarrassing.”

So if Khudobin did throw his stick, what is the proper call? Section 24.4 of the NHL rule book states that “The goalkeeper may attempt to stop the shot in any manner except by throwing his stick or any object, or by deliberately dislodging the goal, in which case a goal shall be awarded.”

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So because of the missed call, Pettersson will have to wait for at least one more game before his name stands alone in the history books under Canucks’ rookie records. He will get his chance when the Canucks get right back at it tonight when they take on the Chicago Blackhawks from the United Center. Puck drop is at 5:30 PM.

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