Vancouver Canucks: 3 takeaways from loss to Calgary Flames

Lots of rough stuff

As multiple people who were at the game said on Twitter, last night’s game had a playoff feel to it — even before the puck had dropped.

It makes sense, cause if the Canucks were to squeak into the playoffs, the Flames and the Canucks would match up in the first round. While it would be extremely difficult for the Canucks to put up much of a fight against a very solid Flames team, it would surely be an entertaining series.

Last night’s game saw its fair share of hits, slashes, and all around, was a scrappy game. It was going on right from puck drop but was escalated in the second period after Johnny Gaudreau was forced to go to the dressing room after a collision with Bo Horvat.

Gaudreau went down on all fours and was clutching his face before getting off the ice and heading straight for the Flames tunnel. Garnet Hathaway tried to challenge Horvat to fight after the fact, but the thing is, Horvat delivered a clean hit to Gaudreau, and it was Gaudreau’s own stick that him in the face.

Gaudreau returned in the same period and I don’t think he even missed a shift. The rough stuff continued throughout the rest of the game, and both goaltenders even got involved in it.

Jacob Markstrom came out of his crease to play the puck, and bumped into Matthew Tkachuk. That wasn’t where the rough stuff ended though. As Tkachuk skated back into the play, Markstrom gave him a hearty chop to the arm and Tkachuk immediately headed down the Flames tunnel. Here’s a look at the play for those who haven’t seen it.

Mike Smith was on the receiving end of some rough stuff, however, as Alex Edler attempted to intercept a clearing attempt from Smith, but in the process knocked him to the ice. Smith’s helmet popped off and Edler received a penalty that essentially sealed the deal on any chance at a comeback for the Canucks. I’m fairly certain that Smith embellished that one a little though.

It was a physically demanding game for the Canucks who have another game tonight. But man, would it be fun to watch these two teams go at it in the first round of the playoffs? I think so.