Vancouver Canucks: 3 takeaways from thrilling win over Los Angeles Kings
The Vancouver Canucks took on the 30th place Los Angeles Kings last night. In an entertaining game that saw overtime and a shootout, the Canucks won by a final score of 3-2.
The Vancouver Canucks, believe it or not, took part in one of the more entertaining games of the season last night. If you looked at the standings, you wouldn’t think that a game between two teams that are at the bottom of the standings would be that entertaining. Here are my three takeaways from last night’s thriller.
The debut of Quinn Hughes
How could I not start off with this one? Perhaps the most highly anticipated defenceman since Mattias Ohlund, Quinn Hughes made his debut last night.
It was a great start for Hughes, who showcased his elite puck-moving and skating abilities very early on in the game. On a line with Luke Schenn, Hughes showed exactly why Canucks fans have been so eager to see him in a Canucks’ uniform.
With about five minutes to go in the first, Hughes shook off a forechecking Kings’ player and carried the puck through the neutral zone, zipping right between two more players in the process.
This was just one example of many where Hughes showed his elite skating ability. It became evident for those that didn’t already know it — this kid is something special. Nearly every single time Hughes touched the puck last night, he was serenaded with cheers from the home crowd.
light. Related Story. Quinn Hughes set to make NHL debut
The same couldn’t be said for Tim Schaller, who got booed in the first period after failing to get a shot on Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick when the Canucks had a two-on-one shorthanded. But that’s another story.
Hughes recorded his first point last night on an assist on Brock Boeser‘s 26th goal of the season, and had a great performance in overtime, but more on that later. The Canuck Way’s Jarred Chan will have an in-depth look at Hughes’ debut later today.
Although he’ll only play in four games at the most this season, fans got even more of a glimpse into the Canucks’ bright future after Hughes’ outstanding first game.
Stecher, Hutton, and Schenn
The three defencemen above are players who had me interested after last night’s game. Prior to his injury, Ben Hutton was logging career-high minutes and was being deployed in all sorts of situations. For the most part, Hutton was always up to the task.
His partner before he got injured was Troy Stecher. The Richmond product has had a solid year, and will likely be a strong candidate to win the Canucks’ Unsung Hero team award this year.
Stecher and Hutton ate up huge minutes together while Alex Edler was down with an injury. They showed great chemistry with one another, and it was tough for Hutton to have to go down while both he and Stecher were finding their groove together.
Last night, in Hutton’s return to the lineup, the two were reunited again. It got me thinking about how when this team is ready to be competitive again, I mean really competitive, Stecher and Hutton could make an excellent third pairing for the team.
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Speaking of third pairings, Luke Schenn has done an outstanding job of making the most of his opportunity with the Canucks this season. Acquired a couple of months ago from the Anaheim Ducks, nobody expected Schenn to have any kind of impact on the Canucks.
Schenn reported to the Utica Comets as soon as he was acquired, and most people thought he’d spend the rest of the year there before becoming a free agent. Then an injury to Chris Tanev and Erik Gudbranson being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins gave Schenn an opportunity to step into the lineup.
Schenn has made good on that opportunity and has become a fan favourite amongst Canucks fans — especially with his performances as of late. He has stuck up for Pettersson when teams were taking liberties on him, and did the same for Hughes last night.
He also broke the Canucks’ franchise record for hits in a single game the other night. Schenn is playing exactly like someone who is fighting to stay in the NHL, and in my opinion, the Canucks should definitely re-sign him in the offseason.
Look at that future, Canucks fans
The teams don’t have much to play for in terms of their playoff hopes, but both teams have players who are trying to make good impressions ahead of next season. It’s interesting, actually, because, in my opinion, the Canucks are on the verge of being competitive, and are much younger than the Kings.
The Canucks stars just need a little help, and that help can be found this offseason if the team wants to find it. The Kings came into this year expecting to compete, and even inked Ilya Kovalchuk to a three year deal with an annual average salary of $6.25 million. They haven’t competed this year, and have been out of the playoff race since about November.
The Kings will look to compete next year, and may get one of Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko to help the cause depending on the results of the draft lottery on April 9th. The Canucks are in a similar position. After being in the playoff race for most of this year, the team will look to compete next year and will likely get a top ten pick at this year’s draft as well.
Aside from that, however, the Canucks have the main building blocks already in place. Now it’s time to fill in the gaps. Hughes, Boeser, and Elias Pettersson worked together last night to get Rogers Arena almost the loudest it’s been all season. To top it all off, Thatcher Demko backstopped the team to the exciting shootout victory. That’s our future right there, Canucks fans.
They can bring that same intensity and excitement next year, but they need a supporting cast. They can’t be at the top of their game each and every night — slumps happen. But take a look at last night’s thrilling game and enjoy it, because there’s going to be many more in the coming years.
Did you think I was finished talking about Hughes? You thought wrong. That kid is simply amazing and the confidence he showed with the puck on his stick was remarkable. Here’s a better look at Hughes’ part in the Boeser goal.
OT? OT! Vancouver earns a point, searches for another in overtime.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 29, 2019
Who scores the #Canucks golden goal?! pic.twitter.com/CvqIb2TJxd
The skating ability, poise, and all around hockey IQ Hughes displayed on this play is nothing short of remarkable to see from a rookie defenceman. I wrote an article roughly a month ago about how a learning curve was imminent upon Hughes’ arrival to the NHL and that fans may need to temper their expectations. I am definitely more than willing to eat my words on that one if needed.
Next. 2018-19 season team awards choices. dark
These kids can play, and last night was yet another look at the brighter days that are just around the corner for this organization. The Canucks will face the Dallas Stars this Saturday from Rogers Arena. Puck drop is at 7 PM.