Strong game for Myers, Hughes, Gaudette, and Horvat line
Tyler Myers isn’t known to be a physical player, but he was active and throwing his weight around last night. He had a moment where he emphatically shoved Mark Giordano down after receiving a cross-check to the back from the Flames’ captain, as both players skated off for a line change.
Tyler Myers and Mark Giordano getting into it late in the 2nd period. #Canucks #Flames pic.twitter.com/BUi8GhDIxB
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) October 6, 2019
He also showed that it’s really, really hard to clear a puck over a person who is 6’8. He stopped two Flames’ clearing attempts by jumping 20 feet in the air to glove the puck down. Okay, maybe it wasn’t 20 feet, but you get the point — Myers is really, really, tall.
Despite making a turnover that cost the Canucks a goal, Myers had a strong game, registering six total shots on goal when all was said and done. Additionally, Quinn Hughes had another strong game. He was pushing the offence and was moving the puck extremely well, as we’ve quickly become accustomed to seeing from the 19-year-old defenceman.
One question that remains is how long it will be before Hughes is given a shot at quarterbacking the Canucks’ first power play unit? The power play has failed to convert on its first ten chances of the season, so a change may be in order.
As mentioned, Adam Gaudette had a strong game, and appeared to elevate the play of Jake Virtanen. Up until the third period, Virtanen almost looked lost on the ice, but later in the game, was skating hard and playing the way the Canucks so badly want to see him play consistently.
Hopefully, it’s the beginning of some chemistry between Gaudette and Virtanen, who have played together on a line in the past. Speaking of chemistry on a line, Bo Horvat, Tanner Pearson, and J.T. Miller have been one of the Canucks’ more consistent lines through two games.
Pearson had 11 shots against Edmonton, and the line as a whole has just looked good out there so far. The next time we’ll see them play together, Horvat will likely be wearing a C on his jersey. The Canucks will unveil a captain at their home opener on Wednesday when they host the L.A. Kings. Puck drop is at 7 PM(ish).