The Canuck Way
Fansided

3 remaining questions ahead of the Vancouver Canucks’ home opener

By Bailey Broadbent

CALGARY, AB - OCTOBER 05: Vancouver Canucks Center Bo Horvat (53), Right Wing Brock Boeser (6) and Center Elias Pettersson (40) talk between whistles during the third period of an NHL game where the Calgary Flames hosted the Vancouver Canucks on October 5, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - OCTOBER 05: Vancouver Canucks Center Bo Horvat (53), Right Wing Brock Boeser (6) and Center Elias Pettersson (40) talk between whistles during the third period of an NHL game where the Calgary Flames hosted the Vancouver Canucks on October 5, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CALGARY, AB – OCTOBER 05: Vancouver Canucks Center Bo Horvat (53) and Right Wing Brock Boeser (6) talk between whistles during the third period of an NHL game where the Calgary Flames hosted the Vancouver Canucks on October 5, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB – OCTOBER 05: Vancouver Canucks Center Bo Horvat (53) and Right Wing Brock Boeser (6) talk between whistles during the third period of an NHL game where the Calgary Flames hosted the Vancouver Canucks on October 5, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. When will the top line click?

It’s no secret the Canucks need a healthy Boeser and Pettersson in order to succeed and make a push for the playoffs this year. But when healthy, they also need Boeser and Pettersson to produce offensively.

Just a few games into the season, and the two have yet to get on any sort of roll with Pettersson being held pointless and Boeser limited to a single assist. While the small sample size may deter you from any sort of worry, what is certainly concerning is Pettersson’s increasing cold streak.

The Swede has recorded a measly three goals over his last 25 games dating back to last season, with his last even-strength goal coming 30 games ago on February 5 against the Washington Capitals. Something has got to give.

Likely looking to spark some offence, the Canucks swapped Ferland with Miller in the top six during Sunday morning’s skate:

The move may work out for both lines, as Ferland is coming off a pair of rough outings in Alberta. It will be interesting to see when the Canucks top six clicks, because as it stands, Tanner Pearson is the only top six forward who has picked up a goal.

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