Canucks: 3 takeaways from 4-1 loss to Maple Leafs

The Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs engaged in another memorable affair. Here are three takeaways from Vancouer’s 4-1 loss.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Vancouver Canucks, tensions are high and bragging rights are on the line. Tuesday’s game marked the only time where the Leafs play in the Rogers Arena this season, and it did not disappoint.

Both teams are very similarly built, as they are loaded with young talent that relies on speed and offence to win games. This contest was expected to be a track meet, and sure enough, both the Leafs and Canucks delivered on high-octane hockey.

Heading into the game, there was already some fireworks as Vancouverite Alexander Kerfoot‘s comments made its rounds on Twitter, via Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.

"“I was never one of those guys who just hated the Leafs. I was obviously a Canucks fan, but at the end of the day, I think a lot of Canuck hate is jealousy. At the end of the day, they get more attention and so people are upset by it."

This comment was a nice set up for the game, and it started with Vancouver throwing the bodies at the Leafs. They were afraid to hit, which shows the utility of this Canucks’ roster. Elias Pettersson and company are able to keep up in games like this.

Now, let’s get to the three takeaways.

1. Ferland exits with injury

Michael Ferland lit up Rogers Arena early in the game after a booming hit on Kerfoot. He had a strong and physical first period, and this is the kind of play that Vancouver expected when they acquired him. Unfortunately, he left halfway through the second period with an “upper-body injury”. While the cause of the injury is still uncertain, it’s unfortunate to see Ferland out after just his second game off LTIR.

He has a goal and four assists in up to this point, but Ferland has been unable to put anything together with all the injuries this season. From a team point of view, this is a chance for the Canucks to test their offensive depth and perhaps give some players on the Utica Comets the opportunities.

2. Josh Leivo gets payback

In many cases, when former Leafs face their old team, they seem to find the back of the net. Josh Leivo continued the tradition by stuffing the puck past a sprawled Frederik Andersen in the third period. With the way Andersen was turning away grade-A chances from Vancouver, the only method to get through was a garbage goal like Leivo’s. (It wasn’t a bad goal, it was shoveled in with traffic in front)

This goal marked Leivo’s fifth goal in as many games. It’s safe to say he’s found a home here, and he’s making the most of the opportunity that came from the injuries up front. Leivo has showed that he can score in all sorts of ways, from off the rush to dirty goals in front of the net.

Given how badly his story went with the Maple Leafs, it’s great to see him find a home in Vancouver and gain revenge against his former team

It was also good to see Vancouver continue to pile on Andersen and never give up on the puck. Leivo’s goal came after the Leafs’ netminder turned away two Brock Boeser breakaways in a span of five minutes. There was no quit in this team.

3. Canucks played well, but Andersen was better

Simply put, Andersen stood on his head in this game. In the first period, Vancouver completely dominated the play, but they were unable to get the puck past the Leafs’ goalie. In the third period, Vancouver turned up the offensive heat, and Andersen had an answer to everything but Leivo’s goal. He turned away three breakaways in the final frame, and had help from the crossbar on two lethal shots from Elias Pettersson.

Sometimes you get beat by a hot goaltender, and Andersen stood tall and stopped 38 of 39 shots thrown his way. Andersen has always been good against this, and it dates back to his tenure with the Anaheim Ducks. Vancouver put on a good show, especially in the third period. But sometimes, you just have to tip your hat to the opposing goalie.

Final thoughts

The Canucks had a strong overall game against a Canadian rival, but they could have played better. In the first period, they had a lot of momentum but were unable to get high-quality chances in the middle of the ice. In the second period, the Maple Leafs ran the show and it wasn’t until the Canucks were down 2-0 in the third period did they start to generate more scoring changes.

This young team needs to learn to play full 60-minute hockey games, and not turn it up when they are down in the game. Overall, Vancouver played well as they showed that they could keep up with the Leafs’ speed and skill. The Canucks host the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes — winners of their last three games — on Wednesday night.