Adam Gaudette playing well
Adam Gaudette has been sneaky good as of late. Ever since having Antoine Roussel put on his line, the young center has seemingly learned a thing or two from his Francophone winger.
He’s been hungrier on the puck. He’s been relentless on the forecheck, and he’s been setting up his teammates after stripping the puck from his opponent. These are all evident in Roussel’s game on a nightly basis, but they’ve been extremely noticeable from Gaudette as of late.
Watch how Gaudette creates time and space for himself while entering the offensive zone. Gaudette knows he is alone, so he protects the puck and tries to shake off the defender.
https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1206081130266423296
There’s obviously an element of luck to this play, but Gaudette’s ability to gain the zone and draw two Sharks’ toward him before getting the puck to the high slot, is the whole reason Jake Virtanen was able to get this scoring chance that led to his eighth goal of the season.
Gaudette’s two-way game has also been noticeable. Gaudette broke up numerous scoring chances in his own end, and that’s something he’ll need to bring on a nightly basis if he wants to remain in the Canucks’ third line center role.
Gaudette and the Canucks will take on the Vegas Golden Knights tonight before heading back to Rogers Arena to do battle with the Montreal Canadiens. Tomorrow’s puck drop is at 7 PM from T-Mobile Arena.