Canucks: 2 takeaways from 4-0 loss to Jets
Plummeting power play
In order for an NHL franchise to climb to the top of their respected division, they must carry a lethal power play unit. Coming into the contest, Vancouver had just that, holding the fifth-best power play percentage league-wide at 24.1 percent. With first place in the Pacific in sight, Vancouver needed to pull the trigger on the man advantage.
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The power play was full of ammunition, and the Canucks were relentless on the trigger, but they kept shooting blanks. Four different opportunities arose throughout the tilt, but Elias Pettersson company were denied on each and every one of them.
It didn’t matter what the first unit did, it just wasn’t happening. Vancouver was simply on the wrong side of puck luck. Goalposts were rung, yawning cages were terribly missed and the team’s best players were unable to solve Connor Hellebuyck.
Head coach Travis Green turned to “Shot Gun” Jake Virtanen and the second unit for help. That didn’t work either. Hellebuyck was solid and stopped all 41 shots in the victory.
The once deadly power play is sliding fast as the Canucks have only one man advantage tally in their last 24 attempts.
If Vancouver wishes to keep tight to the division-leading Arizona Coyotes, the power play must find its footing. If they can’t get it done soon, Green should shake things up and promote Adam Gaudette to the first unit.