Canucks: 3 takeaways from 4-1 win over Sharks
With a win on Saturday night versus the Sharks, heading into the All-Star break the Vancouver Canucks leapfrogged four other teams to claim sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division.
The Vancouver Canucks entered Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday looking to take a bite out of the San Jose Sharks and grab ahold of first place in the Pacific Division. After all, it’s the orca whale, not the great white shark that serves as the ocean’s top predator. Would the killer whale reign victorious on the ice?
It was a division match-up that would be Vancouver’s last contest before a 9-day break for All-Star weekend. Led by team captain Bo Horvat, the orca pod hit the ice at Rogers Arena with full intentions of putting forward a great team effort and ultimately find a way to win.
The Canucks fought hard right out the gate and never budged all the way to the final buzzer. They fended off San Jose and downed the Sharks with a final score of 4-1. Some big contributions were coming from all directions and it helped Vancouver secure the win. Here’s what he learned in Vancouver’s 49th game of the year.
Canucks take first place in Pacific Division
The National Hockey League has the Canucks off the books for the next nine days as the NHL prepares for the 2020 All-Star Game in St. Louis, Missouri. With a clutch win of 4-1 over the Sharks on Saturday, Vancouver is holding the top spot in the Pacific Division, looking very much like a playoff contender.
Being on top of the mountain is a great look. Vancouver did everything required of them versus the Sharks in order to climb to the peak of the Pacific. Head coach, Travis Green had his boys dialled in all night long. They managed to keep the Sharks to just seven shots through the first two periods of play.
All said and done, the Sharks were kept under 20 shots. They finished the contest with 18, but it made for an easy night for the back-up goaltender, Thatcher Demko. He let in a garbage goal rebound that the Canucks’ defence just couldn’t track and get out of the zone. Other than that, the 23-year-old stayed sharp and earned a valuable two points.
Canucks peppered Aaron Dell all night long. Vancouver didn’t reach 40 but they finished the game having fired on San Jose 39 times. They more than doubled the shot total of their opponents with much help from all around. Three different Canucks, including Tyler Myers, had at least four shots on net.
Finding the back of the net was a relentless mission for the Canucks and it paid off in a very big way. For at least the next week, Vancouver holds sole possession of the Pacific Division lead. Take a look at the standings below!
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Secondary scoring earns the win for Canucks
The secondary scoring as of late for the Canucks has been everything they need them to be. In a very important divisional match-up in the Pacific, the Canucks found a way to get the job done with an all-around hard work ethic from up and down the line-up. It was the secondary scorers who stepped up and elevated the Canucks all the way to the top.
Jake Virtanen: The kid has really put the pedal to the floor this season. He has fought tooth and nail up the depth chart all season long. Here we are nearing 50 games and Virtanen is on top-line duties. Another solid performance for the breakout, New Westminster native. His two assists in the game earned him his 27th and 28th point of the season. He sits sixth in scoring amongst forwards and is playing his best hockey. His confidence against the Sharks was top-six material, it shows on the scoresheet and his primary assist on the J.T. Miller goal was proof he’s blossomed.
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Tanner Pearson: He led the team in points and shots against the Sharks. Four shots were fired on net, one puck managed to sneak in off a net-front tip. Pearson got his stick to deflect the rubber to bulge twine on the power play. He also added an assist on the game-opening goal.
Adam Gaudette: The puck hound from Taunton, Massachusetts just doesn’t quit. He is learning how to track pucks with linemate, Antoine Roussel. It’s adding fuel to his game. Deadlocked at a one-one tie in the third, it was two secondary assists from Gaudette that led to the Canucks breaking away from the pack and winning the game.
Canucks All-Stars add to point totals
Jacob Markstrom, the Canucks All-Star goaltender got to ride pine on Saturday night, attempting to rest him before he minds the goal crease down the stretch, post-2020 All-Star game. The same couldn’t be said for second-time All-Star, Elias Pettersson or rookie All-Star, Quinn Hughes. Unlike Markstrom, these players didn’t get a rest day. The division is too tight and Vancouver needs to squeeze everything they can get out of their top forward and best d-man.
On Saturday, they were simply that. Pettersson’s secondary assist didn’t come until late in the third period, but the Swedish sensation still managed to play a very good game. He was held without a shot on goal, but there was a good effort for a full 60 and his passing was superb.
Hughes, playing on the back end was able to resecure the third period, two-goal lead just 38 seconds after the Sharks crawled within a goal. The goal came from a fluttering wrist-shot and a perfect screen. Still, it was something an All-Star player does when the team needs it most. He finished the game a plus one, registered one hit and three shots on goal. He looks ready to dominate the All-Star weekend.
Final thoughts…
Next. Canucks: Analyzing the 20-goal candidates. dark
The Canucks got the job done and secured top spot in the Pacific Division for the time being. Most players head off for a quick vacation, but for Markstrom, Pettersson and Hughes, it’s time for the stars to align at the 2020 All-Star Game. Vancouver takes on the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Arena on Jan. 27. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.