Canucks: 3 takeaways from 5-1 loss against the Ducks
The Vancouver Canucks welcomed the Anaheim Ducks to Rogers Arena trying to finish Sedin Week undefeated while widening the gap on top of the Pacific.
The third and final game of Sedin Week would be a clash between the Vancouver Canucks and the Anaheim Ducks. Legacy Night would turn out to be an afternoon tilt and the final wave goodbye to the legendary careers of Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Or is it possibly a see you soon? I know any Canucks fan would love to see the twins continue off ice careers with the organization in some way or another. Maybe one day.
The twins were on the ice one final time before puck drop. Joined together with several kids they’ve helped along the way. It was a really nice way to close the book on their NHL careers. These two brothers were incredible people off the ice and what they did for people in need was even greater than all the records and accomplishments of their successful careers as members of the Canucks. You could see on the smiles of all the faces just how much they still mean to the city.
Vancouver would look to keep the momentum going on the final leg of Sedin Week. The Anaheim Ducks, on the other hand, were hoping to bounce back after an embarrassing 6-0 loss to the Calgary Flames. Thatcher Demko getting the green light from Travis Green. With the Ducks being a bottom feeder club, Demko was expected to find the win, but Ryan Getzlaf was thinking otherwise.
Power play Petey
Elias Pettersson was one of Vancouver’s brightest players in Sunday’s afternoon battle. He was relentless on the puck from start to finish and he was able to convert on the power play off an absolute rocket from his usual spot. As always, a slapshot laser off a crisp clean pass from Quinn Hughes, just like they draw it up in practice. Being down 3-0 at the time, sometimes you just have to go back to basics. It worked for Pettersson as he tallied his 24th goal of the 2019-20 campaign.
One down, three to go. #Canucks trail 3-1 after 40. pic.twitter.com/FzRBs2wdgT
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 16, 2020
If Vancouver is to remain a top team in the Pacific Division, they need the power play to be working at full force. Pettersson is the go-to guy who needs to be sharp and finding ways to score when the team needs it most. He did that today and he needs to continue doing it down the stretch. His puck luck and capability of finding the back of the net is vital for Vancouver. That can’t be understated. He needs to be at the top level and score 30+ goals before April.
For the fifth time in a handful of games, Vancouver showed signs of retaliation when it comes to harming their star player, EP40. In the second period of action, a fairly clean hit was laid out on the Canucks top player and Tyler Myers was quick to show a mean side he usually keeps at bay. He mauled the attacker, Max Jones and took him down to the ice in a massive storm of angry hockey players roughing behind the net.
Ever since Boston Bruins forward, Matt Grzelcyk got away with his late hit on Petey, Vancouver players have been quick to answer the bell when anyone comes near the shifty Swede. J.T. Miller, Jake Virtanen, Adam Gaudette and Tanner Pearson have all dropped the gloves and spent five minutes in the sin bin for their actions. It’s an excellent change of pace for the Canucks. It took too long to happen, but let’s celebrate the effort finally being made to stick up for one another.
It didn’t motivate the team to build a massive come back, it didn’t get themm two points, but it showed that this team will not tolerate being pushed around. Vancouver, without the toughness of Micheal Ferland, might need to make adjustments before the playoffs. But for now, the guys are coming together as a team and sharing the impact of rough and tumble hockey.
Demko sluggish after a long break between starts
He needed to get a starter sooner than later, seriously. Demko got his first start in goal since playing the Carolina Hurricanes on February 2nd, 2020 and it wasn’t pretty. He let in five goals against a team that is really struggling to find offence. Simply not good enough if he wants to be trusted to protect the crease over Jacob Markstrom.
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Can you expect much more from a rookie goaltender when he hasn’t played in over two weeks? Is this more on the goaltender himself? Or does this shed any blame onto the coaching staff mismanaging minutes between netminders? Markstrom has been spectacular and worthy of all the starts he’s had, but the cost is too heavy if the back-up goalie comes in cold against a division rival.
When the playoffs come around, the Canucks can lean on one goalie, but in order to make it to the postseason, the Canucks need to rely on both goalies to get there. It wasn’t his best game, not by a long shot, but the loss was more of an all-around lack of effort. Demko shouldn’t wait long to get his next start. He’ll be sharp and hungry to find a win. It just wasn’t going to happen against the Ducks.
Final thoughts
Next. Micheal Ferland: What his injury means for the Canucks. dark
The Canucks fall out of the top spot in the Pacific Division. They didn’t have the gas left in the tank to remain in first, it showed against the Ducks and Vancouver will need to rebound on Wednesday. The Canucks battle the Minnesota Wild at 730 PM. Hopefully, Brock Boeser can return and help the team find a win. His absence doesn’t go unnoticed.