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Canucks: We’re about to see what this team is made of

By Alex Hoegler

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 02: Elias Pettersson #40 of the Vancouver Canucks battles with Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild as Alex Stalock #32 of the Minnesota Wild defends the net in Game One of the Western Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 02, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - AUGUST 02: Elias Pettersson #40 of the Vancouver Canucks battles with Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild as Alex Stalock #32 of the Minnesota Wild defends the net in Game One of the Western Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on August 02, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /
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The Vancouver Canucks’will be tested as they try to rebound from Sunday’s ugly 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Nothing went right for the Vancouver Canucks in Sunday’s 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

And if that doesn’t change quickly, their promising 2019-20 campaign will conclude at some point this week. For the first time in their professional careers, the likes of Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes and Jacob Markstrom have their backs up against the wall.

Bo Horvat was on the 2014-15 Vancouver team that was physically outmatched and overwhelmed by the Calgary Flames in the opening round of the playoffs. Alexander Edler and Chris Tanev have experienced more than enough postseason heartbreak.

On the bright side, Tyler Toffoli, Jay Beagle and Tanner Pearson all know what it takes to climb the top of the mountain, having each won a Stanley Cup championship ring.

So, how will a team loaded with young talent and experienced playoff veterans rebound following a lackluster outing? We’re about to find out.

The Wild aren’t anywhere close to Vancouver’s overall talent, speed and skill level. But in the postseason, experience can make quite a difference. The likes of Zach Parise, Eric Staal, Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon looked anything but rusty in Sunday’s game.

Now, it’s up to head coach Travis Green to make the necessary adjustments and have his players ready for Game 2. How will the young players respond to the pressure as they try to avoid a dangerous 0-2 series deficit?

Will the bottom-six show up after getting easily dominated by Minnesota’s physical and gritty forwards? Can Markstrom refocus after allowing a sloppy first goal that held up as the game winner?

Next. Canucks: 3 positives and 3 negatives from Game 1. dark

Some let pressure destroy them, others embrace it. One way or another, we’ll see what this Vancouver team is made of when the puck drops on Tuesday night.

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