Canucks: 3 takeaways from massive 3-0 win over Minnesota Wild
The lotto line continues to produce
It was another terrific game for the Canucks best three forwards and especially, Brock Boeser. The Minnesota native picked up right where he left off after game 2, scoring the opening goal of the game at 6:51 of the second period.
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It was a similar goal to not only his first NHL goal but his first NHL playoff goal as well. Fighting hard for positioning in front, Boeser was able to turn around on a juicy rebound and backhand it overtop of a sprawling Wild goaltender. The exact boost Vancouver needed to get going.
J.T. Miller, on the other hand, was good but in a different way than usual. Instead of the Canucks’ leading-scorer scoring goals today, he earned his money by playing physical and standing up for Elias Pettersson when things got dirty.
Pettersson was hurdled over in the corner digging for the puck when Ryan Hartman decided to bulldoze him from behind. Pettersson’s head hit the boards hard and Miller responded immediately. They dropped the mitts and scrapped it out until the referees broke it up. Not exactly a fair trade in the box, but it’s exactly what you like to see when your star players get taken out.
Pettersson put a bow on the lotto line’s perfect game with a power play one-timer that made Stalock look silly. Off the rush, Quinn Hughes sent the puck across the ice and found Pettersson ready and waiting. Another great game by the lotto line!