Canucks: The best moments of the 2019-20 season
Let’s take a look back at the Vancouver Canucks’ 2019-20 season that was full of so many unforgettable moments.
It was a roller-coaster ride for the Vancouver Canucks in their 50th season, to say the least.
The 2019-20 NHL season was put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic back in March. After what seemed like an eternity, hockey finally returned in August.
The Canucks ended a five-year playoff drought after defeating the Minnesota Wild in the qualifying round. They dethroned the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in round one before bowing out to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 7 of the second round.
Overall, it was a wonderful and thrilling ride. Rookieblueliner Quinn Hughes came in to the league and asserted himself as a superstar and franchise building block.
Elias Pettersson was immune to the sophomore slump, and he’s quickly developing into one of the NHL’s elite centres. Bo Horvat looks like a worthy team captain. 2019 offseason acquisition J.T. Miller provided critics wrong of the the trade by leading the team with 72 points.
Jacob Markstrom continued to show that he’s one of the NHL’s elite goalies. Thatcher Demko displayed the ability to be a regular starting goalie. (Credit to goalie coach Ian Clark here.)
With that all said, let’s take a look back at some of the best moments from 2019-20.
A home opener to remember
The home opener took place on Oct. 9, and it was filled with pregame festivities to celebrate the team’s 50th anniversary. Notable Canucks alumni were there for the celebration including Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Todd Bertuzzi, Stan Smyl and Orland Kurtenbach.
Both Henrik and Kurtenbach presented Horvat as the 14th captain in franchise history,
Of course, the game itself was even better, as the Canucks cruised to an easy 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
Hughes scored his first career NHL goal on the power play in the opening frame. Fellow defencemen Chris Tanev and Alex Edler, also found the back of the net. Miller got his first as a Canuck and Brandon Sutter even chipped in with two goals of his own.
It is without a doubt that Quinn Hughes’ first goal of his NHL career was our @REMAXWesternCan Move of the Week. pic.twitter.com/PcWGhWiSOv
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 13, 2019
It was a very exciting game to watch, as the skill from the young core was on full display.
That game feels like it happened so long ago. I almost forgot Tyler Toffoli was still with the Kings. He even scored that night.
You couldn’t have asked for a better home opener. What a way to celebrate 50 years as a franchise.
Seven-game winning streak
One of the highest points of the regular season was a seven-game win streak through the holiday season. It began with a 5-4 overtime win at home over the Vegas Golden Knights. Tanev recorded the overtime winner, and Pettersson scored two goals. This game is also remembered as the last time Josh Leivo suited up for the Canucks in 2019-20, as he was hit into the boards by Nick Holden and was sidelined for the season with a fractured kneecap.
Home wins against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers and Kings followed. A 5-2 win against the Calgary Flames marked a superb ending to the 2019 calendar year.
Vancouver started off 2020 with a thrilling 7-5 home win over the Chicago Blackhawks, and they followed it up with a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers. Markstrom was instrumental in keeping the streak in tact; he made six starts during the stretch.
Unfortunately, the streak ended in rough fashion: A 9-2 road loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, who extended their own winning streak to eight games. Vancouver wasn’t perfect during the streak by any means, but it was a fun to see them win seven in a row for the first time since the 2013-14 season. (Yes, the John Tortorella year.)
Sedins’ retirement night
On Feb. 12, the Sedins were both immortalized in franchise lore. Daniel’s No. 22 and Henrik’s No. 33 were both raised to the rafters, never to be worn by a Canuck again. It was a celebration to their contributions on and off the ice.
Not sure if there was a dry eye in the house, either. At least, there wasn’t for me.
Members of the 2011 team that went to the Stanley Cup Final returned, including Mason Raymond, Alex Burrows, Roberto Luongo, Kevin Bieska and Ryan Kesler. Franchise legends and former captains Markus Naslund, Trevor Linden and the aforementioned Stan Smyl were also in attendance.
Brian Burke, the man who made the deals to draft both Sedin twins in 1999, was also there with fellow former Vancouver GMs Dave Nonis and Mike Gillis.
Bieksa was the emcee for the ceremony, cracking many jokes during his speech.
Both Daniel and Henrik gave their speeches, thanking the many current and former members of the organization, further showing us why they are beloved in Vancouver.
Finally, the numbers were raised.
https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1227788404127141888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1227788404127141888%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdailyhive.com%2Fvancouver%2Fcanucks-sedins-jersey-retirement-ceremony
The Canucks didn’t play particularly well during the game against the Blackhawks. They managed only 20 shots on goal while the Blackhawks got 49. Despite being outplayed, Vancouver won 3-0, with Markstrom tuning in perhaps his best game as a Canuck.
Scoring nine against the Bruins
Obviously, many Vancouver fans still aren’t over the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. I could go on forever, but that’s another story for another day.
The Boston Bruins came to town on Feb. 22 to finish up their western Canada road trip. There is always more hostility in the crowd when they visit Rogers Arena, of course. Boston won the Presidents’ Trophy as the best team in the regular season. They easily defeated Vancouver 4-0 at TD Garden on Feb. 4.
The Canucks turned up the energy and intensity, scoring nine goals against their rivals. Toffoli had two, while Pettersson, Horvat, Tanner Pearson, Adam Gaudette, Troy Stecher and even Loui Eriksson got on the score sheet. Final score? 9-3.
It’s always fun to beat the Bruins, and scoring nine on them was especially a treat to watch.
Chris Tanev sends the Canucks to the playoffs
On Aug. 4, the Canucks played the Minnesota Wild in Game 4 of their qualifying round. It was a back and forth game full of intensity and energy. As a result, overtime had to be played. A single shot would send Vancouver to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2015.
It didn’t take long. 11 seconds was all it took for Alex Burrows to give Vancouver a 2-0 series lead in Game 2 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. It also took 11 seconds for Chris Tanev to send the Canucks to the playoffs. His wrist shot from the point beat Minnesota goalie Alec Stalock, thus ending Vancouver’s playoff drought.
The goal sent the team and fans into a frenzy, and Tanev was mobbed by his teammates in the locker room.
TANNNNNNYYYYYYYY pic.twitter.com/RXLr3YLBl3
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) August 8, 2020
Tanev has been a warrior for the Canucks. He is a great mentor for the young players, and of course, he isn’t afraid to block a shot even if it means losing a tooth or two.
He has a knack for scoring overtime goals apparently. His first NHL goal was an overtime winner against the Oilers on Feb. 4, 2013. As mentioned earlier scored the overtime winner in a 5-4 win over the Golden Knights on Dec. 19.
Beating the Blues in Round 1
It wasn’t going to be easy against the St. Louis Blues. After all, they were one of the best teams in the regular season as well as the defending Stanley Cup Champions. As a result, many pundits (especially outside of this market) had the Blues winning the series.
However the Canucks proved just about everybody wrong.
They jumped out to a 2-0 series lead with a 5-2 win in Game 1, and with a 4-3 win thanks to Horvat’s overtime winner in Game 2.
This prompted the Blues to start Jake Allen over Jordan Binnington in Game 3. The Canucks were a shot away from taking a commanding 3-0 series lead, but Brayden Schenn had other ideas, scoring the overtime winner to get his team back in the series.
Vancouver struggled mightily in Game 4, losing 3-1. Momentum was clearly on the side of the Blues, and many believed the defending champions would rally to win the series.
However, the Canucks came back from a 3-1 deficit in Game 5, scoring three unanswered goals to win 4-3 –thanks to two goals from Tyler Motte. In Game 6, the Canucks chased Binnington after four goals in a 6-2 victory.
As a result, the Canucks won a playoff series and were off to round two for the first time since 2011.
OH CANADA! THE #CANUCKS ARE MOVING ON TO ROUND 2️⃣!!! pic.twitter.com/LX3Hp4WZP3
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) August 22, 2020
It wasn’t easy by any means, but the Canucks battled hard and managed to dethrone the champions.
Conclusion
The Canucks’ 50th anniversary season was a wild ride, and we now look forward to another offseason where general manager Jim Benning has big decisions to make.
Next. Canucks: Jim Benning on Jacob Markstrom, Jake Virtanen, offseason plans. dark
What were some of your favorite moments of the 2019-20 season? Let us know in the comments below. Stay safe out there.