Canucks: 3 takeaways from another disappointing 5-2 loss to the Flames

For the second time in three nights, the Vancouver Canucks couldn’t take the heat from the Calgary Flames.

Corny puns aside, this game was especially disheartening considering the team played their best period of the entire season in the opening frame. Unfortunately, Vancouver collapsed from that point on and as they’ve now dropped three games in a row after opening the year with a commanding 5-3 victory over Edmonton.

With this being a shortened season, the Canucks will need to make a quick turnaround if they hope to finish high in the division, as every game will be of extra importance from now on.

Here are three takeaways from last night’s 5-2 loss to the Flames.

Lotto Line struggles

After missing the first three matches of the season due to COVID-19 protocols, J.T. Miller made his highly anticipated return to the ice last night. He was instantly slotted beside Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson to reform the Lotto Line, but they struggled for much of the game.

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In just over 10 minutes of five on five time, the trio was outshot 8-1 and controlled shot attempts only 28.57% of the time, according to Natural Stat Trick. Moreover, they had an expected goals percentage of 22.80% and couldn’t generate anything offensively.

The good news is that Miller himself didn’t look out of place, and hopefully they’ll be able to regain their chemistry after practicing some more before the next game. The power play also looked a lot more fluid with him back on the first unit, even though they still haven’t converted on the man advantage yet.

I’m not worried about the top line; they’re too good to not start dominating soon.

Undisciplined play

Four games into the season, much has been made about the team’s struggling special teams. And rightfully so, as Vancouver is yet to score on the power play and has allowed seven goals against while shorthanded, which is currently second-most in the league.

However, another big issue is the fact that the Canucks are first in time spent on the penalty kill, as they’ve been down a man for a whopping 34:08 when the season isn’t even a week old yet. For comparison, that’s three minutes more than the second-place team and almost nine minutes more than the third.

Of course, not every team has played in four games yet, but it’s still a bad sign considering Vancouver’s penalty kill is sitting at an abysmal 66.7% right now.

The biggest irony is that the Canucks have spent so much time shorthanded that they’ve actually scored more while down a skater than they have on the power play.

Vancouver needs to be more disciplined, especially as they work through their struggles on special teams.

Goaltending is not the issue

The Canucks have now let in three or more goals in each of the first four games of the season, but none of the blame should be put on Braden Holtby or Thatcher Demko.

No, neither of them have been world-beaters, but they’re performing up to standard and giving their team a chance to win each and every game.

Demko did have two blunders last night that could’ve easily ended up in the back of the net, but he recovered well to prevent both scoring chances. He would probably like the first Johnny Gaudreau goal back, as he should’ve been tighter to the post. But other than that, Demko played a solid game and none of the other goals can be squarely put on him, as the defence often left opposing Flames attackers wide open for dangerous shots on net.

Every player will need to be better in order for the Canucks to regain their footing, but the team’s current struggles definitely shouldn’t be placed on the shoulders of either netminder.

Other notes

• Adam Gaudette had an eventful game, especially in the first period. He had three great scoring chances but Jacob Markstrom stopped them all. Markstrom has been commended for his performance, and rightfully so, but Gaudette should also be credited for putting himself in the right places to score.
• Jake Virtanen scored his first of the season in the opening period, and he looked particularly dangerous on the second power play unit. He faltered a bit as the game went on but so did the entire team, so he shouldn’t be singled out in any way. It’s nice to see him get on the board and I hope he and Gaudette can provide some timely secondary scoring this season.
• Pettersson took two penalties in the game and was visibly upset with himself. He has largely struggled to begin the season but I have no doubt he’ll be fine. This will only motivate him even more and I expect him to score at higher than a point per game pace for the rest of the year.

Final thoughts

It certainly hasn’t been the prettiest start to the season, but we’re still only four games in. This is still a young team that’s trying to find its identity, so fans need to be patient and supportive while they march through this rough patch.

The Canucks will face Montreal next on Wednesday night at 7 P.M.