The Canuck Way
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Canucks: 3 takeaways from a 3-1 letdown to the Leafs

By Nathan Ma

TORONTO,ON - FEBRUARY 8: Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on February 8, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 3-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO,ON - FEBRUARY 8: Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on February 8, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 3-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Justin Bailey and Adam Gaudette lead the new-look third line

With Canuck sparkplug Tyler Motte placed on IR today, the team needed some new blood to carry the bottom-six and got a big response from a newly formed line of Justin Bailey, Brandon Sutter and Adam Gaudette. Gaudette was noticeably useful, zipping around the Leafs offensive zone with confidence, and got pucks to the net often to lead the team with 5 SOG in just 11:04 of ice time. It was the type of effort that should improve his footing within the Canucks lineup or at the very least his trade value. Not far behind was Justin Bailey, who played with physicality and pace all game. Matching up several times with the Leafs top six, the line posted some mind-boggling possession numbers through two periods:

With coach Travis Green working the line blender early and often throughout the Canucks’ five-game losing streak, he would be best served to let this unit be as they were the most effective with the time given tonight.

Pettersson and the PP get back on track

One saving grace from a dismal road-trip is the steady production of centre Elias Pettersson. Now riding a four-game point streak, Pettersson scored the Canucks lone goal with a wrister from the right circle after a tremendous feed through three Leafs defenders from Hughes. The power play was the great equalizer for this team many nights last year, and after a terrible start and several posts, have scored with the man advantage four games in a row now.

Next. Canucks: Should they re-sign Tanner Pearson?. dark

While there was a lot to like about the Canucks’ effort on Monday, moral victories are not enough for a team trying to keep pace in a stacked North Division. Any effort less than tonight against a Flames team with five games in hands, and moral victories will be all that’s left for this team to play for.

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