Canucks Recap: Three stars of the week (Feb 20th – 26th)

2. Elias Pettersson

There’s no need to worry about Elias Pettersson anymore.

After struggling mightily at the beginning of the season, Pettersson has bounced back in a big way. Over the past four games, the 22-year-old has registered three goals and one assist, including his fourth multi-point performance of the season on Tuesday night. In total, he has put up 18 points in 24 points, including five on the powerplay, and he became one of the fastest Canuck players to record 150 points with the franchise after Tuesday night’s loss to the Oilers.

Pettersson has regained his swagger and confidence with the puck, and he is unloading his lethal slapshot much more often. During the month of February, he put up a total of 32 shots and is currently tied with Brock Boeser for most shots registered this season with 60.

His slapshot continues to be his most dangerous weapon on the ice, and it’s one of the few shots in the league that can instantly instill a crippling sense of fear into the opposing netminder. Just ask Connor Hellebuyck.

Not a fan of the clapper? He can also score pretty goals in tight. Once again, just ask Hellebuyck.

Pettersson has also started to find consistent chemistry with his Lotto linemates. The trio combined for 31 points over their past 13 games, with the franchise centre contributing 11 to the cause. Pettersson’s overall puck control and zone entry have taken leaps since January, and he is still one of the most dynamic, skillful players on the roster.

Of course, fans would like to see Pettersson and the rest of the first line improve upon their collective minus 11 rating, and this will start when the top guns can consistently come up clutch when their team needs them to shine.

Fortunately, they are trending in the right direction, despite what the team’s overall record indicates, and it’s expected that Pettersson will continue to lead the way offensively for the rest of the shortened campaign.