Following Jim Benning’s bland and confusing statements made during Friday’s press conference, many Vancouver Canucks fans felt pessimistic about where the team is headed.
Thankfully, the players didn’t seem to pay that any mind, as the Canucks played arguably their best game of the season last night. Even with Elias Pettersson out of the lineup, Vancouver was able to generate scoring chances while also being responsible in their own end, and the team has now won three of their past four games.
Here are three takeaways from last night’s 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs.
Dominant power play
One of the most discussed topics so far has been Vancouver’s power play struggles. After ranking top five in percentage last year, the Canucks have taken a step back on the man advantage this season. The good news is that the team impressed with the man advantage last night, scoring on both their opportunities.
The first goal was generated with impressive efficiency, as Vancouver needed just 26 seconds before Brock Boeser scored.
Beautiful rush sequence on the PP and it's Brock Boeser with the opening goal for the #Canucks pic.twitter.com/d0teGWmIK4
— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) March 7, 2021
The most encouraging part of that sequence is the fact that the Canucks had no problem breaking into Toronto’s zone, which is something that the team has struggled with recently. In previous games, they would often be pressured at centre ice and have difficulty entering the offensive zone, which is one of the signs of a struggling power play.
On the second power play, Bo Horvat was able to tip in a long-range shot from Boeser, which tied the game at two.
Bo Horvat tips Boeser's point shot on the PP and it beats Andersen to tie the game at 2 #Canucks #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/6K20PLKSAn
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) March 7, 2021
More importantly, they were able to dominate on the man advantage even with Pettersson out. If they could keep up their current level of play with him back in the lineup, then there should be no reason why the Canucks won’t be able to deploy an elite power play unit once again.
Top players stepped up
With Pettersson out of the lineup, Horvat, Boeser, and J.T. Miller all stepped up and contributed to the big win last night. Boeser, in particular, has been a consistent beacon of hope in a season filled with so many negative storylines. He played arguably his best game of the season, finishing with a goal and two assists.
However, it’s his overall game that has impressed the most. Fans have often knocked Boeser on his skating, but he’s looked noticeably quicker this year. He won’t be competing in the fastest skater contest anytime soon, but Boeser’s been able to rectify an area of his game that was a glaring weakness in past seasons, which is no small feat.
Meanwhile, Horvat chipped in with a goal and an assist while Miller had two helpers and also the eventual game-winner.
It's Miller Time! 3-2 #Canucks pic.twitter.com/l2ybM57g61
— Hockey Night Punjabi (@HkyNightPunjabi) March 7, 2021
One of the things that have caused the Canucks to struggle so much this season has been the fact that their top players haven’t been on the level expected of them, but with Horvat, Boeser, and Miller all having big games, let’s hope we can put that notion to rest now.