Canucks: 3 takeaways from the 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs

VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 18: Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates after scoring the game winning goal on goalie Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs as John Tavares #91 looks on during the overtime period of NHL hockey action at Rogers Arena on April 17, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 18: Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates after scoring the game winning goal on goalie Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs as John Tavares #91 looks on during the overtime period of NHL hockey action at Rogers Arena on April 17, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
1 of 4
Vancouver Canucks Bo Horvat. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Vancouver Canucks Bo Horvat. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

The belief-o-meter is high for the Vancouver Canucks right now.

After their gutsiest performance of the season on Sunday night, the team was able to come out strong once again, doubling up on the Toronto Maple Leafs by a score of 6-3 on Tuesday night.

Rookie winger Nils Höglander managed to find his way onto the scoresheet for the third straight game, and both Tanner Pearson and Brandon Sutter contributed with two goals of their own.

The team is currently riding a two-game winning streak since returning from their 18-day COVID-19 delay and will be looking to carry this success into their upcoming four-game series against the Ottawa Senators starting on Thursday night.

Now, with all things considered, should we be using the current belief-o-meter to measure the team’s likelihood for a late-season playoff push? Some fans might think so.

More from Editorials

The team, despite being outshot by a margin of 40-29, played much better compared to Sunday night’s tilt. More importantly, the Canucks were able to establish a .500 record for the first time in nearly two months, and they’ve given their fans weeks of happiness and comfort after lighting up Toronto’s newest netminder, Dave “Can’t Buy A Save” Rittich.

You could also add that the “glass-half-full” crowd will probably jump on board with this trend as well, especially since the team is (mathematically speaking) technically still in the hunt for the fourth and final spot in the Scotia North Division.

Plus, with the way this season has been going, and with the current downward trajectory of the Canadiens and Flames as of late, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Canucks actually did claw their way back into the postseason conversation.

Why not, right?

No matter what ends up happening with this club, however, and with everything they’ve had to deal with over the past few weeks, it’s been an absolute blast seeing them chalk up a few W’s against their Eastern opponents, even if it turns out to be short-lived.

One thing is for certain, though.

The Canucks are playing with a tremendous amount of heart and soul right now, taking it one game at a time to show the league that they aren’t going down without a fight. And that’s something that we can all use to ignite our belief-o-meter.

Here’s a look at three takeaways from last night’s victory against the Maple Leafs.