Canucks: 3 takeaways from the 6-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators

3. Dude, where’s the powerplay?

Much like their overall scoring prowess, it’s also safe to say that the Canucks are struggling on the man advantage.

Since returning to the ice in mid-April, the team has only scored two goals on 14 powerplay attempts, putting them 23rd in the league at 14.3% over that two-week span. Of course, it doesn’t help that the team is still without Pettersson, who appears to have no timetable for a return from his wrist injury, but you would think that other players would be able to step up in his absence.

Spoiler alert. That didn’t happen either.

The Canucks went scoreless on the man advantage on Wednesday and were unable to generate anything on two separate opportunities.

The first powerplay came halfway through the first period with the team only down 1-0. Much like the other three games against Ottawa, the first unit had trouble entering the offensive zone, coughing up pucks in the neutral zone on a consistent basis. The second unit had a little more success, registering one shot on goal, but you’ll need much more than that if you’re looking to tie the game up and keep it somewhat competitive.

The Canucks were rewarded one more chance late in the third period, but that opportunity turned out to be worst than the first one. There’s no denying that it was much too late for the Canucks to start the comeback at that point, but they blew a quality chance to at least gain some powerplay confidence for future games.

Both units could barely pass the centre line without turning the puck over, forcing Thatcher Demko to stay alert and make three incredible saves on the rush. (Yes, he caused the turnover on one of them, but it’s important to also focus on the positives every so often, you know?)

Listen, we wholeheartedly expect the Canucks to take more penalties instead of drawing them, especially given their current fitness and fatigue levels, but that doesn’t mean that they can let their powerplay fall to the wayside. Quite frankly, it might be the only weapon that the team has to stay afloat and not be blown out in their upcoming games, so Newell Brown and co. will need to figure out how to turn this ship around, and fast.

Other newsworthy notes:

• Nils Höglander recorded one assist last night, bringing him up to 20 points in 43 games this year. He has registered at least one point in six of his last ten games, and currently sits sixth in team scoring.
• The Canucks’ penalty kill was a perfect 3-for-3 on Wednesday, with forwards Matthew Highmore and Tyler Motte leading the shorthanded charge. Motte was promoted to the Lotto Line on Wednesday, skating alongside Miller and Boeser, and he did not look out of place. He finished the night with one assist and a plus-one rating in just over 17 minutes of ice time.

The Canucks are right back in action on Thursday, facing off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 4:00 pm PST.

What were your thoughts on the Canucks’ 6-3 loss against the Senators? Make sure to drop a comment below!