Canucks: 3 takeaways from 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets

VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 22: Goalie Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks eyes the puck as Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets and Travis Hamonic #27 of the Vancouver Canucks battle in front of the net during the second period of NHL action at Rogers Arena on March 22, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 22: Goalie Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks eyes the puck as Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets and Travis Hamonic #27 of the Vancouver Canucks battle in front of the net during the second period of NHL action at Rogers Arena on March 22, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
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VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 4: Jack Rathbone #3 of the Vancouver Canucks shoots the puck. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 4: Jack Rathbone #3 of the Vancouver Canucks shoots the puck. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Jack Rathbone looked good

Jack Rathbone was playing in only his fourth NHL game, but head coach Travis Green decided to throw him a bone and put him on the first power play unit. He looked like he had been on an NHL power play unit for quite some time, helping move the puck well and even attempting to take a few shots on the team’s opening powerplay.

Defensively, he looked solid as well.  As you can see in the clip below, Rathbone took the puck away cleanly from Connor.

He was making these types of plays throughout the game, including forcing turnovers, blocking shots and making nice passes.

Green also had some high praise for the 21-year-old rookie:

"“We kind of threw him into the water and let him swim. I thought Jack looked fine tonight,” said Green per Canucks Army’s David Quadrelli."

He also mentioned the power play with Rathbone on.

"“That’s probably the best our power play has looked in a while,” said Green."

Rathbone finished the game with an assist on Höglander’s second goal, three shots on goal, three hits, four blocks, one giveaway and one takeaway.  He managed 16:20 total ice time and 1:33 power play time.

So far, Rathbone has come as advertised.

Other notes

  • Despite winning the game, the Canucks were officially eliminated from playoff contention after the Montreal Canadiens secured a point against the Edmonton Oilers. The Calgary Flames were also eliminated as a result. The Canucks and Flames play against each other four more times this season.
  • Kole Lind came out of the line up for Zack MacEwen, who finished serving his one-game suspension for kneeing Oilers’ defencemen Darnell Nurse.
  • According to Natural Stat Trick, the Canucks had a 66.67 High Danger Corsi For (HDCF) percentage in the first. They also finished with a total 47.37% HDCF.

The Canucks get right back at it with the Jets on Tuesday. Puck drop is at 5:00pm PST.

What did you think of the Canucks’ 3-1 win over the Jets? Make sure to drop a comment below!