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Canucks: 3 takeaways from 5-2 loss to Buffalo (October 19th)

By Zaahid Lalani

Oct 19, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson (41) watches the puck as Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser (6) looks to deflect the shot during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson (41) watches the puck as Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser (6) looks to deflect the shot during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brad Hunt struggles, Quinn Hughes sorely missed

It was a tough debut for Brad Hunt.

The 33-year-old veteran suited up for his first regular season contest with his new team, but we have a feeling that he’s going to want that one back.

Hunt played extremely well during training camp and preseason, with some even suggesting that he deserved a spot in the team’s defensive core ahead of Jack Rathbone and Olli Juolevi. Hunt ended up watching from the press box for the first three contests, with Rathbone ultimately securing the final spot on the third-pairing, but there was no doubt that Hunt was chomping at the bit to prove himself once again.

That opportunity came on Tuesday night, and it was a big one. Hunt was slotted in on the left side of the blueline as a replacement for Quinn Hughes, who was a last-minute scratch for the team.

As a result, Hunt was given quite a bit of responsibility both at even strength and on the powerplay but, as we all painfully witnessed, he wasn’t able to deliver in any on-ice situation against Buffalo.

Hunt led the team in shots registered with five, but also finished the night with a minus three rating.  Hunt made key mistakes on three of Buffalo’s goals, including a poorly executed blocked shot which led to the eventual game-winning marker. The former Minnesota Wild looked lost and out of position on most shifts, and wasn’t able to establish much chemistry with either Tucker Poolman or Luke Schenn, who was also making his regular season debut.

Schenn faired a bit better than Hunt, registering one assist, two SOG and two hits in just under 15 minutes. But let’s be real, the bar was set pretty low from Hunt.

To be fair, like most of his teammates, Hunt did actually have a decent start to the game, but his poor positioning and inability to make clean passes quickly caught up to him throughout the evening. Given his lengthy NHL experience, it’s expected that Hunt will know how to rebound when his next opportunity comes a knockin’.

But, for right now, fans should hope and pray that Hughes will be back soon so we don’t have to see if Hunt will prove us wrong again.

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