Canucks: 3 takeaways from 4-2 loss to Columbus

Rock bottom, meet the Vancouver Canucks.

The team made their way to Ohio on Friday night, looking to bounce back from their 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh just 48 hours earlier. As we’ve seen far too many times this year, Wednesday’s contest was yet another uninspired, flat outing from the Canucks, who desperately needed to get back into win column.

As a result, it felt like a must-win situation for the Canucks, who had already lost four road games in a row, but it wasn’t going to be an easy task against Columbus, who had won six of their past nine games heading into Friday night.

Unlike Wednesday, Vancouver definitely showed more energy and effort, outplaying and outhustling the Blue Jackets for majority of the game. But, once again, the team was unable to execute at the right moment, eventually falling to Columbus by a score of 4-2.

With the loss, Vancouver dropped to 0-2 on their current five-game road trip, bringing their overall record to 1-7-1 in the last nine games.

With the defeat, Vancouver remained 27th in the league and seventh in the Pacific Division, only one point ahead of Seattle but, more importantly, continue to spiral and fall apart in what can only be described as one of the lowest points in franchise history.

Without further ado, here are three takeaways from Friday’s 4-2 loss to Columbus:

Third period troubles continue

What can we even say anymore?

It was anyone’s game heading into the second intermission, with the clubs deadlocked at 2-2. Despite having to come back from behind twice in the first two periods, Vancouver had still dominated most of the play, and appeared to be on the brink of a much-needed offensive outpour heading into the final frame.

Now, most teams in this situation would understand that their opponents, the ones who had been badly outshot, outplayed, outchanced and essentially out-everything-else, would be coming out guns (or cannons) ablazing, and would need to deliver a strong, defensively-sound performance right from puck drop in order to keep the momentum neutral.

However, similar to what happened against the Blackhawks last Sunday, something seemed to switch off for the Canucks as they walked down the tunnel to hit the ice.

Shortly after Vancouver registered its 30th shot on net (more on that below), Columbus turned into the hungrier, more desperate team, knowing very well that these two points were still in reach. The Blue Jackets were able to apply pressure and effectively control the puck, which led to them hemming Vancouver in their own zone just past the five-minute mark.

The puck eventually made its way onto the stick of Jack Roslovic, who fired the puck past a screened Thatcher Demko for the eventual game-winning tally. It wasn’t a highlight-reel goal from Roslovic, but the young forward was able to make the most of his team’s sustained offensive zone entry, a feat that the Canucks haven’t been able to take advantage of all season long.

With this third period letdown, Vancouver’s record diminished to 1-5 when tied after the first 40 minutes. Their last and only victory in this manner took place on October 23rd when they spoiled Seattle’s housewarming party at Climate Pledge Arena.

The Canucks had an above .500 record of 3-2-1 following that win.

Oh, how the times have changed.

Podkolzin, Hughes deliver strong performances

Despite the results on the scoresheet, the Canucks delivered a much better performance on Friday night, particularly from Vasily Podkolzin and Quinn Hughes.

The Russian rookie suited up for his 15th consecutive game of the year, this time skating with Elias Pettersson and Justin Dowling on the third line.

Despite the inconsistency in linemates, Podkolzin continued to build upon his impressive inaugural season, once again showcasing his speed, physicality and tenacity without the puck on Friday night.

The former 2019 first round selection was consistently in Columbus’s end and eventually finished the evening with two SOG and a Corsi For (CF) percentage of 84% in just over 15 minutes of ice time. Podkolzin also registered Vancouver’s first goal of the game thanks to yet another blistering wrist shot past the opposing netminder.

Podkolzin now has four goals and one assist in 19 games this year, including two points in his last four games.

Hughes was the other bright spot in an otherwise gloomy result.

With Travis Hamonic unavailable due to his current vaccination status, head coach Travis Green paired Hughes with Luke Schenn, who was playing his second game back since returning from an undisclosed injury.

Unlike Wednesday’s contest, Hughes was dominant on the ice, putting his smooth skating, high hockey IQ and strong puck-carrying skills on full display.

The former Calder Trophy nominee logged 25:40 of ice time as a result, just under three minutes ahead of the next busiest blueliner in Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

During that time, Hughes notched one hit, four SOG, a 71.43 CF% and one assist, marking his 15th point of the season.

Hughes’ helper also came at a timely manner with just 1:26 left in the middle frame. The 22-year-old was able to corral the puck at the blueline before releasing a quick, yet strong wrist shot that was eventually tipped by former Blue Jacket Tyler Motte before making its way past Elvis Merlikins.

Despite the individual success, both Hughes and Green credited his strong on-ice performance to Schenn, who has likely solidified his spot next to Hughes for the remainder of the road trip.

Schenn finished the night with two SOG, four hits and one block in just under 19 minutes.