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Canucks: 3 takeaways from disappointing 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh

By Zaahid Lalani |
Dec 4, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin (8) picks up a Vancouver Canucks forward Bo Horvat (53) jersey that a Vancouver fan threw on the ice near the end of regulation time in the third period at Rogers Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin (8) picks up a Vancouver Canucks forward Bo Horvat (53) jersey that a Vancouver fan threw on the ice near the end of regulation time in the third period at Rogers Arena. Pittsburgh won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
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The Vancouver Canucks are an embarrassment right now.

After securing back-to-back wins for just the second time this season, the team made their way back to Rogers Arena, looking to make it three in a row against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were hoping to snap a three-game losing skid heading into Saturday night.

Dare to dream, right?

The Canucks were the inferior team for majority of the game, serving up multiple scoring opportunities to their opposition while also struggling to string together any sort of cohesive plays of their own.

With the loss, Vancouver remained dead last in the Pacific Division, still two points back of the brand-new Seattle Kraken, and they currently sit 28th in the league with a dismal record of 8-15-2.

Only Montreal, New York, Ottawa and Arizona have performed more poorly than the Canucks, but even those teams have managed to come away with victories against far more superior playoff-bound teams.

Without further ado, here are 3 takeaways from Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh:

Penalty box parade

Believe it or not, there was actually a few moments where Vancouver still had a chance to come away with two points.

Despite being outshot 13-7 in the first 20 minutes, the two teams were deadlocked at 0-0 heading into the first intermission, which is always a (somewhat) hopeful sign when you’re a Canucks fans.

Cue the middle frame.

Like we’ve seen so many times before, the Canucks returned to the ice looking fatigued, emotionless and lost, which ultimately trapped them in their own zone for the first three minutes of the second period. As a result, the Penguins were able to cycle the puck and control the play with ease en route to Jake Guentzel’s first tally of the game.

This marked the 10th time in 11 home games that Vancouver surrendered the opening tally.

Vancouver was able to bounce back right after, thanks to Vasily Podkolzin, but it was extremely short-lived.

Just like the hockey gods scripted, Vancouver would go on to take five consecutive penalties, including back-to-back infractions from J.T. Miller. The team was able to kill off the first two man advantages (a statement that this writer hasn’t been able to use at all this season), bringing their success rate to 80% over their past 20 penalties taken, but it all came crumbling down afterwards.

In a span of just 51 seconds, Vancouver took three separate trips to the sin bin, setting up Pittsburgh on a lengthy 5-on-3 powerplay.

And with three of their main penalty killers in the box in Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Tyler Motte and Tucker Poolman, Pittsburgh made sure to take full advantage of the opportunity.

Guentzel buried his second and third goals of the period, marking the first hattrick from a Pittsburgh player in Vancouver since Mario Lemieux in 1987.

Pittsburgh ultimately sealed the deal with those two goals, while also outshooting Vancouver 34-12 heading into the second intermission, but it was the underlying stats that really show how damaged this Canucks team really is.

The Canucks finished the evening with two powerplay goals against, zero powerplay goals of their own and, most importantly, a heart-sinking comparison to the Atlanta Thrashers.

Dude, where’s the offence?

We’ve said it before, and we’ll definitely say it again, but the Canucks need to find a way to reignite their star players.

Head coach Travis Green once again put his line combinations into a blender prior to Saturday night’s contest, hoping that any change would spark his forward group.

The trio of Miller, Podkolzin and Brock Boeser were probably the better line out of the four, with the Russian rookie carrying most of the weight like we’ve become so accustomed to seeing.

Podkolzin was one of the few (if not the only) brights spots on Saturday night, particularly in the middle frame, showcasing his lethal combination of speed, size and strength without the puck.

Podkolzin was eventually rewarded for his efforts, notching his fifth goal of the season halfway through the second period.

With the game tied 1-1 at that point, Podkolzin made sure to keep his foot on the gas pedal on his next shift, showcasing his patient puck-handling skills before feeding the puck to Elias Pettersson right in the slot. The slumping Swede hit the post, extending the search for his first even strength goal of the season.

Podkolzin was also one of the only players to show up in the third period to try and help his team overcome yet another deficit. The 20-year-old also ignited the comeback on a 2-on-1 with Bo Horvat, but was stopped by the glove of Tristan Jarry.

Podkolzin finished the evening with one goal, two SOG and a 38.46% Corsi For in just under 13 minutes of ice time.

Those were the only encouraging stats amongst Vancouver’s forwards.

Miller, Pettersson and Horvat all went scoreless on the scoresheet, while Tanner Pearson, Conor Garland and Nils Höglander also followed suit.

Boeser did manage to register an assist on Podkolzin’s goal, finally reaching the double-digit point plateau, but it was only his second point in 12 games. His last goal came on November 7th.

Quite frankly, this is not even close to being good enough, particularly when the opposing star players like Guentzel, Crosby and Kris Letang can combine for 10 points, and when your Thatcher Demko is doing all that he can to keep his team in the fight.

It’s one thing to score against teams like Ottawa and Montreal, but it’s a whole other battle trying to hit the scoresheet against clubs that actually challenge you.

And when you’re playing in front of your home crowd on a Saturday night, after being on the road for five contests, with your season also being held together by a tattered piece of duct tape, these players need to step it up big time.

Enough is enough

Saturday night’s third period could go down as one of the most memorable and historic final frames this season, but not for what transpired on the ice during those 20 minutes.

After yet another brutal shift from Poolman, which ultimately led to Pittsburgh’s fourth goal of the game, it was evident that the fans had had enough.

With still minutes left in the game, handfuls of disappointed fans started to create a mass exodus out of their seats and towards the doors. The fans that did decide to stick around made sure that the front office could hear their displeasure with booming boos and a distinct, unified “Fire Benning” chant that grew louder and louder as the clock winded down.

The eight-year frustration reached its breaking point with just 1.6 seconds to go, simply summarized by a blue and green jersey littering the ice.

Your move, Jim Benning.

The Canucks will be back in action on Monday night, taking on Alex Edler and the Los Angeles Kings. Puck drop is set for 7:00pm PST.

Next. Abbotsford Canucks Check-in (Nov 26th - Dec 3rd). dark

What are your thoughts after Saturday’s 4-1 loss against Pittsburgh? Have you reached your breaking point? Let us know in the comments!

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