Three takeaways from fun Canucks 4-0 win over LA Kings

Dec 6, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser (6) and goalie Thatcher Demko (35) and the Canucks celebrate their victory over the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser (6) and goalie Thatcher Demko (35) and the Canucks celebrate their victory over the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
3 of 3
Next

There was a game to be played the day after the Vancouver Canucks made significant changes in the organization. It was the start of a new era and the Los Angeles Kings were in town.

It was also the first game for Bruce Boudreau as the Canucks head coach and Scott Walker as an assistant.

Boudreau conducted his first practice on Monday morning and the team was in good spirits.

In the afternoon, he gave his first press conference as head coach and he seemed pretty happy and excited about the opportunity to coach the Canucks.

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1468014613035827201

Not to be overshadowed by the changes, it was also Alex Edler’s return to Vancouver since signing with Los Angeles in the offseason. He spent 15 years as a Canuck and leads the franchise in goals, (99) assists (310), and points (409) by a defenceman.

Edler received a video tribute and a standing ovation from the Canucks fans in attendance.

For the first time in a long time, the Canucks played a fun hockey game. They looked like a different team from Saturday night’s 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. They played with more energy, transitioned the puck up the ice more effectively, and looked more aggressive with the forecheck.

For the first time in a long time, lots of things went right for the Canucks. Juho Lammikko even scored a goal after a poor LA giveaway. Maybe he just doesn’t do nothing after all.

“Man, it was fast,” said Boudreau after the game. ” It was a lot different than watching it on TV for the last year and a half I can tell you that.”

The fans even shared their love of the new bench boss by chanting “Bruce, there it is!” to the tune of Tag Team’s hit song Whoomp! (There it is)

So it looks the Boudreau era is off to a great start. The game was like listening to Weezer’s OK Human album after five years of mediocre music from them. (Ok, maybe not that far.) Here are three takeaways from the Canucks 4-0 win over the Kings.

Dec 6, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Bo Horvat (53) and forward Brock Boeser (6) and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrate Boeser’s goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Bo Horvat (53) and forward Brock Boeser (6) and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrate Boeser’s goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /

#1 The special teams were special!

As we already know, special teams have been a big struggle for the Canucks all season. The penalty kill ranks dead last and its 64% is the worst by an NHL team in the first 25 games in league history. The power play ranked 22nd heading into the game.

The Kings were heading into the game with the 12th ranked power play and they scored three times Sunday night in Edmonton. The goals all came on a five-minute major taken by Conor McDavid.

The Canucks penalty kill is now being run by Walker and Boudreau even said that a player asked him if he could be on the penalty kill at morning practice.

Who could that be? It could have been either Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, or Vasily Podkolzin as they all got time on the penalty kill.

However, Pettersson said after the game his name was on the list to attend a meeting on the penalty kill.

The penalty kill killed off the Kings’ two attempts. Can you believe it? They were perfect on the night!

They were attacking the puck carriers, winning the battles, and even skating up the ice. Before they were just standing around and struggling to get the puck out. Boudreau took note of that and made sure that wasn’t going to happen.

Pettersson even got a shorthanded penalty shot but he missed the net.

Podkolzin made sure to get the puck and get it out of the zone quickly. He only get 17 seconds of shorthanded time and Pettersson got 39 seconds. Yet, they still made a big impact on the penalty kill. Maybe they should be on the kill more often.

The power play also came to life and so did Brock Boeser.

Boeser broke his goal drought of 13 games. After a nice passing play by J.T. Miller and Tanner Pearson, Boeser’s shot went off Drew Doughty’s skate and past Cal Petersen.

“I think I’ve had some good chances during this scoring drought, hitting posts and crossbars, and then that’s the one that goes in,” said Boeser per Sportsnet 650’s Brendan Batchelor. ” It’s crazy how this game works.”

Miller got on the scoresheet with an absolute rocket of a one-timer.

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1468088422719918080

The power play was getting shots through and they moved the puck well.

#2 The line of Conor Garland, Elias Pettersson, and Vasily Podkolzin impresses

This line that should stick together for now.

The line of Pettersson, Podkolzin, and Conor Garland looked dangerous. They were connecting their passes, got plenty of scoring chances, and made sure the Canucks got plenty of offensive zone time.

The trio brought skill along with grit and they were a big reason why the Canucks forecheck was aggressive.

Per NaturalStatTrick, Pettersson, Podkolzin, and Garland had a 47.06% Corsi for, 76.71% expected goals for, 63.64% scoring chances for, and 100% high danger chances for.

Pettersson looked more like his usual self. He was making good passes, not bobbling the puck and not turning it over. The only thing he needs to do is shoot more as he looked hesitant to shoot on the power play.

Podkolzin looked great defensively and offensively. He was pressuring the puck carriers to lose the puck, helping with the counterattack, and trying to make plays of his own.

Garland continued to provide the skill, grit, and offence that he has brought all season. He got the Canucks second goal of the game.

Dec 6, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) makes a save against the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) makes a save against the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /

#3 Thatcher Demko stood tall once again

You know he was going to be part of the three takeaways.

Surprisingly, this was only Thatcher Demko’s second regular season shutout of his career. (He had one in the playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights and that was technically his first.)

He stopped all 31 shots from the Kings. He once again made sure to stop the high danger chances and one of them was a breakaway save on Alex Iafallo. Just another day at the office for him.

“It’s a weird day,” said Demko per Thomas Drance of The Athletic. “It just felt weird, it’s the only way I can describe it, end of the day a decision was made and you could feel Bruce’s energy right away.”

Demko now leads the league in starts and minutes played.

It’s safe to say Boudreau is going to be pretty happy knowing he has Demko as the starter.

Other notes

  • Jason Dickinson even tried to get on the offence by joining the rush and taking some shots. Only one was on goal however.
  • Pearson led all Canucks with six shots on goal. The former King had a HDCF of  66.67%
  • It was refreshing to see the Canucks not give so many odd-man rushes for once.

Next. The Jim Benning era was a dysfunctional one for the Canucks. dark

The Canucks homestand continues as the Boston Bruins come to town on Wednesday. Note the start time is 6:00 PM.

Next