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Canucks: 3 takeaways from 4-3 comeback win over Columbus

By Zaahid Lalani

Dec 14, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Bo Horvat (53) scores the game winning goal on Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins (90) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver Won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Bo Horvat (53) scores the game winning goal on Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins (90) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver Won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /
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Hughes, Myers lead the way once again

Quinn Hughes and Tyler Myers, take a bow.

There’s no surprise that Vancouver’s blueline is one of the weaker spots of their game, but that was emphatically put to the test on Tuesday night.

A few hours before puck drop, the team announced that forward Juho Lammikko and Luke Schenn were placed on the team’s COVID-19 protocol list, forcing Boudreau to juggle his line combinations, who was already in a sticky situation with Travis Hamonic still sidelined with injury and Oliver Ekman-Larsson returning from his own nagging issues.

The bad news continued for the backend during warm-up, as Brad Hunt was also removed from the ice after testing positive as well, paving the way for Abbotsford native Noah Juulsen to make his Canucks debut alongside Kyle Burroughs on the third pairing.

And that wasn’t all.

After playing just 5:37 in the first period, the team also lost the services of Tucker Poolman, who was flagged for a delayed positive test and placed on the COVID-19 protocol list shortly after. As a result, Vancouver was down to five defencemen for the final two periods, putting the responsibility and increased ice time on the shoulders of Hughes and Myers.

Fortunately, they both delivered big.

Hughes ended up playing 27:28 against Columbus, and was electric every time he stepped over the boards. The former Calder Trophy nominee finished the evening with three SOG and three assists, including this slick, patient dish to Vasily Podkolzin for the game-tying tap-in.

With the assists, Hughes sits second in team scoring with 25 points, just four back of Miller, and has also put himself in the conversation for best offensive defencemen with other names such as Adam Fox, Cale Makar and Victor Hedman.

Myers also had a monster game, leading the team in TOI with 29:26, including 18:44 in the final two periods, while also registering three hits, six shots, three blocks and two assists on the second and third goals for Vancouver.

Say what you what about Myers, who has no doubt struggled with this team at times, but the big man has come up clutch when needed, and we’re all hoping he can continue this pace as the team navigates their way through their current blueline situation.

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