The Canuck Way
Fansided

Three takeaways from Canucks 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay Lightning

By Joshua Rey

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 13: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning stops a shot from Jason Dickinson #18 of the Vancouver Canucks during a game at Amalie Arena on January 13, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 13: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning stops a shot from Jason Dickinson #18 of the Vancouver Canucks during a game at Amalie Arena on January 13, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 13: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tyler Motte #64 of the Vancouver Canucks fight for the puck during a game at Amalie Arena on January 13, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 13: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tyler Motte #64 of the Vancouver Canucks fight for the puck during a game at Amalie Arena on January 13, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

#1: The fourth line leads the offensive charge

The Canucks fourth line has played pretty well on this road trip so far. In fact, they got three out of the four Canucks goals on the trip.

Juho Lammikko got on the board against the Panthers and his linemates found the back of the next against the Lightning.

Matthew Highmore made it 1-1 in the first period with a snipe that went past Andrei Vasilevsky and off the post.

Tyler Motte managed to get the Canucks within one with a gorgeous between the legs goal. You are definitely going to watch this more than once.

The fourth line also showed some great forechecking during the game and was buzzing in the first in particular.

“We’re just trying to chip in any way, anything we can do to contribute,” said Highmore.

It was nice to see some depth scoring (especially against a good team like Tampa Bay.) but the Canucks need more than just one line doing their scoring and they need their best players to produce.

#2: Elias Pettersson looked fine but there was no finish

Pettersson was put on the wing as a way to potentially get him back on the scoresheet.

Unfortunately, Pettersson had another game without a point. He has one point in five games and hasn’t scored since December 14 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Pettersson only managed one shot on goal in the game but he did play well. He was creating chances showing glimpses of the vision that we saw during his first two seasons. Pettersson managed a nice pass to Horvat in the second but unfortunately, Horvat was denied by Vasilevsky. He was constantly around the net trying to get a goal or set up his teammates for goals.

The 23-year-old managed to get chances of his own including a partial breakaway in the second but he ended up shooting it over the bar.

Pettersson managed 77.27% Corsi for and that was fifth on the Canucks on the night per NaturalStatTrick. He was second in expected goals percentage with 75.96% and was tied for the team lead in high danger Corsi for with Conor Garland with 80%.

Again, Pettersson looked good and it was probably his best game in a few weeks but the points need to come. We all know he has talent and the potential to be one of the best players in the league but he is clearly struggling. Pettersson needs to figure it out as soon as possible but how soon will he?

No, making Pettersson a healthy scratch, sending him to the AHL or trading him is not the answer. Please stop with those takes.

We saw glimpses of the old Pettersson but glimpses aren’t good enough.

Home/Analysis