Three takeaways from Canucks tough 4-1 loss to Carolina Hurricanes

Jan 15, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Vincent Trocheck (16) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Vincent Trocheck (16) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 15, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) holds onto the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) holds onto the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the second period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

#3: It was an unlucky game for Elias Pettersson

It was another game without a point from Pettersson.

Pettersson was having a tough time on the power play particularly in the first period. He was bobbling the puck and he gave it away for a Hurricanes 2-on-1. He was also missing the net a lot and only managed two shots on goal.

In the second, Pettersson’s closest chance was a shot that went off the post. He was rather unlucky throughout the game. There was a scary moment where he got hit by Vasily Podkolzin’s skate in the face. Fortunately, Pettersson only got a bloody nose and was OK to continue playing.

In the third, Pettersson skated down the wing and tried to shoot but his stick broke. He then was tripped by Andersen and there was no call. Pettersson was visibly upset about it on the bench.

https://twitter.com/SadClubCommish/status/1482444401922097152

Watching Pettersson was like trying to watch Charlie Brown fail to kick the football. It seemed nothing was going his way. What did Pettersson do the tick off the hockey gods? We’ll never know.

However, you can’t blame Pettersson’s struggles on just bad luck. He didn’t look engaged out there and you can tell there wasn’t a lot of confidence.

Pettersson did have some good chances but again, he needs to produce. The old Pettersson is sorely missed.

Other notes

  • It seems Demko will also get the start Sunday in Washington.  “I have no concerns about Demko being able to go back to back,” said Boudreau per Drance.
  • The Canucks have not had a lead during this road trip and have been outscored 13-5. They last had a lead on New Year’s Day in a 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken

The Canucks get back in action Sunday against the Washington Capitals. It’s another early start time as the puck drops at 11:00 AM Pacific.