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Canucks: 3 takeaways from exciting 4-2 win against Washington

By Elvijs Norenbergs |
Jan 16, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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After a tough 4-1 loss against Carolina just yesterday, the Vancouver Canucks headed to America’s capital to face Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

With the powerplay being at the top of everyone’s mind, head coach Bruce Boudreau made sure to address it in the pre-game presser.

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1482764116414672899?s=20

“We can be as fancy as we want and as cute as we want but if you don’t shoot the puck you’re never gonna score.”

The Canucks had lost all three games on their current road trip so far, while their powerplay provided no help whatsoever in the process.

Conor Garland was a scratch for this game and was placed into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

Alex Chiasson stepped in for the energetic Garland on the third line.

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Boudreau also elected to pair Tucker Poolman with Quinn Hughes together again, describing that he was “pleasantly surprised” at how Poolman played next to Hughes in Raleigh.

With Boudreau having some history in Washington, the bench boss also received a few questions about #8,  specifically what the keys are to stopping him.

“Ask him not to come on the ice, that’s the first thing.”

Ovechkin must have missed that quote from his ex-coach, burying his 756th career goal on his team’s first chance on the powerplay to put the Capitals in the lead a little over halfway through the first period.

The Canucks were still able to go head-to-head with the hosts in the first period, showing some good aggression and offensive prowess at times and eventually outshooting the Caps 16-11 by the end of the opening frame.

The Canucks played a more positive game in the second period, with Thatcher Demko back-stopping the team but, more importantly, were finally able to get goals from the struggling Elias Pettersson.

Petey scored two typical EP40 goals, first patiently releasing a lethal shot past Ilya Samsonov on the glove side, and then adding a high-IQ bank shot behind the net.

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Not only did Pettersson finally get some points on the scoresheet, but the Canucks also finally led a game for once on this road trip.

Bo Horvat contributed to the team’s powerplay success, contributing a goal that was nothing less than a snipe with a little over a minute left in the second period.

The Canucks seemed to allow the Capitals a lot more of the possession in the third, which unfortunately cost them another PP goal from Tom Wilson.

However, an empty-net goal from J.T Miller with just under a minute left in the game solidified the Canucks’ first victory out of the last four games.

Boudreau was a happy man as he expressed his feelings towards his players after the big win.

Without further ado, here are the three takeaways from Sunday’s 4-2 win in Washington.

Jan 16, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Pettersson Catches A Break 

As of late, Pettersson’s play has left the fanbase a little divided to say the least, with some fans getting impatient and others holding onto the belief for the young Swede.

Since the New Year, Petey hadn’t scored a single point and, with the frustrating start to their road trip, it looked like he was far from getting out of this tough stretch.

We will not be screaming “HE IS BACK!” from the mountain tops just yet, but his gameplay was a serious throwback to what we really know and love of Pettersson.

The patience on the first goal, the creativity on the second, and the fast puck movement on the powerplay made him a real difference-maker in this game.

Pettersson took just four shots but still got a chance for a hattrick late in the third period, which he unfortunately failed to take advantage of. Despite the missed opportunity, Pettersson still knows that he’s on the cusp of breaking through.

Even Boudreau chimed in with praise.

Petey has never necessarily lacked confidence, so a statement like this is a good sign for the young superstar.

Jan 16, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) prepares to make a save on Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) during the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) prepares to make a save on Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) during the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Back-To-Back starts? No problem for Demko

Demko played well the whole game, looked focused, sharp, and ready for action from the start of the game.

That wasn’t the original plan.

Just hours before puck drop, the team announced that Jaroslav Halak, who was the expected starter, was placed on the team’s COVID-19 protocol list, forcing Demko between the pipes for the second consecutive day.

only conceding when his team was on the penalty kill.

Demko made 31 saves en route to his team’s win, while also reaching a milestone of his own.

Demko became just the second drafted goalie in franchise history to play 103 games, behind Glen Hanlon who played 136 as a Canucks draftee.

His impact was unmissable as he made save after save when the Capitals held more of the puck, including a big breakaway save on Nic Dowd in the second period to allow the Canucks to maintain their lead.

It also helped that Demko’s teammates finally provided him with some goals on the other end of his ice.

With the team not playing until Tuesday in Nashville, it would not be a huge surprise if Demko played once more to help his team secure one more victory on the road.

Jan 16, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat (53) celebrates with Canucks center J.T. Miller (9) after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat (53) celebrates with Canucks center J.T. Miller (9) after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Finally Some Life From The Powerplay 

The powerplay has been somewhat extinct lately, so it is understandable if most fans went into a state of shock in the second period.

After failing to capitalize on their powerplay chances in the past three games, the Canucks went 2-for-2 on the man advantage, thanks to Pettersson and Horvat, whose tally eventually stood as the game winner.

The successful powerplay also helped a few other players get back on the scoresheet, including Hughes.

Hughes finished the game with two assists himself, bringing his season point total to 30.

It comes a no real surprise that the team is more competitive and harder to beat once they can take advantage of the other team’s penalties.

With a star-studded first unit, there is little excuse for the Canucks to not take advantage of their powerplay opportunities. On Sunday, in particular, it was encouraging to see such great puck movement from the primary unit, something that fans are hoping will continue moving forward to make their team more competitive and, more importantly, harder to beat.

The Canucks will wrap up their five-game road trip on Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena, taking on the Nashville Predators. Puck drop is set for 5:00pm PST.

Next. How does Thatcher Demko compare to Jacob Markstrom since 2020-21?. dark

What are your thoughts from Sunday’s 4-2 win in Washington? Make sure to drop a comment below!

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