Canucks: 3 takeaways from dominant 5-1 win over Winnipeg

The Vancouver Canucks are finally back in the win column.

After registering just two points during their recent three-game homestand, the team made their way to Manitoba, looking to gain some ground in the Pacific Division against Kyle Connor and the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.

The Canucks delivered a strong game right from puck drop, battling hard against the boards and limiting Winnipeg’s scoring chances at even strength. The team was also very impressive on special teams, going 2-for-3 on the man advantage while also shutting down all three of their opponent’s powerplay opportunities en route to one of their most complete wins of the year.

With the victory, Vancouver now sits just three points back of San Jose for the second and final wild card spot in the Western Conference.

Here are three takeaways from Thursday’s 5-1 win in Winnipeg:

Miller, Boeser lead the way

J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser came to play at Bell MTS Arena.

With Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson still on the team’s COVID-19 protocol list, head coach Bruce Boudreau was once again forced to juggle his line combinations on Thursday night, this time pairing up Miller and Boeser.

And what a decision that was.

The duo first connected in the opening frame, with Boeser delivering a perfect behind-the-net pass to Miller just 10 seconds into the powerplay.

Boeser and Miller continued their offensive connection into the middle frame, this time at even strength, with Boeser executing another perfect set-up to Miller, who wired the wrister past Connor Hellebuyck.

Miller didn’t waste any time completing the hattrick, beating Hellebuyck five-hole just 10 minutes later for his team-leading 15th goal of the campaign. This was just the third time that Miller has recorded two or more goals in a contest this season, but it also marked his 10th multiple-point outing.

Miller eventually returned the favour in the third period, registering the primary assist on Boeser’s powerplay tally to extend the team’s lead to three goals.

In the end, Miller and Boeser combined for seven points and eight shots on the night, carrying much of the offensive load for the Canucks. Miller also led the way amongst all forwards with a TOI of 18:35, including just over four minutes on the penalty kill.

Martin secures well-deserved NHL win

Miller and Boeser may have lead the way offensively, but there’s no doubt that Spencer Martin was the other star of the evening.

It had been a rollercoaster of a week for Martin, who made his Canucks debut in impressive fashion last Friday against Florida before being added to the team’s COVID-19 protocol list less than 48 hours later. The 26-year-old netminder was miraculously able to return on Tuesday night, facing 50 shots in total, but was once again robbed of the full two points against the Oilers.

And even with Jaroslav Halak cleared to play after missing the past five contests, Boudreau once again turned to Martin on Tuesday night as a result, hoping that the young netminder could execute another strong performance between the pipes.

He did not disappoint.

Martin was solid in the opening frame, turning aside nine of 10 shots faced. He continued his impressive and confident play in the middle frame, helping his team carry a lead into the second intermission for his third consecutive outing.

Fortunately for Martin, the players in front of him finally figured out how to close a game in the last 20 minutes, padding the lead with two more goals to help secure Martin’s first every NHL victory.

It’s been a fantastic story for Martin over these past three contests, turning aside 113 of 118 shots faced and securing four out of a possible six points to go along with a combined .961 SV%.

Of course, given that Halak and Thatcher Demko are poised to be back in action by the weekend, it’s likely that Martin’s big league journey will come to an end for the time being, but you never know if we’ll see him and his chrome helmet sooner than we think.