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Canucks: 3 takeaways from embarrassing 7-4 loss to Anaheim

By Zaahid Lalani

Feb 19, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Adam Henrique (14) celebrates his second goal of the game scored on Vancouver Canucks goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Adam Henrique (14) celebrates his second goal of the game scored on Vancouver Canucks goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /
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That was a really bad effort from the Vancouver Canucks.

The team returned to Rogers Arena on Saturday night, kicking off their three game homestand against Troy Terry and the Anaheim Ducks. It was an important contest for the Canucks, who were hoping to secure their third straight victory in front of a full-capacity crowd, while also trying to close the gap between their California rival.

Cue the disappointment.

Vancouver gave up the first five goals of the game for the second time this month, ending Thatcher Demko’s night just 25 minutes into the contest. The team showed flashes of offence and spark throughout the remaining half, but those opportunities never amounted to any sort of comeback, forcing fans to leave their seats well before the final whistle.

With the embarrassing loss, Vancouver is now just one game above .500, sitting sixth in the Pacific Division with a record of 23-22-6. They’re also seven points behind the Los Angeles Kings, who currently hold the second and final wild card spot in the Western Conference with a game in hand.

But, hey – at least the dog race was entertaining?

Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s 7-4 defeat to Anaheim:

Another flat first period

If only this contributor had a nickel every time the Canucks started a game poorly.

Similar to their contest against the Islanders earlier in the month, the Canucks came out extremely lethargic and flat-footed on Saturday night, and it impacted them on the scoreboard right away.

Before Vancouver could even register a shot on goal (or even register what was going on in the game, for that matter), Anaheim was able to establish a two-goal lead, thanks to two quick tallies from Terry and Nicolas Deslauriers.

Even with plenty of time left on the clock, Vancouver wasn’t able to find the motivation to claw their way back into the contest, let alone escape from their own end.

The team finished the opening frame with just two SOG, compared to nine from Anaheim. They were able to build on those totals, registering nine more shots in each of the following periods for a total of 20, but it’s hard to call that an improvement when you also give up a touchdown of goals.

Simply put, that’s nowhere near good enough for a team who is desperately trying to make it into the postseason.

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