Canucks surrender three goal first to visiting Flames in 5-2 loss

Takeaways

It’s a broken record, but another disappointing start sunk the Canucks. The home team surrendered seven high danger chances on 16 shots in the first period alone according to Natural Stat Trick.  Once the Flames had the lead, they never looked back.

On After Hours,  Boudreau commented on his team’s first-period collapse, crediting his goaltender for weathering the storm.

“You knew they were gonna come out … and try to take it to us,” said Boudreau. “Calgary was either more ready or a lot better. If it wasn’t for Demko… it could have been a lot worse.”

Although Boudreau didn’t have an answer for his team’s slow starts, he noted that they needed to solve the problem fast.

“It’s sort of an enigma to me that I have to figure out overnight because we can’t afford to have this done anymore,” he said.

To offer some light, he shared his pregame routine when he was in the NHL.

“I used to take 1-2 shots and skate from blue line to blue line … today’s player doesn’t do that,” said Boudreau.

The third period was by far the best for the Canucks, and you have to wonder, if they outscored their opposition in the last 20, what could they have done with a full 60?

With Pettersson’s less than 100% wrist, Boudreau favoured to put his centre on the wing. Despite pulling out a few nifty moves, he and his linemates, Horvat and Conor Garland were on the ice for the first three goals against. They were also outshot 14-1 to start the middle frame. By the end of the game, Boudreau had subbed in Vasily Podkolzin for Garland, and the wheels started turning.

In the face of five back-to-backs, Vancouver has their hands full. The once one point away wildcard team is now looking at a five-point deficit behind the Vegas Golden Knights, who have won their last two.

This seven-game homestand has been an unexpected step back for Vancouver. They will look to end it off with a win Sunday night against the Buffalo Sabres. Puck drop is at 7:00 PM.