With a few timely saves, Canucks’ PK could be A-OK

VANCOUVER — It probably sounds weird after a humiliating defeat, but not all is lost.

Sure, the Canucks have a huge hole in their attack. Sure, the Canucks’ defence was a disaster on Wednesday in an embarrassing 7-1 loss to the visiting Nashville Predators.

Things are grim in this fourgame losing skid, heading into tonight’s visit by the San Jose Sharks. But there are still some glimmers of light, like the power play.

And, possibly, the penalty kill. Yes, the penalty kill that’s sitting in the bottom third of the NHL.

And yes, that’s even after the Canucks gave up another goal while penalty killing in Wednesday’s implosion, meaning the Canucks have given up a goal on one out of every five opportunities this season.

Here’s the thing: there’s reason to think their PK isn’t as bad as the numbers suggest.

For starters, the Canucks are allowing the fewest shot attempts against when they’re killing penalties. They’re in the top 10 in terms of preventing quality shots as well.

When it comes to structure, they’re doing well, but they’re just not getting timely stops from the goalies when they’re a man down.

Brendan Gaunce, for one, has been a key figure when down a man.

“Anticipating plays, knowing what’s going to happen before — watch video and know as much as you can about the power play, whether it’s a break in or their plays down low,” Gaunce said about how a team can find success playing shorthanded.

Limiting shots has been their story at even strength as well.

“At the end of the day it’s about sacrificing your body — if you miss a read or you have to get in a lane — our team’s been pretty good at it,” he said.

Loui Eriksson, known throughout his career as a top-end offensive contributor, is also a top-end penalty killer.

Eriksson said the key to being a good penalty killer is “about reading plays and being in the right lane. You obviously know who you’re playing against, who’s taking the shots, who likes to pass the puck.”