Woes Continue With Blanking In Shark Tank
Canucks’ penalty-kill, power-play units ineffective as losing streak hits eight
SAN JOSE, CALIF. If the Vancouver Canucks are having regular nightmares about killing penalties, it shouldn’t surprise anyone.
The Canucks played very well at even strength here Friday night against the San Jose Sharks, but still lost 4-0.
It was their not-so-special teams that told the story.
The Canucks’ penalty kill has surrendered goals in seven consecutive games now, their opponents scoring 10 times in total.
And on their own power plays, the Canucks went goalless for the first time in six games.
It all added up to a real shame. The Canucks have done many good things over the past eight games, but have nothing to show for it except a single point gained in a Nov. 10 shootout loss.
Friday was no different. The visitors created plenty of quality chances but couldn’t finish, firing high and wide on many of those opportunities.
The Sharks, on the other hand, demonstrated why they’re among the NHL’s elite teams. They have big-time players up and down the lineup. This is what the Canucks hope to look like one day: a team with plenty of offensive depth and a menacing blue-line. Losses happen when a team plays well. But so often they’re followed up with a win.
The bad taste dissipates. But on a lengthy losing streak, the bad taste simply gets worse.
The Sharks got power-play goals from Logan Couture, Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson. Melker Karlsson — with his first of the year — added an even-strength goal, tipping home an Erik Karlsson point shot.
Here’s what else we learned at the SAP Center:
THE PENALTY KILL
Playing without Brandon Sutter has becoming a full-blown crisis. And Canucks general manager Jim Benning said before the game that the veteran centre isn’t expected back any time soon.
Sutter is Vancouver’s best penalty killer, and not just because he wins draws. He breaks up plays. He foils zone entries. He forces opponents into taking shots they don’t want to take.
In his absence, the Canucks have been leaning on Markus Granlund and Tim Schaller. It’s been a struggle for the pair.
In fact, they were on the ice for all three power-play goals against on Friday.
“Find a way,” Travis Green said about his penalty kill after Wednesday’s frustrating loss. They’re still looking, unfortunately.
OFFENSIVE DEPTH
There probably hasn’t been a starker contrast in depth than what the Canucks lined up against on Friday.
Future hall of famer Joe Thornton is the Sharks’ third-line centre, for instance. That’s a lovely luxury to have.
With Sutter — who would be Vancouver’s third centre — out of the lineup, the Canucks have been leaning heavily on Bo Horvat in all situations. He’s done well.
Rookie Elias Pettersson continues to work at creating offence, but the burden on him and Horvat has become heavy. Their opposing numbers were Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture, two of the game’s top centres.
And they have Thornton behind them.
Sam Gagner has played well for Vancouver since being called up last Sunday, but the fact he was the Canucks’ leading skater at even strength after two periods reflected how challenging it is with Brock Boeser and Sven Baertschi on the injured list.
Gagner finished the night with 17:58 of ice time, third highest among forwards.
It’s quite the shift from spare part to leading NHL forward in less than a week.
THE SOUND OF CRISPNESS
The Sharks are Stanley Cup contenders. So many of their breakouts happen quickly and they feature fast, crisp puck movement.
The sound of puck on stick is notable. The Canucks don’t make that sound as much.
NO SHOTGUNNING
The Canucks spent 5:51 on the penalty kill in the first period, limiting ice time at even strength for a number of Canucks forwards.
Jake Virtanen, for instance, played just 1:58, spread over three shifts.
ROUSSEL VERSUS WATER BOTTLE CARRIER
After getting whistled for delay of game when he knocked a puck into the stands with his glove, Antoine Roussel took out his frustration on the orange water bottle carrier.
Logan Couture’s power-play goal, opening the scoring, came seconds later.
ROUSSEL VERSUS VLASIC’S HAND
In the game’s final minute, the frustrated Roussel got into a tussle with Marc-Edouard Vlasic and was sent off for an early shower.
Replays suggest Roussel may also have bit Vlasic’s hand. If the NHL’s department of player safety agrees, expect a suspension.