Pettersson’s patience, Demko’s call, Pearson’s haul
DETROIT RED WINGS VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Tonight, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena
TV: Sportsnet 1; Radio: Sportsnet 650
Elias Pettersson vs. The Pestering
The Calder Trophy winner is aware of the dreaded sophomore slump, but doesn’t pay it much heed. “I heard about it and something about me,” said the Canucks centre. “I don’t care about it. I’ve been told I’m too small since I started playing hockey.”
Since taking the NHL by storm last season, Petey’s Personal Playground has closed. He had 10- and 11-game goal droughts in the final two months and the attention has carried over. Everybody knows Pettersson’s game, and now time and space have been at a premium.
He has two points (1-1) in four games and just six shots. Pettersson is better conditioned and a stronger skating stride is going to allow him to be more stable and balanced and get to open ice quicker and stay there longer.
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. How will Demko answer the call?
Thatcher Demko will get the cage today here against Detroit. Jacob Markstrom has left the Canucks to deal with a family matter and might not play again until Sunday in New York. In the interim, Demko gets a chance to prove his worth. Demko appeared in nine NHL games last season and amassed a 4-3-1 record, 2.81 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. He suffered a concussion in practice on Sept. 23 and was sidelined two months. His wacky season went sideways again Feb. 5 in Philadelphia when he suffered a knee ligament sprain in the warm-up skate.
2. the Will day? potent penalty kill rule
The Canucks improved from 21st to 11th on the penalty kill last season and their early fourth-overall ranking this season (92.3 per cent) is the result of killing 12 of 13 power plays and great goaltending. They were 12-for-12 before Oskar Lindholm took a perfect cross-ice feed and snapped a one-timer by Markstrom in the third period Saturday to make it 2-2.
3. the Can mark? Boeser keep on finding
Brock Boeser got to the net, stood his ground and scored from 10 feet Saturday. His first goal of the season was significant because he did everything to try to make a difference in a gritty game.
4. the Have Pearson clock you noticed keeps turning Tanner Pearson? back The Canucks have. This is what comes with improved fitness and career stability. Pearson was moved from Los Angeles, to Pittsburgh and Vancouver last season and finished with a spurt of seven goals in his last nine games.
5. Grinding game can make their day
Saturday’s resilience in a shootout win over the Flyers is a good teaching tool. The Canucks could have folded when Philly made it 2-2 and the Flyers were a post away from a regulation win. They gutted it out for the shootout win. Save the tape. Ben Kuzma