Lindholm’s journey from doubts to difference-maker
Quinn Hughes thought Elias Lindholm was a beast Sunday.
Former Calgary Flames teammate Nikita Zadorov thought once the new Canucks centre adjusted to his new surroundings and a new system, he would rival some of the NHL’s most-complete players.
“When he’s at his best, I put him in the same category as (Aleksander) Barkov and (Sean) Couturier as two-way centres who can play against top lines,” Zadorov said of the fifth-overall draft pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013.
Rick Tocchet thought the 29-year-old Lindholm was going to check a lot of boxes when acquired on Jan. 31 from the Flames in a multipackage swap.
“In pressure situations, you’re looking for smart players,” said the Canucks bench boss. “He’s going to protect that back door and have his stick in the lane to deflect a puck, instead of it getting on net. And if there’s a rebound, he’s got his guy. It’s the little things.”
Those little things have all added up to this.
Lindholm’s first two-goal career playoff game included the winner in a gutsy 4-3 decision win the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday and he now has five goals in nine 2024 post-season games. The Canucks lead the series 2-1 because they’re defending better, being opportunistic and limiting the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Lindholm is a big part of that.
He threw one of his three big hits on his first shift in Game 3, he was 50 per cent in the faceoff circle and again worked effectively on the first penalty-kill pairing. After missing seven games down the stretch with a wrist injury, the healthy veteran centre is giving the Canucks depth down the middle.
That’s why they acquired the unrestricted free agent who has 24 points (13-11) in 36 career playoff games.
Calgary also received the Canucks’ first-round pick in the trade and a conditional fourth-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, plus defence prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo.
A lot to give up, but worth it if Lindholm could be a difference-maker when it mattered most. And even though it was a big challenge in the third period Sunday, where the Canucks were outshot 22-3 and 45-18 overall, he helped gut it out.
“We don’t want to defend that much and when you have a lead you talk about attacking more,” he said. “But everyone bought in and did whatever it took to win this game. It was huge. We kept them on the outside and lot and guys were blocking shots.
“A lot of character in our room.”
Lindholm’s deft stick deflection of a Brock Boeser power play point shot in the first period showed a willingness to go to the net. And his winning goal on another power play — driving the lane and showing balance and finish when a J.T. Miller shot went off his skate — was a pleasing combination of will and skill.
It’s been quite the journey from trade-deadline rumour to valuable playoff performer.
Lindholm was mentioned in a report of discussions to possibly flip him to the Boston Bruins in a multi-layered transaction. It would have created room for the Canucks to make a run at landing Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel.
Pretty hard for Lindholm to concentrate on his game when that kind of stuff was out there.
“I spoke to him on the trip before the trade deadline to tell him my feelings,” said Tocchet. “I think he appreciated it. He has played better and some players act differently around the trade deadline, but as coach you try and support your player. . . “