‘Must’ game ends up a bust game
There is always a significant risk when a coach puts emphasis on a particular game.
Like, what happens if things blow up?
Because the Canucks blew up Saturday — and blew up real good. Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins essentially took out a red marker and circled the Boston Bruins game like it was somehow vitally important. He called it a “must” game. Turns out, it was the bust game. The fog the Canucks are in only worsened, thanks in part to Jacob Markstrom’s glove hand which apparently got lost on this mountain Vancouver is trying to climb. Three times, the Bruins went high glove side and came away with goals. One was from 60 feet out. Another, from an ugly angle.
For this fragile team, it doesn’t take much to check out, and check out they did.
Now, why Desjardins would call this a “must” game, then start his backup is almost as strange as the goals that beat the goalie. If this game was so important, why was Ryan Miller sitting on the bench?
Of course, any attention on the goalies takes away from the real problems here. The Canucks are slow. Their breakouts are predictable and sloppy, which is not a good combination.
The Sedins’ hot streak was bound to come to an end, and when it did Saturday, there was nothing.
The team didn’t play defence. The forwards barely even threatened. And the tough guy, Derek Dorsett, fought Zac Rinaldo of all guys, when all this town cares about is getting a piece of Brad Marchand.
Instead, Marchand scored the opener before the game was three minutes old.
And that was the game, folks. Thanks for coming out.
Before the game, you could get a ticket into the building for $25. You could get lower bowl seats for $40.
All the Canucks can do is hope this was the low point of the season.
If it wasn’t, this is going to be a long, long year.