MARKSTROM SHUTS DOOR ON THE AVS
Netminder stops 29 of 30 shots, delivering first Canucks victory in five games. Vancouver goaltender’s record is now 9-5-4, with a .925 save percentage
— As far as goalie controversies go, this one doesn’t measure up to its predecessors but, to paraphrase the Tommy Lee Jones line from No Country For Old Men, it will do until a real one comes along.
On Tuesday, goalie Jacob Markstrom stepped in for a reeling team in front of the Canucks’ mothers and stopped 29 of 30 shots, delivering the first Canucks win in five games, which, coincidentally, was the last time Markstrom took the net.
On the season, the Swedish keeper is now 9-5-4 with a .925 save percentage and a 2.30 GAA, all of which eclipses Ryan Miller’s numbers by a considerable margin. Over his last six games, Markstrom is also 5-0-1 with a .937 save percentage, all of which suggests the Canucks might rethink their goaltending rotation.
Right, Willie Desjardins?
“The plan was to get (Markstrom) in more than we had early and we’ll stick with that,” said the Canucks head coach shortly after his team’s 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche. “Normally that would have been Miller’s game and he would have got three or four (starts, coming out of the all-star break) before Markstrom went in.”
So who’ll get the start Wednesday night in Phoenix? “We’ll see.” We’ll be watching. Against the A vs, Mark st rom opened with a strong, 10-save first period that included two 5-on-3 power plays for the home team. Francois Beauchemin opened the scoring early in the second period, but Markstrom would shut the door the rest of the way.
“This was a tough night,” said Desjardins. “He (Markstrom) had (18) days off and for him to come up with this effort was outstanding.”
“I feel good, but it’s all about the team,” said Markstrom.
Still, this is a situation worth monitoring. Lost in the larger Canucks’ youth movement is Markstrom, the 26-year-old goalie with the massive upside who’s never established himself as a No. 1 in this league. Admittedly, this season’s sample size is small, but it also represents his longest sustained streak of success in the NHL, raising the question: Has he arrived?
“I think he has to be closer than he’s ever been,” Desjardins admitted. “He’s had one so-so start this season and that’s pretty good. It’s tough to be there every night, but he’s come up with a big effort every night.”
“Everyday is a workday and you’ve got to put in the time,” Markstrom said. “I come to work everyday (with Canucks goalie coach Rollie Melanson). I’ve got to come in everyday and try to get better.”
So far, the work is working.