Third-period comeback topples the Maple Leafs
Winger has a goal, two assists as Vancouver scores three in the third period to knock off the Leafs
Can an MVP have a quiet season? In the midst of all the struggles the Vancouver Canucks have faced this season, Brock Boeser has been a nearly constant positive.
Even while his centreman, Elias Pettersson, was struggling in the early going, Boeser was flying. So too was J.T. Miller, normally Pettersson's other winger who was forced into the middle in the Alien's absence.
Saturday night at Rogers Arena, Boeser was at his scoring best, leading the Canucks to a 4-2 come-from-behind win over the visiting Maple Leafs.
The Canucks have played the best team in the Scotia North Division hard in recent days. Thursday's win was perhaps somewhat about the visitors being worn out after playing three games in four nights, but Saturday's victory was very much about the Canucks sticking with it.
They got an early goal but didn't play great in the first period. They played well in the second but fell behind.
Their third period started slowly, but they took their chances when they came and skated away winners, a positive turn in what's been a difficult season to date.
“For us to do it against a team like that definitely gives our team confidence,” Canucks captain Bo Horvat said after the game. It was the first time this season the Canucks won when trailing going into the third period.
The Leafs got goals from John Tavares and Jimmy Vesey, while Boeser had the Canucks' opening goal, then had assists on the Canucks' third-period goals by Horvat and J.T. Miller (who also had two assists). Nils Höglander scored the Canucks' fourth goal of the game on a laser to
the top corner with just over three minutes left in the game.
Here's what we learned ...
PERFECT PLAY
Brock Boeser's role in his first-period power-play goal was the easy part — he just had to keep his stick on the ice and skate for the back post.
The hard work came before, in the breakout pass from Quinn Hughes to Horvat, and then in the zone entry created by Horvat's backhanded lateral pass to Miller.
It all happened with great speed and caught the Leafs' penalty killers flat-footed, exactly what the Canucks' power play wants to make happen.
Miller said after the game they'd noticed that Toronto had been putting a lot of pressure on the drop-pass entry sequence the Canucks usually use, so they created a different
option, which we saw play out perfectly on the opening goal.
“We had to change it up,” he said.
On their third-period power play — which came after William Nylander flipped the puck over the glass by accident — Horvat tipped in a Boeser point shot. The Canucks' first power-play unit was doing what it does best with lots of player and puck movement.
Boeser's shot was a somewhat harmless floater from the point, but both Horvat and Tanner Pearson were in front, creating havoc for Leafs goalie Frederick Andersen to see through.
Horvat got his stick on the puck, changing its course enough that it sailed between Andersen's arm and his body.
“I think our power play, we definitely know we could have been difference makers,” Boeser said after the game.
“Could have got some more points for our team.”
It's just the third time the Canucks have scored more than one power-play goal in a game this season. They also lit the power-play lamp more than once in a 6-5 shootout loss to Montreal Jan. 20 and again in a 4-3 overtime loss to Calgary Feb. 15.
A LITTLE LUCK
The Canucks' first period at five-on-five wasn't good. Their second period was much better and they probably deserved better than to fall behind on Vesey's goal.
But their third goal made up for that. They were struggling to match Toronto's pace in the early stages of the third period, but the Horvat goal evened things up and, moments later, a lucky bounce finally came their way.
Boeser carried the puck into the zone with authority, created space for a shot that deflected off T.J. Brodie's stick — which also broke in the process — and onto Miller's stick, who fired the puck into the open net with Andersen scrambling across in desperation.
That's the kind of bounce the Canucks have rarely seen this season.
Miller said it was a nice change.
“It's nice to get a bounce; when we're playing well, it's nice to get a bounce onto your stick in the slot,” he said.
BIG GAME, BIG GOALIE
Demko made 37 saves on the night but it was a little surprising he didn't make 38, given the angle Tavares was shooting from.
Demko was looking at Tavares, but the Leafs captain
fooled him with a half-slap shot, picking the top corner to tie up the game late in the first period.
The rest of the goalie's night was outstanding, especially early in the third period when he held the fort as Toronto got nine shots in the first six minutes.
Demko played down his role, despite it being all about his efforts.
“I was just trying to keep the game within one. I knew our guys were going to give a good push,” he said.
“He was phenomenal again tonight ... he's stepped up in a big way,” Horvat said. “I'm happy we've scored enough goals to help him out.”
The Canucks will need more like these to keep their faint playoffs hopes alive.
EDLER'S 900TH
No Canucks defenceman has played more games in Vancouver colours than Alex Edler.
He hit 900 NHL games on Saturday, a testament to longevity, even if he's had to battle injuries nearly every season.
His contract is up at the end of the season, but given how well he continues to play in his own end, you do wonder if he'll have a dilemma in the summer.
Would he re-sign in Seattle? You've got to think that whoever is in charge of the Canucks in the summer will want to retain him.
Edler, by the way, is the 10th Swedish-born defencemen to hit 900 career games.