FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Stop the self-inflicted wounds
A 3-2 loss in Edmonton on Thursday exposed what has been a sore point all season: self-inflicted wounds. The Canucks dug a three-goal hole with a series of miscues that allowed Alex Chiasson, Zack Kassian and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to score easy goals. The struggling Derrick Pouliot was stripped of the puck behind the net by Sam Gagner to allow an untouched Chiasson to open scoring. Tyler Motte had a backchecking edge on Kassian, but was shoved aside to allow the winger to tap in a Connor McDavid feed. And Nugent-Hopkins was left alone in the slot by a trailing Loui Eriksson to make it 3-0 in the first minute of the second period. The Canucks have fallen behind in eight of their last 10 games and are 13-12-9 in one-goal games.
2. Give Markstrom more help
Jacob Markstrom will need more than run support Saturday. The beleaguered starter is easily the club’s most valuable player for consistently demonstrating improved physical and mental sharpness, especially since December when he started the month with six-straight starts to fuel a .915 save percentage. But he can’t be facing a shooting gallery with a free-fly zone in the slot. The Canucks had but 12 shot blocks Thursday because they were chasing the Oilers. Edmonton had 25 blocks because getting into shooting position to block shots and not chasing the game was a priority.
3. Selfish Pettersson, more Boeser bite
Elias Pettersson had three shots and seven attempts Thursday. This is progress for the Calder Trophy favourite, who hasn’t scored in nine games and has but one goal in his last 13. He prides himself on being a prime-time playmaker, but the centre can’t pass up scoring chances to look for a linemate. He needs to score to restore confidence in the tighter-checking second half. Boeser had three shots and seven attempts against the Oilers, but hasn’t scored in eight games and has but two goals in his last dozen. He needs to understand that offence comes from good defence and he can’t be lax in that area.
4. Keep on letting Leivo loose
Vegas sports a second line that would be a first line on a lot of clubs. Paul Stastny, Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone were all playing elsewhere last season and so was Josh Leivo. The Canucks winger had six shots and eight attempts Thursday and whether he’s playing the left or right side, the restricted free agent is looking like a good get in the December swap for Michael Carcone. He has nine goals in 36 games with the Canucks — a 21goal pace over a full season — and is quick enough, good on the walls and plays in traffic.
5. Get to Fleury in a hurry
Marc-Andre Fleury is the smiling assassin. After a slow start, the always-jovial stopper leads the league in wins (32) and shutouts (8) and is 10th in goals-against average (2.49). Getting to him means getting to the top of the crease. If you don’t take away his eyes by setting screens — it’s been an ongoing problem for the Canucks against elite goalies — his cat-like quickness is going to get to shots.