Slow start to compact season creates worry for Canucks
Critical adjustments in special teams needed to put team on path to playoffs
J.T. Miller believes the Vancouver Canucks can ice the NHL's best power play.
Braden Holtby believes the club can also become the league's best penalty kill.
You have to love the enthusiasm in the proven Miller and the optimism in the newcomer Holtby.
History will side with Miller because the COVID -19 compromised winger, who has been cleared and practised Sunday, is a key cog that drove the power play to a fourth-overall ranking last season.
History won't be as kind to Holtby because the penalty kill has been a constant pain by operating in mid-pack proficiency for too many years.
The Canucks haven't come close to hitting the daily double since 2010-11 when the Stanley Cup finalists were first in power play percentage (24.3) and tied for second on the penalty kill (85.6). The penalty kill was also second in 2014-15 (85.7) but only 16th last season (80.5).
Normally, it would be too early to place special teams under the microscope — especially with no exhibition games — because in the ebb and flow of any season, they're going to have productive and pathetic nights. Especially early.
However, a compacted 56-game season that has the Canucks off to a rusty 1-2-0 start with an 0-for11 power play and 64.3 per cent penalty kill, is cause for concern. A prolonged losing streak in the North Division is a death warrant to kill post-season aspirations.
Bo Horvat led the Canucks with a dozen power play goals last season and was tied for sixth overall.
Whether the captain was in the slot bumper position, or a downlow, goal-line presence, he benefited from Quinn Hughes using smarts and slick passing. And aside from one-time releases from Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser in their shooting spots at opposing faceoff dots, the ability of Miller to find Horvat in the bumper spot was a game-breaker.
“He sees the ice really well and is good at finding me in that high slot area, but with the uncertainty of his return, we have (had) to figure out a way to get it done without him,” Horvat said Saturday following a 3-0 loss in Calgary. “We have to step up, including myself.”
Without Miller, there has been hesitancy and congestion. Rookie Nils Hoglander tried to quickly learn the bumper and down-low positioning in place of Miller. And Pettersson has often failed to find Boeser with cross-ice feeds through skates and sticks, but has also hit posts and broken sticks with his releases.
“When things aren't working, you have to do other things that are going to change the game and not look for the perfect play,” added Horvat. “We have to play desperate. It's as close to the playoffs as you're going to get with these mini series, so we have to be ready to respond.”
Tonight in Calgary, adjustments on the power play and penalty kill will be critical. Chris Tanev blocked eight shots and Jacob Markstrom turned aside 32 shots on Saturday at the Saddledome. The Canucks also failed to capitalize on a 5-on3 advantage for 1:22 while trailing 1-0. They would finish at 0-for-4 with seven shots.
“We're going to do whatever we can to get back to the level of last year,” said Hughes. “I can remember us going four games without scoring on the power play and scoring five (in Nashville). We have to keep positive and keep working on it and get back to the simple things.”
In the past, the power play was often plodding, passive and predictable. Now, it's packed with potential because of speed, movement, shot selection and net presence. But it hasn't happened yet.
“They're on the outside a little bit,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “You have to get pucks to the net and be around — especially if it's not going good. We're a little stagnant and not moving a lot and not getting shots through. That's a bad combination.”
The penalty kill is just as confusing.
Puck possession shouldn't be a problem because the Canucks have a beast in the circle in Jay Beagle, but puck pursuit and defending are concerning. Beagle was second in penalty kill faceoff wins last season and had the third-best overall win percentage at 59.1. Yet, the Canucks gave up three power play goals Saturday.
“We're going to go to work and find ways to be a positive difference,” said Holtby. “It's early, but you can't use that as an excuse too much. We played a little tight (Saturday) and we just need to loosen up.”
Holtby backstopped the Washington Capitals to the NHL's second-best penalty kill in 2015-16 with an 85.1 percentage, so the Vezina Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion knows what has to go right.
“It's repetition and knowing who is where,” he stressed. “It's getting to know your D-men, how they block shots and who goes down on one knee and who doesn't. These are things you develop over time.
“If you look at us on paper, there's no reason why we can't be the best penalty killing team in the league.”
If you look at us on paper, there's no reason why we can't be the best penalty killing team in the league.