INCONSISTENCY IS THE PROBLEM
Canucks must solve issues before playoff hopes fade
A nice win over the Dallas Stars last Sunday, a loss in a game they deserved to win on Tuesday and then a debacle in Denver on Thursday.
The gears of the Canucks' motor keep slipping. What's going to come next?
Here's a look at the week to come:
THE STORY
Thursday's devastating loss has everyone reeling. Whatever bright light people might think they saw on Sunday feels like a mirage. You think the team is better than its 5-7-2 record, but it's also starting to become hard to say how. The Canucks can't score and they can't kill penalties. They've won just three times in regulation.
They're 26th in the NHL in goals-scored-per-game. They've scored as many goals — five — in the first period as Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane has on his own.
They'll probably improve their offensive record, just on regression alone, as they're shooting just 7.8 per cent on the season. But they're not missing a stack of goals on shooting percentage: they're just 1.5 per cent off the league average.
They're 19th in goals against per game.
Their goalies have posted a .903 save percentage, good for just 22nd in the league. That's a number driven heavily by their woeful PK. They've stopped just 62.9 per cent of their opponents' chances.
In contrast, at even strength the Canucks' goalies have posted a .936 save percentage, good for eighth in the league.
All this inconsistency has eyes turning toward coaching, management and ownership: Can head coach Travis Green and his staff get the team playing to a level they believe it should be at? Or even before that, is the roster that general manager Jim Benning has assembled, following the influence of owner Francesco Aquilini, actually good enough to compete with the likes of Edmonton, Vegas and Calgary in the Pacific Division, let alone keep pace with the three resurgent squads in California and the expansion Seattle Kraken?
According to Hockeyviz.com, the Canucks are on course to finish the season with about 85 points, about seven points back of the 92-point playoff barrier.
To get there, the Canucks are going to need the equivalent of 40 wins from the 68 games still to be played. That's not an impossible pace but it's clear they need to start stringing some wins together.
THE OPPONENTS
Saturday, the Canucks are in Vegas. They've won in Sin City only once, a 3-2 shootout win three years ago. Now, the Golden Knights haven't been playing like the strong Pacific Division contenders they're considered to be: They're bleeding quality chances against.
But their offence is also roaring along, so at least they can survive playing run-and-gun.
Sunday, the Canucks jet to Anaheim to face the Ducks, who of course stole one last Tuesday at Rogers Arena. The Ducks beat the Seattle Kraken 7-4 in Seattle on Thursday, so they're feeling confident anyway.
Tucker Poolman was suspended for both weekend games Friday after being assessed a match penalty in Thursday's game for hitting Avalanche forward Kiefer Sherwood in the head with his stick. Even if he hasn't played well, he's played a lot, so filling his role will be a big challenge.
The Canucks recalled Madison Bowey on Friday, giving them an option beyond Kyle Burroughs — and perhaps Brad Hunt — to play on the right side.
Next Wednesday, the Canucks host the Colorado Avalanche. Surely the Canucks can avoid a throttling at home?
STOCK RISING
Nils Höglander: After starting the season goalless in 10 games, he has now scored twice in four. One of the Canucks' most dependable two-way forwards, he's been a steady light in their sea of chaos.
STOCK FALLING
Poolman: He's had some really boneheaded moments with the puck, and then on Thursday he whacked Avalanche forward Sherwood in the head with his stick. For a player who is supposed to be steady, calm and quiet, that hasn't been the case at all.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
“Bench Pettersson for a game. Would that be beneficial for him and the team?” — Emilia B., Vancouver
As poorly as Elias Pettersson has played on the whole, it's hard to see how the old-school idea of putting him in the rafters to think about his play will really shake him out of this funk. It's weird to say, given how poor he was Thursday in Denver, but on the whole he's been getting better. Don't forget he scored the tying goal Tuesday.
What the Canucks need from their No. 1 centre is consistency. Vancouver has been playing all right with him on the ice, but according to Hockeyviz.com, his impact on the Canucks actually finishing their chances has been only league-average.
If the Canucks get their power play on track, it stands to reason Pettersson will be a big factor.