Canucks' losing streak to Devils ends at dirty dozen
The Devils made them do it.
Maybe it was that long run of futility against New Jersey that motivated the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday at Rogers Arena. Maybe it was starting strong and smart to quiet the critics.
And maybe it was J.T Miller once again doing everything to drag his club into the fight with three assists — and captain Bo Horvat contributing two key goals and an assist — as leadership was the real story in a pivotal 6-3 victory over the speedy Devils.
It ended a sorry streak of a dozen straight losses to New Jersey, including a 7-2 no-show on Feb. 28 at The Prudential Center. And in not beating the Devils since a 2-0 triumph on home ice on Nov. 25, 2014, there was incentive on every level to finally get it done Tuesday and put a dagger in that long losing streak to New Jersey.
“I brought it up last game (in New Jersey) and where did it get me? I'm not bringing it up today,” Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau said following the morning skate. “They know it. It's fresh in everybody's mind.”
And so are the playoffs. Here's what we learned as Brad Hunt, Nils Hoglander, Tanner Pearson and Juho Lammikko also scored for the Canucks while Ryan Graves, Jack Hughes and Nathan Bastian replied for the Devils:
MILLER IS THE MAESTRO
When you're in the zone and playing with ample confidence, a game that's played at a dizzying pace can actually slow down. That's what Miller demonstrated to open scoring with a blend of patience and precision passing to extend his points streak to 13 games.
Instead of attempting to beat three defenders after crossing the blue-line — something he may have done in the past while struggling — the centre calmly spun back to regroup in the neutral zone. He then spotted Hunt speeding down the left wall and fed the blue-liner. Hunt picked the far corner on goalie Nico Daws from a sharp angle to open scoring.
Miller then assisted on Pearson's second-period goal and Horvat's in the third to push his points total during his hot streak to 27 points (8-19). He was also robbed by a pad save off a corner feed by Quinn Hughes, nearly converted a give-and-go with Tyler Myers and was stopped on a breakaway after taking a long Hughes laser pass and trying to go backhand to forehand on a deke.
He also intercepted a clearing attempt, spun and just shot wide.
“I'm playing with confidence for sure,” Miller said before puck drop. “It seems like every time you pass it, it goes in. I'm just trying to play my game and play my best and help us win. Nothing has changed for me. We don't have time to have bad starts anymore.”
QUICK-STRIKE OFFENCE
Locked in a 2-2 battle, the Canucks scored twice in a 17-second span of the second period to chase Daws, who allowed four goals on 21 shots and was replaced by Jon Gillie.
First it was Horvat hustling at his blue-line to anticipate an ill-advised back pass across the paint by Tomas Tatar. The captain sprung away and put one through Daws. Pearson then redirected a Myers slap pass. When Tyler Motte took a double minor for high-sticking late in the second period, the Canucks had a tenuous 4-3 lead. But early in the third, Horvat was sprung on a short-handed break by Hughes and snapped one high side. Lammikko capped scoring with a deft defection.
HOPE FOR HOGLANDER
There was visual first-period evidence that Hoglander can finish, and a curious photo at the bench to see if he got an assist from his best buddy.
A photographer caught an image of Hoglander quenching this thirst at the bench and his glove had the number 40 on the inside palm.
Was he using Elias Pettersson's gloves?
Or, was he saluting the centre who's sidelined day-to-day with an upper-body injury?
More importantly, it was Hoglander getting to the net to finish off a sequence for just his second goal in the last 26 games. He pounced on a rebound off a Horvat shot in the slot and it should be a measure of confidence for the sophomore.
OH BROTHER, THEY'RE GOOD
For the record, records run in the family.
Quinn Hughes has 13 points in his last 12 games and is closing in on the franchise mark for season scoring by a defenceman. Doug Lidster had 63 points (12-51) in the 1986-87 campaign.
Jack Hughes has 46 points and is on a run of 20 points in his last 13 games. He took a long flip pass in the second period for a breakaway to make it 2-2.
He also reached the 40-point plateau in 38 games. He is second player age 20 or younger in franchise history to accomplish the feat. Paul Gardner did it in 35 games in 1976-77.