Gritty playoff style effort pays off in win over B's
Tocchet's crew ramping up the intensity as they prepare for post-season battles
There's nothing like the playoffs.
Time and space are at a premium, every puck possession is met with physical resistance, and the pace of the game ramps up to warp speed.
The Vancouver Canucks possess key qualities that could lead to post-season prominence, but executing them on a nightly basis is a challenge if the NHL's dominant team is to maintain consistent structure, execution and resiliency.
And when they arrive in the second season, their first exposure will ensure that seeing and feeling is believing.
“You can talk about it, but never really fully understand it until you do it,” said Canucks defenceman Ian Cole, who won consecutive Stanley Cup titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. “You can always say it's the same game and nothing changes, but everything is faster and matters more. Not only do you need to be clean, it needs to be intense all the time. You can't sleepwalk through games. The only way is to do it and comprehend it.”
The Canucks were sleepy and slow in a listless 5-2 loss on Thursday in Seattle. But Saturday at Rogers Arena, they were fully engaged. A strong rally from a 2-0 deficit late in the third period produced an outstanding 3-2 overtime decision over the Boston Bruins.
The Canucks looked playoff ready. They delivered 45 crunching hits, including eight apiece by J.T. Miller and Noah Juulsen. They went after Brad Marchand, then targeted David Pastrnak. They took the Bruins out of their rhythm and made them play in their own zone. That's playoff hockey.
The resolve of Miller was massive and he set up the tying and winning goals.
“We're trying to find that identity that it's really hard to finish out games this time of year,” said Miller, whose three-assist night vaulted the centre into fifth in league scoring with 79 points (2950). “We're trying to embrace the hardness.”
The Canucks practised on Sunday with the current lines and defence pairings intact. Part of the process was to maintain symmetry by deploying four centres — Miller, Elias Pettersson, Elias Lindholm, Teddy Blueger — and drill down on systems to ensure better wall play and zone exits.
The importance of finally connecting on the power play Saturday in overtime to end a one-for-28 slide over the previous nine games wasn't lost on Rick Tocchet.
He knows the team's power play should be the hammer and the difference-maker and not a hindrance.
“Everybody knows we're a little tight,” the Canucks head coach said on Sunday. “We've just got to be able to handle the pressure. Power plays are usually just one or two plays on the attack, and when you get a couple of goals, other things seem to open up.
“You start to get looser. Your hands get looser. I just like to see a little bit more aggressiveness in taking pucks to the net. On Saturday, we went downhill.
“Miller took the shot, Brock (Boeser) was open on the backdoor and Petey (Pettersson) available if they (Bruins) overplayed something.
“Just a lot of aggressive mindsets on that goal.”
Here's a look at what awaits this week:
PENGUINS AT CANUCKS
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena
TV: SN Pacific
Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Maybe Pettersson 2.0 day?
Pettersson is tied for ninth in NHL scoring, but is a centre of attention with one goal in his last eight games and two in his last 10. The Penguins might be the perfect tonic for ramping up production. Pettersson had four points (2-2) including the overtime winner in a 4-3 triumph at Pittsburgh on Jan. 11.
Who to watch: Pens captain Sidney Crosby
The ageless Penguins captain is 36 and playing like he's 26 with 31 goals and 56 points. On an aging roster struggling to make the playoffs, he remains the catalyst. Never cheats the game. Always tough to defend down low. Passes are crisp and his shot still has zip.
KINGS AT CANUCKS
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena TV: SN Pacific Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Who are these SoCal guys?
The Kings are 6-2-0 since Jim Hiller replaced fired head coach Todd McLellan on an interim basis. They claimed a 3-2 shootout win over the Ducks on Saturday by getting to goalie John Gibson, who made 48 saves. The Kings hold down the first wild-card spot, but are being chased by four clubs. Who to watch: Winger Kevin Fiala
Has scored in three consecutive games and seven of his 16 goals have come on the power play. The Canucks went 2-2-0 against the Kings last season. They won 4-1 at home on Nov. 18, but lost 4-1 at Rogers Arena on April 2.
CANUCKS AT DUCKS
When: Sunday, 5 p.m.
Where: Honda Center TV: SN Pacific
Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Early aim at low-flying Ducks
Objects in rear-view mirror can be closer than you think. Classic trap game against the league's 30th-ranked club that wins only if standout puck stopper Gibson stands on his head. Canucks are scoring the second-most goals per game (3.63) and Ducks are allowing the third most (3.54).
Who to watch: Winger Frank Vatrano
Productive UFA on expiring US$3.65-million cap hit linked to Canucks in trade deadline rental speculation to add to top-six mix. Has 26 goals, including 10 on Anaheim's 19th-ranked power play, and two short-handed goals.