The Vancouver Canucks started their first round series against the Nashville Predators with a bang when Pius Suter and Dakota Joshua scored goals 12 seconds apart to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead and eventual 4-2 win. Rogers Arena was buzzing, the fans were excited, and Vancouver’s return to the postseason was off to an amazing start. Then, Tuesday came and the surprise announcement that Thatcher Demko was injured and out week-to-week.
Casey DeSmith was called into action for Game 2 and got victimized by an unfortunate deflection off former Canuck Anthony Beauvillier on the first shot he faced. Then, two quick goals in the second period by Filip Forsberg and Colton Sissons put his team into an insurmountable 3-0 hole. Nikita Zadorov got one back later in the period, but that’s as close as they would get as the Predators, on the backs of some good luck and a crazy amount of blocked shots, took it 4-1 heading to Music City for Game 3 later tonight.
While the series is now tied at one apiece, a few concerning trends have emerged from Games 1 and 2 that could give fans reason to worry about the Canucks’ playoff future beyond the first round.
Toothless Power Play
The Canucks’ power play has been a problem for a while now, and it hasn’t changed in the playoffs. So far, they have failed to score on six opportunities, including four in Game 2 when a goal could have shifted the momentum in their favour. In the playoffs, scoring on the power play is crucial and could mean the difference between moving on or being eliminated.
Related: Canucks News & Rumors: Demko, Pettersson & Tocchet
Yes, the Predators are blocking a ton of rubber, but the Canucks need to find a way to get their shots through when they are on the man advantage. Quick puck movement and getting shots off without hesitation should be the mantra moving forward. The Predators are probably in their heads after 44 blocks over Games 1 and 2, but they need to put that out of their mind and shoot quickly (and often) in Game 3 so that they don’t have time to get set for a block.
A better power play will most likely mean goals and points for the big offensive trio of Elias Pettersson, JT Miller and Brock Boeser, who finished the season with a combined 111 goals and 265 points. In the playoffs so far, they have a measly two assists – one by Miller and one by Boeser. Pettersson hasn’t recorded his first point yet and has only two shots on goal while recording an ugly minus-4 in the plus/minus…
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