The Canucks lost every game they played this week, but they didn’t totally disappoint us. There was a strong goaltending performance, a surprising amount of Michael Chaput, and one really good puppy.
1. Phoebe Stecher:
My favourite member of the Canucks this week is Troy Stecher’s puppy, who is perfect and has never done anything wrong. She should be at every practice and every game.
2. Ryan Miller:
Ryan Miller had such a good game against the Pittsburgh Penguins that it doesn’t matter that he lost all three of his starts this week. Also, his son is adorable.
3. Troy Stecher:
Phoebe’s dad had a good week, too, scoring in the final minute to get the Canucks a point against the Islanders. Team Tank might hate the extra point, but everyone loves Troy Stecher goals.
4. Sven Baertschi:
John Tavares is the cause of a lot of highlight reel goals, and this one is definitely Sven Baertschi’s favourite.
5. Michael Chaput:
Michael Chaput was a goaltender interference call away from having a two-goal week, but one goal and significant time on the Sedin line isn’t too bad overall.
6. Reid Boucher:
He may not have won the coach over quite yet, but we believe in you, Reid Boucher.
7. Bo Horvat:
Bo Horvat only had one point this week, which is more than a lot of players on this team, but he’s Bo Horvat and we expect more from him. I’m looking for at least 3 points by next Sunday.
8. Alex Edler:
Alex Edler continues to play enormous minutes because his fellow defensemen are all younger, less healthy, or worse than him. Also, he took his shoes off before taking a photo with his guest, Tyrel. Kind of weird, but whatever.
9. Nikita Tryamkin:
Mump-free and as large as ever, Nikita Tryamkin continues to be one of the most entertaining Canucks simply by being himself.
10. Ben Hutton:
Ben Hutton was held pointless this week, but he is a good kid who loves the Screech Owls series. Any Screech Owls reference automatically gets you into the top-10.
11. Henrik and Daniel Sedin:
Neither twin did anything too interesting this week, but this would have been amazing:
12. Brandon Sutter:
One of many Canucks who is playing hurt (because they’re not out of the playoffs yet, and they might go on the most ridiculous winning streak ever and sneak into a wildcard spot, so every game is a must-win) Brandon Sutter is not thriving these days.
13. Luca Sbisa:
Luca Sbisa probably misses the ailing Chris Tanev, but at least Tryamkin brings out the giggles.
14. Philip Larsen:
Philip Larsen got some game action this week but more importantly, I learned that he has his own personal website. plarsen36.com has every ounce of Philip Larsen related content you could ever hope for. It even has a nice photo gallery – here he is holding some flowers:
15. Alex Biega:
Alex Biega got to play forward this week because everyone else got hurt and sick. He didn’t score, which led to this fun little stat:
16. Joseph Cramarossa:
Joe Cramarossa has yet to record a point for the Canucks, but he’s getting some opportunities to. Good luck, Joe.
17. Jayson Megna:
Willie Desjardins seems to see something in Jayson Megna that no one else in the entire world sees. He doesn’t seem to see this stuff, though:
18. Alex Grenier:
Alex Grenier made the Daniel-Henrik-Alexandre thing happen again, for like 3 seconds.
19. Richard Bachman:
Richard Bachman did not play this week, but he’s not in the ER with food poisoning, so that’s nice.
20. Derek Dorsett, Erik Gudbranson, Anton Rodin, Markus Granlund, Jacob Markstrom, Brendan Gaunce, Nikolay Goldobin, Loui Eriksson, Jack Skille, I probably forgot someone but I’m tired:
These guys are suffering some combination of upper body injuries, the mumps, lower body injuries, food poisoning, and the flu.
21. Chris Tanev:
Chris Tanev has likely been playing most of the season with a not-quite-healed high ankle sprain and he seems to have been hit the hardest by the mumps. This week, Tanev was poisoned (by food) so badly that he had to go to the ER. It’s been a rough year.