Canucks defeat the Calgary Flames at home 3-1

Stats

Quick Hits

• The Canucks can’t keep Jake Virtanen off their opening night lineup. It’s not an option. They need his speed. They need his shot. They definitely need his physical edge, if he’s willing to bring it again, and so far he hasn’t been shy about that. They need his defensive play and effort? Yeah, they need that too! Virtanen’s going to garner a lot of attention with his goal tonight and the shot that caught iron off the Flames’ post that could have just easily been his second of the night, and rightfully so. He doesn’t just have a good shot anymore; he’s actually putting himself in prime position to use it and give himself chances to score. I think what’s going to force the Canucks hand, though, is his defensive play. There was a great play away from the puck to clean up a failed Alex Biega clearing attempt that led to his goal.
• Alexander Burmistrov, who was on Virtanen’s line, quietly had himself a hell of a night. Canucks head coach Travis Green used Burmistrov’s line primarily in a defensive role, and the Russian pivot was able to use his speed and combativeness in puck battles to help keep his team above water when he was on the ice. In the last minute, with the Flames net empty, it was Burmistrov, and his line, who were sent out to finish the game. And Burmistrov was a warrior below the hashmarks on that shift, making sure the Flames couldn’t get so much as a decent chance on net.
• One player who wasn’t getting the bounces tonight? Yeah, that would probably be Alex Biega. The Bulldog couldn’t complete a pass to save his life for most of the game and just seemed to be chasing play throughout the entire game. I know he led the team in Corsi for percentage, but I’m going to wave my small sample size veto. This was not a good night for Biega. I expect he’ll be a part of the next wave of cuts.
• It seems like Scottie Upshall has played his last game in a Canucks uniform. Upshall was a late scratch, and Sportnet’s Irfan Gaffar reported that the St. Louis Blues signed the veteran winger to a one-year contract for just above the veteran minimum. In almost any other year, the Canucks could use a player like Upshall. He has genuine utility in a fourth line role. The Blues, who are ravaged by injuries and weak on the wing, probably need him more this season, though. Credit to the Canucks. As far as professional tryouts go, Upshall was a worthwhile gamble.

• How’s this for a break from the company line? I thought Brock Boeser was just okay tonight. There were a couple good passing plays, and even the odd threatening shot, but for the most part, this wasn’t his strongest effort. You know what? That’s alright. It’s the pre-season. One couldn’t expect him to keep scoring a goal a game right to the end. If I’m a Canucks fan, I’d say the fact that him looking human for a game is noteworthy is a positive, though. I still think he’s making this team.
• How about Darren Archibald? Tonight’s breakaway wasn’t his first of the pre-season. If memory serves, he had one in the Canucks’ last home game, too. Luckily for Archibald, he made no mistake this time around. I wonder if it’s going to be his last goal of this training camp, though. The Canucks should make another round of cuts at some point tomorrow, and one has to think the Archibald story is nearing its end. You know what, though? I think he deserves credit for lasting as long as he has on an AHL contract. Archibald deserves his due of credit.