Canucks Army Postgame #54: Liquid Hot Megna
7 years ago
Time and time again, your 2016-17 Vancouver Canucks have played in a manner that allows people with varying opinions to fill their boots with their narratives. Tonight was no different, as some of the Canucks’ most maligned acquisitions combined for three goals, en route to a shutout victory over one of the league’s strongest teams. They also did so in a manner that can’t exactly be called “sustainable” over the long haul, with Ryan Miller bailing them out on multiple occasions.
But, let’s give credit where credit is due. The Sedins gave us a vintage performance, the powerplay got going, and Ryan Miller was full value in tonight’s win as the Canucks inched within 5 points of the second wildcard spot.
STATS
HIGHLIGHTS
GAME NOTES
- With Sven Baertschi out of the lineup, Reid Boucher drew in, slotting in on the Canucks’ fourth line with Michael Chaput and Jack Skille. He had a solid if unspectacular showing tonight, finishing +5 in even-strength corsi with two shots and the Canucks best chance of the first period, a slick wrister alone in front off a Ryan Murray turnover.
- The loss of Baertschi and insertion of Boucher into the lineup resulted in some line-juggling, with Markus Granlund bumped up to a line with Henrik and Daniel Sedin, leaving Loui Eriksson to play with Brandon Sutter and Jayson Megna. The move had the desired effect on the Canucks’ top line, as Granlund notched the assist on the Canucks’ first goal. It’s affect on the team’s second line left something to be desired, however, as that line finished an ugly 33% in shot-shares at even-strength.
- While Eriksson struggled at evens, he did net the Canucks’ second of the game on the powerplay. I think it’s no coincidence that the Canucks finally converted on the man advantage t when they adjusted their formation for a moment. Do you remember when we suggested that? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
- The Canucks’ skaters owe Ryan Miller a six-pack after tonight’s performance. He was the team’s MVP tonight, as he has been for the better part of the last couple of months. He stopped all 33 shots he faced, and had a few highlight-reel moments, including this one, sprawling to stop Brandon Dubinsky on his own rebound. He’d look awful good as insurance for a contender, don’t you think?
- Jayson “Liquid Hot” Megna scored tonight, which is pretty funny for those of us who just want to watch the world burn.
