CanucksArmy Post-Game: A True Second Half of a Back-to-Back

6 years ago

I think my title sums this one up perfectly. In the infinite wisdom of the NHL, two teams coming back from vacation the night before (Us: Edmonton, Them: Calgary), playing in the second game of a back to back. On top of that, the Jets played earlier on Hockey Day in Canada, where the Canucks were in Edmonton late. The hockey was sluggish, dare I say even boring, as expected.

(A quick pinch hit here from myself, doing the wrap-up for you fine folks at CA)

First Period:

Game started out with a Byfuglien penalty. The Canucks get a couple of shots on net, but a strong PK by the Jets to kick us off.

It’s a slow game to get going, but as a person who has now watched two Canucks games in a row, Brock Boeser is an absolute stud. (I know, obviously Dan)

Eight minutes in the Canucks took their first penalty and although killing it off, the Jets power play is looking good tonight.

At the 11:45 mark, Wheeler slips behind the net and sets up ~~Alex Ovechkin~~ Patrik Laine from his office. Nilsson barely had time to get set and Tanev was barely able to get his neck turned. Making this the fourth time in a row, and fifth game in the last six that the Canucks have allowed the first goal.

This game was slow. It’s a running theme through things.

AFTER THE 1ST

Shots: Canucks 10 — Jets 15

Goals: Canucks 0 — Jets 1

Second Period:

All watching this game are Boeser:

See what I mean?

The Canucks have gotten a bit of a second wind here and they just couldn’t seem to turn one chance into two or more at a time. Something the Jets have worked at improving on this year.

Nilsson was forced to make some great saves in this stanza, but Hellebuyck was as well. The two netminders seem to be the two most into the game in this one.

AFTER THE 2ND

Shots: Canucks 21 — Jets 28

Goals: Canucks 0 — Jets 1

Third Period:

A slow game (quick check on how many times I have said slow game) in general.. for a team (the Canucks) coming back in the third, the push, although there, definitely didn’t feel huge. Likely a result of the back to back?

A break-away for Granlund mid-period, and out comes Hellebuyck to stop that in an aggressive move to disrupt. That almost becomes his undoing at Sutter has a rebound shot at the wide open net and misses just wide.

Definitely the best chance of the third for the Canucks.

In a game where the refs largely let the guys play, Sedin takes this penalty on Wheeler, and I am confused as to what really was the issue here:

Thankfully, the Canucks PK stands tall.

With a minute and a half left in the third, the Canucks Sutter is hauled down by Kyle Connor. The Canucks have a good setup, but with one missed shot and then three blocked shots in the final minutes, Hellebuyck keeps the Jets solid and finishes off the shutout.

FINAL STATS

Shots: Canucks 29 — Jets 36

Goals: Canucks 0 — Jets 1

The Wrap

Even with the return of Bo Horvat (he played 19:05 in his first game back from injury) the Canucks were just unable to beat the Jets for even just one. Anders Nilsson deserved better

by a long shot. The reality of the NHL is some nights you just come up against a goalie that is going to shut you down. The Jets offense has slowed down as of late, but their goal tending shows no signs of coming down to earth. It is what it is. The hope going forward is that as the Canucks *knocks on wood* get healthier, the effort and skill will elevate.