Postgame: Canucks suffer preseason defeat to Kings in Salt Lake City
4 years ago
As the roster starts to take shape, there still remains a handful of preseason exhibition games that need to be completed before the Canucks open the season against the Oilers on Oct. 2.
On Saturday night, Vancouver and Los Angeles faced off in Salt Lake City, part of the second annual Salt Lake City Shootout event. It was an unfortunate result for the group of young Canucks, but losing 7-5 to the Kings still provided enough entertainment and highlights to make it worth it.
Some slick plays by Pettersson and Hughes led the Canucks to score five fairly impressive goals against Jack Campbell tonight. For the Canucks, it was a bit of defence and goaltending that gave up the seven goals against.
Those are some quintessential preseason mistakes and what could lose some meaningless games.
HIGHLIGHTS
GAME NOTES
- Tyler Graovac seemed to be everywhere on the ice tonight. He won’t necessarily have a forward spot in the lineup for the Canucks this season, but if he is able to impress enough, he could be the first call-up in case of any injury to the 12 forwards. He was able to score 24 goals and 50 points in 65 games for the Flames’ AHL affiliate last year, so he should have a solid season for Utica.
- Speaking of players making an impact this preseason and looking for a spot, Adam Gaudette has been able to score some goals as of late, including two tonight. Wherever he starts — Utica or Vancouver — he should be able to try and get an early jump in production and put up some numbers.
- The game seemed finished once the Kings were able to score their fifth goal, leading 5-2 in the middle of the third period. But goals from Tanner Pearson and Josh Leivo within seconds of each other, cut the lead to just a single goal. If anything, it could demonstrate having at least some modicum of depth on the offence this season. Ended up not meaning anything, but could be interesting.
- Quinn Hughes continued to perform and produce surrounded by NHL talent. The CanucksArmy top prospect will have a lot riding on him when it comes to generating offence from the blueline. With essentially only him, Troy Stecher, and Alex Edler able to get the puck up the ice, he should be able to increasingly see more of a responsibility on this team going forward in the season.
- If all games ended like this for the Canucks this season, at least every fan would be entertained.
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