Postgame: Senators Score Six Unanswered, Win 6-2
4 years ago
The Canucks played their seventh of eight preseason games against the visiting Ottawa Senators, dropping an eventful matchup and bringing their record to 4-3-0 in the exhibition games. While the Canucks controlled gameplay and outshot the Sens, they weren’t able to beat Craig Anderson after their two first period goals. After giving up two early goals, the Sens scored five straight, effectively beating the home team into submission.
The Canucks iced the following lineup, which showcased more of the familiar duos of Horvat – Miller, Schaller – Beagle, Benn – Stecher, and Hughes – Tanev. Demko got his second start tonight and played the full 60 in what will likely be his last preseason game. Goldobin started on the fourth line centered by Sutter, but did take shifts with Horvat a couple of times and played some time on the powerplay.
The Senators dressed a competitive forward group that includes roughly 10 forwards that we could see from them come opening night. There were rumblings of Erik Brannstrom making the team with Christian Wolanin’s injury, so this game was important for him. Craig Anderson went the distance as Marcus Hogberg backed him up.
Highlights
Statistics
The Canucks did well to control possession and amass 46 shots but weren’t able to translate them into goals.
Game Notes
- This isn’t news, but Hughes’ skating and passing abilities are so good. He really stood out and he uses his skating to get him out of dangerous positions like no player we have ever seen in a Canucks uniform. Hughes also managed to draw a tripping penalty while taking Filip Chlapik wide in the Sens zone.
- Gaudette and Baertchi connecting on two nice goals off of Senator turnovers and coming away with a goal each. Gaudette has now scored 4 goals in 5 preseason games.
- Zack MacEwan showed flashes of what he can bring with 4 hits, good pressure on the forecheck and a fight against Mark Borowiecki.
- Thatcher Demko had a tough night allowing 6 goals on 29 shots for a 0.793 SV%. He was on the bad end of a few turnovers initially, but never looked comfortable. He played the puck a fair bit as well and bobble it once.
- Horvat and Miller had 12 shots combined. Miller had 7 of them.
- Vancouver went 0 for 4 on the man advantage and gave up a short-handed goal off an ugly Horvat turnover that led to a Sens breakaway.
- Craig Anderson was busy stopping 44 of the 46 shots that came his way.
Top Performers
- Gaudette looked comfortable and again, like a man on a mission finishing with a goal and an assist. He continued to make those who play with him better by doing so with Baertschi.
- As someone who isn’t sure where he’ll slot in the lineup, Baertschi made a case for himself to be higher up in future lineups with his performance tonight, in which he came away with a goal and an assist.
- MacEwan, Goldobin, and Graovac all showed flashes throughout the game that were noticeable but didn’t contribute anything significant on the scoresheet. Goldobin’s passing stood out, but there were also a couple of forgettable decisions with the puck that extended shifts or resulted in turnovers.
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