CanucksArmy Postgame: Canucks start and finish strong, dismantling the Panthers 7-2
4 years ago
The Canucks hosted the Panthers on a quiet Monday before they get set to embark on a California road trip. Without hesitation, the Canucks jumped all over Florida, who were playing their second of a back to back.
The action came early and often for the home team as they scored three unanswered goals from the bottom three lines and unlike Friday, never looked back. The Canucks looked determined not make the same mistake twice and did a great job of stifling the Panthers’ attempts to gain any sort of momentum.
After another performance that frequently had the crowd at Rogers Arena up on their feet, the Canucks wrap up their brief homestand feeling comfortable about their game.
Lines
The lines once again featured Virtanen in the top six and Ferland on the third line. The injection of Loui Eriksson onto the 4th line was the most notable lineup change as Tyler Motte will be out for some time with a broken bone in his foot. Pairings on the back end remained the same as Demko got his 4th start of the season.
Highlights
Stats
Game Notes
- The Canucks were off to their quickest start yet as they chased Sam Montembault with three goals before the game was 7 minutes old. However, Montembault did come back out to start the 2nd. The first period ended with the Canucks scoring 5 even-strength goals and winning the shot battle 15-8.
- Scoring looked to be contagious throughout the lineup with each of the first four goals all coming from separate lines, resulting in 12 different names on the scoresheet.
- Even with Motte out, the 4th line kept on rolling with new guy Loui Eriksson. Schaller scored another while Beagle and Eriksson added the helpers.
- The Canucks looked quite good in transition, especially early on. They forced an inordinate amount of breakups and dump ins for the Panthers and seemed to have their way as they moved the puck up the ice for themselves, executing quick and accurate passes to set up on the fly shots.
- The Canucks’ 4th best PK coming into this game, which has been a strength this season, took a bit of a hit as the Panthers went 1/2 with the man advantage. On the other side of the special teams battle, the Canucks went 0/2 on the powerplay.
- With Boeser scoring the 7th Canuck goal of the night, every forward made it onto the scoresheet.
Top Performers
- JT Miller finished the night with two goals, one of which was the 100th of his career, and once again looked very comfortable on the top line that dominated the possession battle.
- Pettersson made his mark on another game with three assists. He somewhat quietly now has 14 points in 11 games on the season.
- Ferland showed great vision on his two primary assists, despite logging 5:19 in ice time through the first two periods. His lack of ice time continues to be a bit of a question mark, especially considering the great plays he was making early on in this one. He did see a lot more ice in the 3rd, bringing his total up to 11:15 on the night, but he was still the low man in that regard.
- Demko was very steady once again stopping 29 of 31 shots. The Canucks dominant play meant that he didn’t have to be spectacular, but he gave them what they needed. With the win, his personal record on the year improves to 3-1-0.
Recent articles from Michael Wagar
