When the third coach in just over a year questions the compete of this group, that’s saying something.

In a 5-2 loss that featured yet another blown multi-goal lead, the Vancouver Canucks simply looked lifeless against the Seattle Kraken. Yes, it featured a very nice goal from Elias Pettersson, but even when the home team was up 2-0, they simply just did not look up to playing that night. The Kraken were easily the better team and proved as much by storming back from a two-goal deficit to win on the road. Vancouver simply was not good enough to win last night.

Here’s the loss, by the numbers.

As always, you can find our glossary guide of advanced stats here.

Looking at this game flow, it becomes clear that Seattle was able to control the large majority of the game at even strength. The only parts where the Canucks saw a spike in their puck possession and expected goals came on the power play to end the first period and the 5-on-3 powerplay early in the second. Other than that, the trendlines are clear as to which was the flow of the play was trending in 5v5 situations.

In all, the only period that the Canucks saw a positive CF% was the third period (61.90), by which point the Kraken were buckling down to secure their two-goal advantage. Not much really happened all game in a low-event affair, but the second period was what really pushed Seattle over the top. They scored three times while posting 58.54 CF%, 72.73 HDCF%, and 71.43 xGF%.

With Seattle out-shooting Vancouver 28-18, it makes sense to see that their end of the heat map looks more spread out. What should be a little surprising is that the Canucks had a similar concentration of high-danger chances from the low slot area. Both teams had an even split, 11-11 in HDCF, which honestly didn’t seem that way initially from the eye test. Regardless, it would show that the teams were generally unable to create too many great scoring chances for themselves through the duration of the game. The majority of Seattle’s high-danger chances came in the second period (8) while Vancouver had a relatively even distribution throughout the periods. Interestingly, the Kraken didn’t record a single high-danger chance in the third period and only managed 3 scoring chances.

Corsi Champ: As the title suggested, Brock Boeser led the Canucks last night with a 77.14 CF%. Stunningly, that number was a 49.07 CF% rel above the team average, suggesting that when Boeser was on the ice, Vancouver had possession of the puck nearly 50% more than when he was off. Unfortunately it didn’t amount to much offence, but Boeser also helped put 22 unblocked shot attempts toward the Kraken goal while only giving 8 against.

Corsi Chump: This is what happens when Nils Åman goes up against Matty Beniers. Yes, Åman pocketed an assist, but was also the worst Corsi man for the Canucks with a 20.00 CF%, good enough for a -30.00 CF% rel. The Swede had the third-worst xGF (0.08) and the second-worst xGF% (8.01), giving an idea of the type of impact that he had over the course of the game. With relatively even deployment in all zones, Åman got shelled to the tune of a 1-6 scoring chance differential and a 0-3 high-danger chance disparity.

xGF: Brock Boeser features here too by leading the Canucks in both xGF (1.85) and xGF% (79.49). He was on ice for a massive 17-3 scoring chance lead, while upping that to a 9-0 HDCF difference. Boeser might not be the immediate play-driver on his line, but there shouldn’t be any doubt about him being a smart player and getting the metrics that he’s producing. It’s not exactly an accident that he ends up at the right place at the right time, but the issue remains about burying the chances that he’s getting.

GSAx: Colin Delia didn’t exactly inspire confidence last night. With Demko’s return, he’s been able to be in a more fitting role as the sparsely-used backup netminder, finding some success in the games that he’s featured in. Last night was not one of those times, as an xGF of 2.85 against means that Delia posted a -1.15 GSAx against Seattle. Of the four goals that he gave up, 2 were high-danger, 1 was middle-danger, and 1 was low-danger. Overall, it just wasn’t the best, though the players in front of Delia didn’t do their goaltender that many favours.

There really wasn’t anything interesting to this game. Much of the same culprits performed as advertised, while the depth of the team let it down again. They looked flat, unenergized, and unengaged in a season that was lost within the first 10 games that were played. The only consolation for Canuck fans now is the appeal of watching the NCAA free agents making their debuts as the season winds down, with Ohio State Buckeye Cole McWard expected to slot into the lineup in the near future. Perhaps the NHL audition season can lead some some standouts making a name for themselves.

Vancouver welcomes the Chicago Blackhawks into Rogers Arena for a clash tomorrow night.