Unlike the Red Wings/Panthers game tonight, this game did not have any high profile actors in attendance though the Canucks did have an appearance from an American Beauty, as Chris Higgins made his return to the Canucks line-up. It was the second of a back-to-back, and they showed it. It wasn’t exactly a thriller, to say the least, but it happened and the 3-0 loss helps the Canucks move lower in the NHL standings if that’s your kinda thing. Let’s dive into the House of Cards that was this game. 

As I noted off the bat, Chris Higgins made his triumphant return to the Canucks line-up, as he was an emergency call-up from Utica due to the slew of injuries that are currently facing the team. Willie Desjardins showed his appreciation for it as well, by sending him out in the starting line-up. 

Everyone seemed to know who he was, unfortunately, Nikita Tryamkin didn’t get the same respect from the Hockey Night In Canada crew, as they called him Dimitri, not once but twice! 

Tryamkin was ready to make a real name for himself, though.

If I told you there was much more to be said about the first frame of this game, I’d be lying. It was fast moving, but there wasn’t much to be said about it. Ryan Miller faced 18 shots in the first period, though, which is a reflection of a tired team that is riddled with injuries, especially on the back-end. The Canucks defenceman tonight were a little inexperienced, save Dan Hamhuis.

The broadcast did make mention to the stellar seasons by Brock Boeser and Thatcher Demko as they continue their development in the NCAA, Ryan Biech and Jeremy Davis have been on top of this all season, and we strongly suggest their work for someone looking to dive more into the prospect pool of the Canucks.

Bo Horvat started off the 2nd period with some nice hands, but couldn’t close it out.

That wasn’t even the most prime scoring opportunity for the Canucks, either as Daniel Sedin seemed to be heading for an easy goal near the net, but Brian Elliot had other ideas for him.

Former St. Louis Blues legend Ryan Miller couldn’t hold the Canucks down any longer, as Canucks enemy Troy Brouwer opened the scoring for the Blues. It wasn’t quite fair for Miller, though.

He almost notched his 2nd of the game at the end of the period, but time ran out. Troy Brouwer must be a Cincinnati Basketball fan.

That was the extent of the excitement in the 2nd frame. Ben Hutton looked exhausted, along with a bunch of the Canucks as they neared the end of the period. 

Part way through the game, however, Kevin Woodley mentioned that the Canucks are unlikely to re-sign goalie coach Rollie Melanson, our JD Burke has you covered.

As I mentioned earlier, the Canucks defence had a tough night at the office tonight, and the Blues took advantage of it as well.

Daniel Sedin was one of the only bright spots of the Canucks tonight, as he accounted for a majority of their shots on goal in this game.

One of the other bright spots, as always as of late was Sven Baertschi, who was a major force on the ice tonight, as he seemed to always be there when any opportunity was presented. He continues to prove why he is part of the core of the Canucks future plans.

As we entered into the 2nd half of the 3rd period, the Canucks got a taste of the star talent that is Vladimir Tarasenko, as he extended the Blues lead to 2-0.

For good measure, the Blues finished off the game with an empty-netter off the stick of Jaden Schwartz.

Ryan Miller ended up facing upwards of 50 shots and had a really stellar effort all things considered. He had to be the best defencemen out there tonight, and he proved to be, they just couldn’t develop any offence.

It was a dismal effort from a squad that played last night in Edmonton. They lacked energy, and since the Blues hadn’t played since Wednesday night, they were full of it. 

The defence looked tired out from the 2nd period onwards, and it was just a stereotypical backend of a back-to-back effort. You could make an argument that the best defenceman on this night was the newcomer Nikita Tryamkin, who at least seemed to be trying to make things happen for the squad, with physical play.

They now move on to Winnipeg where they will be fighting to not get two points and continue down the path to last in the NHL, and closer to a top pick in the NHL draft. With the loss tonight, the Canucks now sit 27th in the NHL, three points up on the Jets.