Facing off against a fairly representative Arizona Coyotes squad, and playing its second game in as many nights, the Canucks certainly looked the part dropping a 4-2 decision Monday night in Vancouver. The Canucks fell to 1-2-2 in the preseason, as the club’s penalty killing problems continued to be an issue. The Coyotes went 3-for-5 on the power play and the Canucks faced a 5-on-3 disadvantage for the third straight game.

There were some positive signs, though. Ben Hutton looked confident and strong with the puck. The tandem of Alex Edler and Troy Stecher were great on the power play and at even strength. Jack Skille and Tuomo Ruutu continued their respective battles to make the team on PTOs. But the Canucks will no doubt welcome the return of the Sedins and company starting Thursday against the Flames.

The Statistics

Markus Granlund, Ben Hutton: 1G

Anton Rodin, Alex Edler: 1A

Jacob Markstrom: 33/37 saves; .892SV%

Shots: VAN 32 – ARZ – 37

Faceoffs: VAN 49% – ARZ – 51%

Game Summary

The Canucks preseason penalty kill woes continued to cause them problems early. Vancouver would surrender its sixth goal of the preseason while shorthanded, as Coyote defenceman Anthony DeAngelo capitalized on a nice backhand feed from noted Canuck killer Martin Hanzal.

The Canucks would get their first power play of the game on a somewhat nasty Christian Fischer high stick to the face of Sven Baertschi. Sven would be fine, as would the Canucks power play. Alex Edler would look off the pass to the Anton Rodin before firing a wrister on goal. The shot would be neatly tipped by Markus Granlund as the Canucks tied the score 1-1.

A bit of miscommunication in the neutral zone led to an Anthony Duclair breakaway and the sophomore Arizona winger made a nice deke to the forehand and tucked the puck in behind Jacob Markstrom. The Canucks goalie got up somewhat gingerly after Duclair crashed into him following the goal, but he would finish the game.

After outshooting (16-8) – and largely outplaying – the Coyotes in the first period, the Canucks found themselves in penalty trouble again early in the second. Erik Gudbranson put the Canucks down a man after taking an interference penalty, and then the Canucks would take yet another Too Many Men minor to put them down by two skaters. The Coyotes Oliver Ekman-Larsson would make the Canucks pay with a laser shot from the point.

Ben Hutton, who has been showing a lot of confidence and speed in moving the puck this preseason, would get one back for the Canucks on a brilliant individual effort. After walking around Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski, he roofed his own rebound – seemingly in one motion – against goalie Louis Domingue.

But the Coyotes would restore their lead on yet another power play goal. Gudbranson would take another penalty against in-game nemesis Laurent Dauphin (this time for boarding) and ageless wonder Shane Doan would wire home his second goal of the preseason on the ensuing man advantage.

There was no scoring in the final frame as the game ended 4-2 for the Coyotes.

Game Notes

-Stecher-Watch: Troy Stecher continued his bid to make the Canucks opening-night roster. Paired with Alex Edler, the two looked creative throwing the puck around on the point on the power play, and were exceptional at even-strength. Both finished the game with a Corsi-for approaching 67% at 5-on-5

-Hutton-Mania: Ben Hutton provided the highlight of the night for Canucks fans with his dazzling second period goal. It wasn’t the first time Hutton had made such a daring rush this preseason and hopefully it’s a harbinger of things to come from the sophomore defenceman. He certainly looked like he was enjoying himself out there

-Tryamkin and Gudbranson were paired together tonight with results that didn’t quite add up to their combined height. Tryamkin, especially, looked slow against the young Coyotes forwards and Gudbranson took a couple of penalties that resulted in Coyote goals

-After a strong game last night, the Horvat-Baertschi line saw Anton Rodin replaced on the wing with Emerson Etem, to limited effect. They trio struggled to generate offence, and were a combined -3 (allowing the only even-strength goal against). Coach Willie was less than impressed with Etem’s efforts on the night

-Philip Larsen didn’t leave a lasting impression with his game tonight. Facing a roster spot challenge from the aforementioned Stecher, he was practically invisible. He will need to do more to secure his spot in the opening night lineup

Player of the Game

Ben Hutton: If only for the spectacular rush and goal in the second period, the Canucks defenceman has certainly looked more confident to start the preseason.

Next Game

Thursday, October 6th versus Calgary (7 pm)

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