Jonathan Lekkerimäki's first two assists of the third period. (both primary assists) On his way to having four assists in the period. #CanucksProspect
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Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki explodes with four points in one period during the Allsvenskan playoff finals
Photo credit: James Foster
Jonathan Lekkerimäki had been on a tear through the playoffs and exploded for offence in the third period of Sunday’s playoff game that looked like it took place in the 1970s.
Lekkerimäki’s team Djurgården was trailing 2-1 in the Allsvenskan finals ahead of Sunday’s game four against MoDo.
It was beginning to look like a blowout when MoDo held a 7-4 lead with 6:35 remaining in the game but Lekkerimäki assisted on two goals to get the game back down to a one-goal lead with 2:20 remaining. MoDo was ultimately able to hold off Djurgården and win 7-6, but Djurgården likely wouldn’t have been in the game without their five goals in the third period — four of which saw Lekkerimäki, the Canucks’ 2022 first-round pick notched four assists in the final period.
Let’s dive into the highlights.
Lekkerimäki had primary assists on both of the early goals in the period.
He assisted on Marcus Krüger’s power play goal just 1:30 into the third period. Lekkerimäki fired a shot that was tipped by Krüger at the net front.
He then followed that up with a great pass of the ruck onto Linus Klasen’s backhand.
MoDo struck for three goals in six minutes but Lekkerimäki assisted on two late goals to get his team back in the game.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki now has FOUR ASSISTS in the third period of this Allsvenskan playoff finals game. Here are the last two to get his team back into the game. #CanucksProspect
It’s been great to watch Lekkerimäki raise his level for the playoffs and even though he still has a long way to go before looking like an NHL-calibre player, he is having good process in the offensive zone with or without the puck.
Nice shift from Jonathan Lekkerimäki (#88), who looks much more engaged physically even though he still needs to add strength and size. He also has a nice cut to open ice in the slot at :26. #CanucksProspect
Lekkerimäki finished the game with four shots on net and four assists in 17:57 of ice time. He finished the game with a 55% control of expected goals at five-on-five and a 69% Corsi. With his 69% Corsi in the game, which now gives him eight-consecutive games with a positive control of attempted shots at five-on-five, he’s really been much better at even-strength in the playoffs.
We now wait for game five, which will take place on Wednesday. Lekkerimäki will need to stay hot for his team to have a chance in the Allsvenskan finals. His team is three straight wins away from getting back into the SHL.
With today’s four-point performance, Lekkerimäki now has 13 points through 12 playoff games.
And for all of those who are asking, we are 98% sure he isn’t coming over to North America next season. The Canucks don’t want to rush him and Lekkerimäki is very comfortable in Sweden.
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