It was almost the exact type of game that fans on team tank are hoping for. Games that are entertaining and close, feature the Canucks’ few great players playing great, but still result in a regulation loss, bringing them closer to the top of an absolutely loaded draft class.
Unfortunately for them, Andrei Kuzmenko has had other ideas lately. For the second game in a row, the Canucks made a late comeback to force overtime. And for the second game in a row, it was a goal off the stick of Andrei Kuzmenko that forced OT. Kuzmenko is now up to 27 goals through 57 games this season.
Earlier, Elias Pettersson set up JT Miller for his 20th goal of the year while the Canucks were shorthanded, and that was certainly a bright spot tonight! I mean, look at that pass!
Not only did the Canucks score while shorthanded, but they also killed off all three of the Blues’ power playa. Sure, they went 0-4 on their own power plays, but with how bad this team’s penalty kill has been all season long, you’ll take all the wins you can get.
I get it. Overtime and points in general right now aren’t great. On the bright side, the Blues also got a point, meaning it’s harder for them to “catch” the Canucks down the stretch run. And on the even brighter side, Arturs Silovs was fantastic in overtime, picking up his second NHL win after Elias Pettersson picked up his third point of the night with an exclamation point. Ladies and gentlemen, here is Elias Pettersson’s 29th goal of the year in all it’s glory:
That’s three Canucks goals on the night, and three Canucks goals that Pettersson was instrumental in creating. 3-2 final from St. Louis. Are we even surprised by him at this point?
Aatu Räty was fine in his Canucks debut, and I’m really curious to hear what you all thought of him tonight, which is why I’m putting this at the end. His skating was better than I expected, and I thought he was fine. I definitely want to see more of him at this level. He showed flashes of his two-way smarts, and set up what was almost a Sheldon Dries goal by taking a hit in the offensive zone. Not shying away from contact is certainly a good sign.
What did you think about his game? Let me know that, and any other thoughts on the game you have, in the comments section below!