Welcome to Instant Reaction — 4 Nations Face-Off edition! Typically, we give our Instant Reaction to Vancouver Canucks games, but since those aren’t happening right now, we thought we’d do the same for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Tyler Myers picked up right where he left off by taking a minor penalty early in this game. Arturs Silovs was sharp to begin this game, making three big saves to keep the game scoreless.
The Canucks got a power play of their own, and elected to send out a first unit of Elias Pettersson, Nils Hoglander, Jake DeBrusk, Pius Suter and Filip Hronek. As you may have guessed, that unit did not score.
Utah got another power play opportunity after Marcus Pettersson was called for holding. The Canucks killed this one off again, so Pettersson took another penalty. This time, he was called for playing the puck with a broken stick.
The first period was ugly for the Canucks, as they were outshot 11-4.
The power plays continued in the second, and the Canucks made good on their chance. Elias Pettersson found Jake DeBrusk at the net-front, and the Canucks’ leading goal scorer pushed his season total to 21.
1-0 Canucks. 
It didn’t take long for Utah to tie things up, as Logan Cooley tipped a point shot past Silovs to tie things up.
1-1. 
Arturs Silovs made a big save off of Lawson Crouse on a breakaway:
Arturs Silovs was proving to be the Canucks’ best player on the night, as he continued to make stops when Utah was pressing.
Through two periods, this game was a certified snoozefest.
The Canucks got their fourth power play chance of the night early on in the third, and while Filip Chytil came close after getting a golden opportunity in the slot, it was another power play in which the Canucks failed to convert.
With just under ten minutes remaining, Filip Hronek sprung Elias Pettersson with a breakaway pass, but Pettersson skied the shot attempt over the net.
Seconds later, Silovs stopped Josh Doan on a breakaway to keep this game tied. Derek Forbort took a penalty, and this time, Utah converted on their chance.
2-1 Utah.
That would stick as your final score.
Some more takeaways from tonight:
–Victor Mancini looked a bit overwhelmed, but some nerves can be expected in your first game with a new team. He also did some things I liked, is young, and is right-handed, so I hope he gets some more chances.
-Kudos to Tocchet and the Canucks for not taking Elias Pettersson (D) out of the defence corps. He might be the easy decision to come out based on his age and experience, but he’s absolutely earned the opportunity to keep getting games. Liked what I saw from him tonight.
-The Canucks’ power play units are so bleak when Quinn Hughes isn’t in the lineup.
-Zzzzz
-Rick Tocchet talks a lot about the Canucks not getting the right outcome in big moments. The Pettersson breakaway feels like a good example of that at a pivotal point in the game.
-Why can’t the Canucks get more shots on goal?
-Really liked Filip Hronek again. Nice to see him and Elias Pettersson working out as a pairing.
What are your thoughts on tonight’s game? Let us know in the comments section below!
And be sure to tune into the Rink Wide Vancouver post game show moments after the final horn LIVE on YouTube!
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