The Hughes Bowl ended up being the boos bowl as the Vancouver Canucks fell flat in a 6-0 embarrassing loss to the New Jersey Devils.

I thought of doing a better joke than that, but I honestly have no idea who is going to want to read about this game, much less write about it.

At one point, I had the title of this article set at “Canucks all trick no treat in 4-0 defeat to Devils”, thinking New Jersey would do the humane thing and just skate out the clock against an opponent who clearly didn’t want to be there.

Then, sadly, I had to update it to 5-0, but at least I could rest easy knowing it would be the last edit I would make.

So colour me surprised when I got to update it one final time to indicate that, yes, the Canucks got their a$$es absolutely handed to them on a fancy platter from Ming Wo on 4th Avenue to the tune of 6-0.

Fun Fact: Alex Auld’s wife Melanie has a store across the street from Ming Wo. Why is this a fun fact? Because I will do anything to write about something other than that game.

It’s not just the fact it was a loss; it was how the Canucks lost. It feels like we didn’t see a loss like that under Rick Tocchet during the entire 2023-24 season. It was a loss where the players seemed checked out, lacking cohesion and showing a complete lack of energy. What happened to compete being in our nature? Embracing the hard wasn’t supposed to mean games like this.

Now, you could point to Arturs Silovs getting the start as a main reason for the result of this game. And I agree, he did this team no favorus, and it’s hard to defend 16 saves on 22 shots, leaving him with the playoff Cloutier-like .727 save percentage.

But if we’re being honest with each other, Kevin Lankinen and Quinn Hughes have covered a lot of this team’s warts this season. Rick Tocchet tends not to get very up and down over any result, but you could almost feel like he had some concerns about the way the team has played this year. It’s perhaps even more sobering due to the fact that just yesterday, Rick Tocchet was almost using the Carolina game as a wake up call for the team. During the morning scrum on Tuesday, he talked at length about the team needing to find that extra gear.

“That’s the one thing we weren’t good at last year, goals off chaos plays. We were good at set plays but we weren’t good off chaos plays where it’s not even a play. You beat your guys out of the corner, you take it to the net, you score a goal. We gotta get better at that. That’s a mentality. We’re working on that every day.”

You could almost sense the frustration in his discussion with the media about the players not quite fully buying into what the coaches were trying to impart upon them. Move your feet, win battles on the board, go hard to the net. At one point, Tocchet even brought up the fact that the Canucks are one of the worst teams at stopping rims around the board, which is typically a sign of a team waiting for the game to come to them instead of going out and grabbing it.

What happened to defending the GOTI? The Devils swept through the middle of the ice with such ease and volume that surely the metaphorical guts of the Canucks were splayed out all across Rogers Arena like a scene out of the Terrifier franchise.

The team will head back to the drawing board and try to turn things around against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, the start of a three-game swing through California. And the good news for Canucks fans is a winning road trip can change the narrative pretty quickly. Should they lose, however…

Enough horror stories; let’s get to the horror gifs.

Best backfire

Early shots on Marky. LFG #Canucks

— T A M B O (@canux10) October 31, 2024

Usually, setting the tone is reserved for someone landing a huge hit to start the game. Buddy goes into the corner, lays a guy out, crowd gives a raucous cheer, and the other team knows they might be in for a long night. They gotta put their big boy pants on if they want to win this game.

Chaos Giraffe, though? He don’t play that:

Now, you might wonder, “What did I just watch there, Wyatt? Surely that wasn’t Tyler Myers stepping up and making a play on the puck before deciding to back off without throwing a hit, and then setting a pick on Elias Pettersson, resulting in a 2 on 1 goal?”

Sadly, yes, that is exactly what happened. I’m not sure if this is a case of Tyler Myers not committing to the chaos enough (for the love of God, you committed to the pinch, you might as well body the other guy to slow him down) or if he committed so hard to the chaos it resulted in him unplugging his controller and running into a teammate.

Either way, it continues a disturbing trend from the Canucks second pairing of Carson Soucy and Tyler Myers.

All those safe, smart plays from Myers last year are nowhere to be found, and instead, we find ourselves watching the Chaos Giraffe once again in all his glory.

But on one hand, we’re kind of used to that. Even last season, one of Tyler Myers’ best in a Canucks uniform, he started the season off a bit slow. At the very least, we all know the Chaos Giraffe is in him, biding its time until it can reveal itself.

Carson Soucy, on the other hand, that’s been the bigger surprise. He’s the guy who tells Tyler Myers the suns getting real low and calms everything down. That’s why that pairing seemed to work so well; Carson just seemed to balance out Tyler Myers.

So far, however, this season been a bit of an unmitigated disaster for Spicy, as his reliability has been suspect at best.

Need help in your own zone? Carson is there.

Need help fixing your car? Carson is there.

Need help starting a new life in a new country because you accidentally got involved in a government conspiracy? Carson has you covered.

This year, for whatever reason, he just looks slow. Slow with his skating and slow with his decision-making. And when you have NHL players who are locked in and playing well, they feast on slow people, aka the red shirts of the away mission.

Again, early days, but for a team that wants to go on a playoff run this year, you cannot avoid the fact that the Canucks look like they are in dire need of another top 4 d-man, and you wouldn’t be crazy to wonder if they should try and find two of those.

Which is amusing, because 90% of the teams in the NHL are also looking for top four defencemen, but that’s a problem for another day.

Best paltry play

Put together two 100+ pt players, a Norris Trophy winner, a 40g scorer, and the most versatile forward in your lineup, and what do you get?:

Answer: The most anaemic looking power play in the NHL#Canucks

— BoestMode (@BoestMode) October 31, 2024

Quinn Hughes earned a four-minute powerplay by allowing his face to be whacked with a stick, as is tradition.

Which was great news! It meant the Canucks could use the new power play strategies they worked on the last couple of days, scoring goal after goal after goal.

Four minutes of power play time got them one shot total, and it wasn’t even a good shot. That’s why I put the clip up above of EP40 skating the puck towards the net because it at least showcases a hypothesis of how a puck might go into the net.

At one point I found myself thinking, “Ah good, Daniel Sprong is here, that should give them some different looks” which, look, I shouldn’t be saying that, nobody should be saying that. Don’t get me wrong, I really like Sprong, just more on unit two, where the minutes are few.

Yes, I just rhymed for fun because it’s all I have. It’s all you have. It’s all any of us have.

The Canucks went 0 for 4 on the powerplay on the night, and my main takeaway is that it just feels like there is a disconnect between the coaches and the players. Not in a, “oh my god, what did Angelina say now on Jersey Shore??” type of way, but just in a way that the players aren’t executing on what the coaches want from them.

Watch the scrum from Tuesday with Rick Tocchet, and you can see him talking about explaining to the team about how Carolina stacks one side on the penalty kill, yet the team still tried to skate through it. The coaching staff is scouting other teams and trying to implement game strategy, but as of right now, it’s just not syncing up. You could also hear it in his words when he was asked about Elias Pettersson’s one-timer not being utilized on the powerplay as much.

“You can’t stand still, the team’s not going to let you take the one timer, so you’ve gotta move…we’ve been on Petey about moving his feet, you can’t just stand still.”

People have talked about this game felt like something from under the Boudreau or Green eras, and I agree. That tight cohesive hockey that is a staple of Tocchet Hockey just hasn’t been a consistent thing this season.

Best those were the days

Anyone wanna be5 that Devils score on their PP #Canucks

— randyM (@galpin99) October 31, 2024

Danton Heinen does a poor job of protecting the GOTI by skating towards the center of his zone and then losing the puck:

He followed that turnover up with a hooking penalty, but the good news was that the first period was so low event, that this was the scariest part of the Devils powerplay:

I like how Elias just sort of floats into frame, trying to see if he can snake the puck out of the scrum, but then realizes he’s probably better off just shoving some dudes.

Best passive aggressive votes of confidence

Keifer Sherwood a driver out there. Can only imagine what a guy with a skill ceiling like Petersson could accomplish with that kind of engine. Hope the other skaters are taking notes #Canucks

— Stefan Gonzales (@stefangonzales) October 31, 2024

You’re going to notice a lot of “Elias could learn from this” tweets if this season continues as it has for EP40. You could even use it in your home life, if you want.

“Elias could learn a thing or two about hustle from you today babe, you really nailed that dinner.”

“If Pettersson had the cardio of our dog, this game would be a different story.”

It’s good because it helps raise someone up while also letting Elias know that you are incredibly disappointed in him.

Now, the Canucks were officially recorded as having 0 high danger chances in the first period, as well as only generating two scoring chances.

Which is why we need to show this clip from Kiefer Sherwood, just to prove that yes, in fact, the Canucks did generate a scoring chance:

Teddy Blueger, Conor Garland, Kiefer Sherwood and Quinn Hughes were the best Canucks on the night, mostly for the fact that they would sometimes take more than one stride in a row. And in Kiefer’s case, his motor never quits, which allows him to generate plays like the one shown above. His pursuit of the puck is indeed a trait you’d love to impart to all players, because it’s such a valuable skill set to have.

The problem is when only four of your players are engaging in pursuing the puck, you get games like Wednesday night, with the Canucks getting 13 scoring chances to the Devils 28.

Vancouver officially ended the night with 8 high danger scoring chances (15 for New Jersey), but you can’t tell me that at least four of those were handed out of pity.

Best Ben Simmons redux

It felt like Pettersson still wanted to pass there, even with 2 seconds on the clock and no one near him

— Blake Price (@justBlakePrice) October 31, 2024

We’re at the point now where people are tweeting “I think he’s done, he’s washed, career is over” and I have to tell you as someone who watched Ben Simmons flame out in spectacular fashion, you need at least three seasons of off-season videos of you dominating at the local YMCA before you’ve gone full Ben Simmons mode.

That being said, it’s generally concerning to remember the Elias who sniped top shelf where your cousin keeps the socks he steals from gym class compared to this:

On the one hand, he shot the puck.

On the other hand, slowing things down, eyeing up up your shot, loading it up, and then going straight into the goalie’s chest is pretty deflating. It gives you the same feeling you get when you Starbucks actually spells your name correctly on your cup which means you don’t get to post about it on Twitter.

We will have all season to discuss Elias Pettersson, and don’t get me wrong, you absolutely should be concerned about his play so far. He has not lived up anywhere close to the new contract and things will only get worse in terms of public scrutiny if it continues down this path.

I just think we need to halt the “His career is over” narratives until a little more time has passed.

Best you ain’t got no alibi

embarrassing. i hope tocchet makes the paint peel from the walls with yelling. ugly give away #Canucks

— TocchetsTie (@TocchetsTie) October 31, 2024

The Canucks powerplay continues to be a lethal weapon when it is used against them:

JT Miller tries the crossover with Quinn Hughes, but they aren’t on the same page, and in one of the odder moments in Quinn’s career he tries to block out Nico Hischier, not realizing the puck is in his feet.

Hockey can be a very vocal game, as the F-bombs near live mics often showcase, but it just felt like nobody said anything and just assumed Quinn would figure it out. Not a single panicked “FEET FEET FEET” was heard, and instead the Devils turned it into a 2 on 1 shorthanded goal. Maybe if that’s Soucy the entire bench screams at him that the puck is in his feet, but since it’s Quinn Hughes you just sort of assume he always has a plan. Surely he’s pretending he doesn’t know the puck is in his skates so he can fake out Nico.

Now, Silovs didn’t play well (and this was the least egregious goal he let in on the night), but you shouldn’t need Kevin Lankinen going God Mode in nets to keep your teams in games like this.

Best Kid H is right

Silovs hasn't been great, but the #Canucks are giving up way too many Grade-A chances off the rush

— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) October 31, 2024

The Canucks responded to that goal in the most 8 Rinks way possible by forechecking too deep and giving up a 2 on 1 rush almost immediately:

The Devils hit the post on that goal, but don’t you worry, another goal is coming.

I just don’t want you to think I am not going to be posting a lot of gifs of the Devils scoring because believe me, they are coming.

Best keep on digging deeper

Thank you Silovs, you’re showing us how bad the Canucks actually are #canucks

— kevin (@kevinlambert23) October 31, 2024

Again, this is a scenario where yes, Silovs need to be better, but also, the Canucks aren’t playing very well.

Here we have Nils Höglander losing possession of the puck in the offensive zone, and then falling behind in the play that results in the Devils third goal:

The Canucks are still in an ok spot even with the pig man turning the puck over, but Tyler Myers goes full Anthony Bradford and just sort of sets up shop and hopes something runs into him, which unfortunately results in him screening Silovs on the shot. And as we have seen from the Arty Party, whilst fun, does tend to struggle at tracking the puck at the best of times.

So we either get aggressive plays that don’t work, or passive defense that collapses and screens the goalie, just in case you wanted a summary of this game.

Best poke it with a stick

Could hear it all the way up in the press box, a #Canucks fan yelling “DO SOMETHING”

— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) October 31, 2024

One thing I think we have all appreciated about Kevin is how steady and in control he looks in between the pipes.

Arty in comparison looks a bit wild in the nets:

A diving blocker save attempt on a rebound off a shot that goes wide just feels a little too hot for my liking. When they ask me how many peppers I want in my goalies, I just want the one. Not two. And never three.

Best pound for pound

Shortest guy on the team. Biggest fucking heart. hey #40, take note. #canucks

— Canucks$Life (@Canucks4life7) October 31, 2024

Corolla Garland got the fans out of their seats with a fight against Erik Haula in the middle of the second period:

Let’s get this out of the way, Garland clearly lost that fight.

BUT, he had the kind of fight where he was losing badly early, but then bounced back with three solid shots, and who doesn’t love and underdog attempting a wild comeback? It was the perfect kind of fight to give the fans something to cheer about, and it briefly brought the arena to life. There were even Conor Garland chants following the fisticuffs.

Best phrasing

Alright boys, we’re gonna need a round of back to back goals right about now, yeah? #Canucks #NJDvsVAN @Canucks

— sim 🐧 (@siimmm4444) October 31, 2024

That momentum was short lived, however, because Sim forgot to specify WHICH team needed to get the goals:

This just goes full circle back to Rick Tocchet discussing execution, and about the team not being very good at pucks on the board, because this goal started due to Sherwood gaining the zone and sending the puck back to the boards, which Danton was not sealing off.

If you watch the player a bit earlier, the end result is a tired Heinen hoofing it back but not being able to offer up much defense aside from “oh god I can’t breathe, I am going to flail my stick in your general direction so at least my coach knows I understood the danger of this situation.”:

Tyler Myers is on the ice for yet another goal, but I think he plays this one as best he can given the circumstances. He’s protecting the GOTI and he’s hoping Danton has Ondrej Palat covered.

I mean, sure, the chaos giraffe could have gone for a huge hit and then skated end to end to score a goal, but that’s not how chaos work, you can’t control chaos, you can only pray you get to witness it going in your favor.

Best gentle touch of a push back

We have the NJD right where we want them. They won’t be ready for when we play our nightly 7 minutes #Canucks

— Tyler’s Neck (@chaosgiraffe57) October 31, 2024

Don’t worry, the recap is almost done.

I do want to showcase the Canucks best chance to score a goal, when once again Kiefer Sherwood is playing a vital role in it:

His pass to Teddy KGB sets up the nice scoring chance, and then Kiefer follows that up with good pass to Myers for a point shot, which Kiefer follows up by taking a couple of Dexter like stabs at the rebound.

In terms of the faintest of silver linings, I do want to say that there is a world in which Sherwood/Blueger/Heinen is a top level third line that allows Dakota Joshua to play with EP40 and Garland, thus turning around the Canucks season and/or Elias’ career.

Best bold move

12:30am. Sticking around hoping for a #Canucks comeback.

— Hughes Canucks Fan. Boes Believe it. (@McnuggetPeople) October 31, 2024

File this one under “best intentions” from Elias Pettersson, who tries to land a big hit but ends up giving up an odd-man rush:

Like, that dude earlier was all “you could learn something from Kiefer” etc, so on one hand EP40 did learn something watching Sherwood. He went out and tried to throw a hit, you have to applaud that effort.

It’s just, that’s not his skill set at all. I know he can reverse check with the best of them, but going out and trying to land a big hit, it just feels like this shows how in his head he is at the moment.

The criticism of Elias reminds me a lot of the Alex Mogilny days, where you have this cerebral, highly skilled player that showcases very little emotion, and when the puck isn’t going in for you, you become an easy target from people who perceive you as “soft” or “not trying hard enough”, “not giving a shit”, which is only made worse in the salary cap world.

In today’s game, a highly paid player is hurting your team on the ice as well as with potential moves due to their salary cap hit.

In my day, you only got to be mad about a player making a ton of money not to play well. You got mad on the billionaire owners behalf for wasting their money, you see.

Which hey, as I said earlier, you can 100% criticize the play of Elias. I just think “he needs to try harder” isn’t what the issue is.

Best slop ’em up boys

THIS IS WHATS GONNA KILL ME.
THIS IS HOW I GO. #CANUCKS

— s (@lynchscanuck) October 31, 2024

Execution, execution, execution.

Here is Fil Hronek getting the puck on a penalty kill and having ample time to go full Sven Butenschon and go glass and out.

Instead he choose to fire the puck right up the middle, turning it over, and creating a pizza Luca Sbisa would be jealous of:

I know the Canucks try and catch the opposition defense a lot with stretch passes and banks off the boards, but on a penalty kill down 4-0, just make the safe play there.

The end result? The Devils kept possession of the puck, leading to Jack Hughes getting to talk his shit to his older brother because he scored and Quinn didn’t:

Yes, Kevin would have had that, but that’s because Kevin is a glorious unicorn who Vancouver doesn’t deserve.

Best dying breaths

this team is a joke. all the star players are soft af except hughes #canucks

— Gourav Sangha (@GouravpreetS) October 31, 2024

Quinn Hughes set up the best scoring chance of the third period on a New Jersey line change:

Ok then.

Best please stop

Silovs has given up 6 in each of his two home starts this season. That's tough. Didn't get much help in front of him tonight. Terrible team effort from #Canucks

— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) October 31, 2024

And what better way to end a horrible loss than with a Jeff Paterson sobering tweet of reality followed by the sixth goal:

Do we even need to break this one down? The Canucks are dead inside by this point, and it almost feels rude that New Jersey is still trying to score at this point. Vancouver is clearly in “please let this game end now” mode, but I believe the Hughes Bowl uses scoring on aggregate? In 20 years Jack needs to show Quinn that he beat him 112-98 in goals?

Teddy Blueger followed this up with tipping a shot on net, and ok dear god let’s end this.

Best it’s finally over

#NHL GameScore Impact Card for Vancouver Canucks on 2024-10-30:#Canucks pic.twitter.com/vEgtnLQeFH

— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) October 31, 2024

Eyet test lines up. Soucy and Myers are a PROBLEM right now.

Next game Saturday against the Sharks.

See you there.

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