‘I do not just like the phrase smooth, however I did not see guys competing in any respect. And that is alarming. They competed and we did not.’ — Rick Tocchet on 2-0 loss in Philadelphia Oct. 17.
Article content material
Philadelphia Flyers (18-11-4) at Vancouver Canucks (23-9-3)
Commercial 2
Article content material
When/the place: Thursday, 7 p.m., Rogers Area
Article content material
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
The thrill: First within the division, first within the convention and tied for first general has introduced followers to their toes and league-wide consciousness and even a way of awe with what’s taking place in Vancouver. It’s not a mirage. It’s actual.
A relentless dedication so nothing wavers is past perception to critics ready for that different skate to drop, and for actuality to set in. The Canucks have their challenges with sloppy zone exits — passes are picked off alongside the partitions and turning into disturbing objectives — however their statistics are staggering.
Probably the most objectives, most at even energy, 4 gamers in high 16 of league scoring, second fewest objectives allowed and a 20-0-0 mark when main after two durations are astounding. Particularly in not giving up leads within the third body.
Canucks Report
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
It has taken head coach Rick Tocchet almost a yr to drill down on conditioning and non-negotiable fundamentals for consistency and success. It’s why the Canucks are a tremendous 43-21-7 underneath his watch, which equates to 93 factors in 71 video games.
It could be straightforward to let off the fuel and hit cruise management, however that’s not taking place right here. In entrance of a raucous fan base, they’ve gone 13-3-1 at Rogers Area. Solely the Bruins have misplaced fewer video games on residence ice with two setbacks.
“We’ve bought to remain hungry,” mentioned Tocchet. “We’ve nonetheless bought to maintain searching. We simply can’t be a staff that’s comfy. We now have to play uncomfortable.”
The historical past: Second assembly of the season. The Canucks misplaced 2-0 in Philadelphia on Oct.17 and compelled Thatcher Demko to make 40 saves to maintain them in a recreation wherein they didn’t belong. It compelled Tocchet to lose it. “I can’t even pick guys who performed properly, besides Demko,” he spat. “He was unreal, the remaining weren’t.
Commercial 4
Article content material
“I don’t just like the phrase smooth, however I didn’t see guys competing in any respect. And that’s alarming. We had been off in each single system a part of it. They competed and we didn’t. Backside line.”
Studying the riot act labored. The Canucks gathered their recreation and completed that highway journey 3-2-0.
The hope: It wasn’t a one-and-done by Andrei Kuzmenko in a 7-4 victory over the Sharks on Saturday. He scored at 1:34 by taking an Elias Pettersson feed within the excessive slot and whipping a wrister residence. He then struck on the ability play at 6:51 with a deft deflection of a J.T. Miller shot.
The concern: 4 days and not using a recreation is nice for relaxation and restoration. It may very well be onerous to seek out their legs, however the day-by-day incentive to enhance, and avenge that loss in Philly, ought to work.
Commercial 5
Article content material
The highest weapons: Miller is second in NHL scoring with 48 factors (15-33). Quinn Hughes is tied for sixth with 44 factors (10-34), Pettersson tenth with 43 factors (13-30) and Brock Boeser sixteenth with 38 factors (24-14) and tied for many power-play objectives (9).
The wounded: Canucks: Carson Soucy (foot, week-to-week, LTIR), Guillaume Brisebois (concussion, LTIR). Flyers: Noah Cates (fractured foot, IR), Ryan Ellis (again, IR).
The quote: “I don’t consider first place. I consider the method of the place we’re at. We’ve executed some actually good things, however we’ve been just a little uneven with some video games.’ — Tocchet.
The lineup:
Mikheyev-Pettersson-Kuzmenko
Hoglander-Miller-Boeser
Joshua-Blueger-Garland
Aman-Suter-Lafferty
Hughes-Hronek
Commercial 6
Article content material
Zadorov-Myers
Cole-Juulsen
The prediction: John Tortorella received’t speak playoffs, however his membership has received seven of its final 10 video games (7-1-2) and sports activities fourth-ranked PK. And Torts desires to win right here. Canucks grind it out with 4-2. win.
(FAN FORUM: Do you may have a particular query for a participant? Go it alongside to @provincesports and we’ll get it in a future version.)
Beneficial from Editorial
-
Canucks Q&A: Geoff Courtnall on present membership: ‘They’ll go so far as they consider they will’
-
A farewell to Gino Odjick tops our 10 most-read sports activities tales of 2023
Bookmark our web site and assist our journalism: Don’t miss the information you must know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and join our newsletters right here.
It’s also possible to assist our journalism by changing into a digital subscriber: For simply $14 a month, you will get limitless entry to The Vancouver Solar, The Province, Nationwide Publish and 13 different Canadian information websites. Assist us by subscribing at present: The Vancouver Solar | The Province.
Article content material