Prior to the game, Rick Tocchet stressed the need for his team to defend the rush well, even namedropping Jack Eichel as one of the league’s most dangerous players off the rush. So it was fitting that Eichel manufactured a partial breakaway for himself by blowing past Tyler Myers on the rush. Luckily, the road warrior known as Kevin Lankinen stood tall on his first test of the game.
The Canucks’ third line of Danton Heinen, Teddy Blueger, and Kiefer Sherwood opened the scoring in this game after a hardworking shift that was highlighted by some great determination from Blueger, who was rewarded for his efforts with his fifth goal of the season.
1-0 Canucks. I really liked Danton Heinen’s play in the neutral zone and subsequent zone entry on this goal.
On the next shift, Conor Garland set up Pius Suter for a golden opportunity that Adin Hill absolutely robbed.
On their NEXT shift, the Sherwood line — yes, we’re calling them that — got another grade-A chance off on Hill that the Vegas netminder turned aside.
The Canucks had some juice early in this game. They were snapping the puck with speed and poise, and gave the Golden Knights all kinds of trouble.
It was a solid first period effort for the Canucks, and of course, all anyone seemed to want to talk about was the Canucks continuing to split up Pettersson and Miller on PP1. Tonight it was Pettersson’s turn to skate on PP1. As I said last game, my novel idea is to put them both on the first unit.
While the Canucks certainly controlled play in the second period less than they did in the first, they were still solid enough to keep the lead for most of the second.
Alex Pietrangelo scored one from distance on Vegas’ 12th shot of the game to make it 1-1 with just over three minutes to go in the second.
Like Demko last night, Lankinen was so good tonight, and also like Demko last night, he allowed a goal on one of the easier chances he faced tonight.
The Canucks and Golden Knights entered the third tied at one apiece with the shots standing at 14-13 in favour of Vegas.
Kevin Lankinen kicked off the third period with his own Save of the Year candidate when he robbed Mark Stone on the doorstep with his paddle:
Shortly after that, though, William Karlsson drove to the net and banged home his own rebound to make it 2-1 Vegas.
The Canucks got their second power play opportunity of the game with just over 15 minutes left, and once again, we saw Miller on the second PP unit. Elias Pettersson got the best look of the two minute sequence when Quinn Hughes set him up for a one-timer, but Pettersson blasted the shot wide of the goal.
Vegas got their first power play chance of the game almost immediately after, as Derek Forbort was called for cross-checking. The best chance of the man advantage came after Kiefer Sherwood set up Danton Heinen after Sherwood made a smart pick at the blue line, just like he did against Colorado.
After not generating many shots, the Canucks put together seven in a hurry as they tried to forge a comeback and even this game up.
With two minutes left, the Canucks pulled their goalie, although I’m really not sure if that was the coach’s decision or JT Miller’s decision. It appeared to be a bit of both, as Lankinen waited for the signal from Tocchet while Miller held the puck behind the net with his palms in the air, wondering why Lankinen wasn’t going to the bench.
Lankinen eventually took off for the bench before the Canucks had gained the Vegas zone, and before they could, the Golden Knights stopped Pettersson’s weak dump in attempt and sent it back the other way.
3-1 Vegas final.
Some more takeaways from tonight:
-The Canucks’ play through the neutral zone was great tonight. Really, their play in all three zones was great, but I really noticed them entering the offensive end with possession rather than just gaining the red line before dumping the puck in deep.
-Another good night for the Soucy-Juulsen pairing.
-Felt a bit like the Canucks were playing not to get scored on a bit once they had a lead.
-A relatively solid game for the Canucks against a top tier opponent in Vegas. Really too bad they couldn’t at least pick up a point to show for their effort.
-Why on earth are Vinny Desharnais and Derek Forbort out there for the O-Zone draw after a Vegas icing? That was a confusing coaching decision with the team trailing late.
What’s your instant reaction to tonight’s game?
