The Vancouver Canucks welcomed the Edmonton Oilers to Rogers Arena for the fourth and final time of the season and of the decade. Here is what went down.
The Vancouver Canucks were looking for their third win in a row after dispatching the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 on Saturday. Despite winning that game, they still did not have a solid 60 minutes of hockey. Is it a coincidence that the minute Alex Edler returns to the lineup, the Canucks have a complete defensive game? I think not.
The entire defense core looked like a cohesive unit the entire game against the Edmonton Oilers and every player all the way down to the much-maligned Loui Eriksson had a solid outing. This is the type of hockey the Canucks need to play consistently to have success.
They got scoring from three lines as well as the defense as Quinn Hughes unleashed a howitzer from the point on the power play for the winner. Bo Horvat even had his first home goal, albeit not without some controversy. But I’m sure he will take it nonetheless.
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Hughes needs to shoot more
After watching Hughes unleash the one-timer that eventually became the game-winner, I am reminded of his supposed weakness coming out of the draft. Would you believe it was his shot? Looking at it now, that seems like crazy talk. Along with his elite skating and vision, he also has a superb shot from the blueline. Too bad he didn’t use it more.
Imagine for a moment if he did. He already has 27 points with only three of those being of the goal variety. If he scored more consistently he would be running away with the Calder Trophy right now and probably amongst the top point-getters in the NHL on defense.
But I guess we shouldn’t complain too much, as he is now one point back of Cale Makar for the rookie scoring lead and tenth in overall defense scoring. But if he could add even five goals to his total he would be in the top five. The way he’s progressing, I don’t doubt that he could score more especially with that shot in his arsenal.
Horvat can actually score at Rogers Arena
Horvat was probably starting to think that he would never score again within the friendly confines of Rogers Arena. Of course, his first goal at home had to be a controversial one. After Tanner Pearson threw a shot into Mikko Koskinen‘s pads, he drove the net looking for a rebound. He found it, but not with his stick, he had to angle his skate for it to go in. That precipitated a call to Toronto to check for a kicking motion, and we all know how that can go sometimes.
But just like with most challenges/reviews this season, the call went the Canucks’ way, which is somewhat of a surprise looking back at recent history. Regardless, it was called a goal and the captain could finally celebrate a goal at home and the fans could do the familiar “Boooooo Horvat!” chant. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come and we can start celebrating more goals from him sitting in Rogers Arena rather than in front of our TVs.
Motte is the straw that stirs the fourth line
Ever since Tyler Motte returned to the lineup and to his familiar spot on the fourth line, it has been effective. When he was out, the line lacked an identity and just felt like it was missing an ingredient. It turns out the magic ingredient started with an “M”.
After being acquired by the Canucks in a deal that sent Thomas Vanek to the Columbus Blue Jackets, he has been a very effective energy player for head coach Travis Green. He has a strong work ethic to go along with a very solid physical game. He also is a very skilled penalty killer. Basically he is the perfect fourth-line forward. With him, the team has a legitimate fourth line that they can send out against any team and feel comfortable in its deployment.
Bonus Takeaways: Edler is the glue on defense & Fantenberg edges out Benn
Since Edler got injured on Nov 30 against these same Oilers, the Canucks defense has looked messy and disorganized. Why? It’s because he is still the leader and number one defenceman on this team, despite people saying otherwise. He plays over 20 minutes a game in a matchup role as well as on the penalty kill. Removing a guy like that from any lineup will make waves, and make waves it did. Tyler Myers looked particularly lost without the guiding presence of The Eagle.
With Edler returning, a defenceman had to come out of the lineup. The obvious choice? Well it had to be Oscar Fantenberg, right? Wrong. Green elected to stay with the Swedish presence on the blue line, instead of the veteran Jordie Benn. Surprisingly, he also did not put Edler back with Myers, he reunited him with his old pal Troy Stecher.
Myers remained with Fantenberg, who played a really solid game alongside him against the Penguins. These pairings may turn out to be a stroke of genius by Green, as they all played a very structured game against two of the best in the NHL in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Except for a couple of offensive forays (which is to be expected against two superstars), they were largely shut down at even strength. The only time they looked particularly dangerous was on the power play, which again, is to be expected.
What’s Next?
The Canucks now enter the Christmas break riding a three-game winning streak. Their next game isn’t until Saturday when they host the Los Angeles Kings. Until then, Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas!