The Canucks took their punches early, falling behind 4-1 to the Oilers through some back bounces and sloppy play. But as the game progressed, the Canucks took over more and more and scored four straight goals en route to a 5-4 victory to claim game one in the second round. If you missed it – or like me just want to watch it again – here are your highlights:
It wasn’t a masterpiece, but the Canucks overcame their early jitters/sloppy play/self-inflicted wounds to wrestle back a game they were down and out in. They Rocky-ed the hell out of the Oilers. This might be the most resilient Canucks team we’ve seen in a very long time…
“We hung in there and that’s what it really came down to,” Tocchet said post-win. “Every game is different and you have to think that way. Tonight, we liked the way we defended and we have something to fall back on if things don’t go our way. That’s our foundation.
“It’s a resilient group. Sometimes, we’re not pretty and I just feel like it’s a real close group. Everybody did something to contribute and we didn’t have any passengers tonight.”
On a night when their rookie third-string goalie wasn’t at his best, the team did enough to get things over the finish line. There was a goal or two he’d like back, and probably a few plays some other players would do again if they had the chance (Ian Cole had a bit of a rough outing). But, this team is confident in themselves, and while in years past they definitely would have crumbled under their mistakes, this team doesn’t and didn’t.
“There’s a lot of belief in this group,” Zadorov said. “Nobody gave up when we were down because we liked our 5-on-5 game, even though they got a few bounces. When you play well, it’s easy to stay positive because we were controlling the game. And when you’re playing like sh*t, it’s hard.
“You have to give credit to every guy in the room and to Arturs at the end. Overall, a great team win.”
The Canucks didn’t get off to the start they wanted. A too many men penalty a minute in led to an Oilers power play goal and it went down from there. The Canucks turned it around in the second, gaining more traction and putting heavier shifts in the Edmonton zone, but found themselves down 4-1 just over halfway through the game. Then, it turned. A Lindholm bank shot to close the second, and a ferocious three-goal third to seal the victory. The Canucks turned up the offense, but also turned up the defense. McDavid was held without a shot all game, and overall the Oilers had just 8 shots through the final 40 minutes (going about 20 minutes without a shot after their fourth goal).
It was another epic story that this team has written these playoffs.
“It's character,” Zadorov said of the comeback. “That shows the character inside the room. I think this team has been facing a lot of adversity throughout the year. . . a lot of adversity through the first round. And now this game shows us, too. We stick to it. A lot of guys stepped in individually and got us big goals.”
Big goals, and a couple timely plays and saves. Pettersson broke up what would have been a McDavid breakaway, Nugent-Hopkins hit a post, and Silovs made a couple big saves late. It was the first real complicated game for Silovs, who showed some emotion through his generally stoic nature. But after the game it was back to being centered.
“Crazy game with a lot of bounces but we managed to pull through,” said Silovs, who held the fort as the Oilers pressed late for the equalizer. “Games aren’t perfect. Things may happen against you, but you have stay composed because you never know what may happen.
“I was just battling for the guys because they did such an amazing job today. In my mind, I couldn’t let them down.”
Both teams probably aren’t thrilled with their overall play, and the first game is always a feeling out affair… but the Canucks are up 1-0 right now heading into Friday’s game. Game ones aren’t indicative of how a series will play out, and everyone is still clamoring for Edmonton to win, but the Canucks seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulder after being written off by so many people.
“Some guys don't even read the media,” Zadorov said. ”I mean, I do. It's extra motivation. I see what they’re doing; (Edmonton) has two of the best players in the world on that side, and guys want to see them win.
“Every media person, every individual who ever works in the hockey industry, they have their own opinions. We can’t control them. We can control what we can control inside the room. It's our work ethic. It's showing up every day, working hard and playing for each other. If we keep doing that through the series, through the whole playoffs, good things will happen.”
Lindholm echoed the sentiment:
“I think we're in a good spot to be the underdog,” he said. “Obviously, a lot of people didn't think we would go through Nashville. You know, Nashville is one of the better teams since halfway through the season. But we like being the underdog. It's fine. I think people in here know how good of a team we are. We don't listen too much to the outside. I think this team is realizing that we have a shot.”
They have a legitimate shot, and they have all the belief they can make it.
“We're trying to win a Stanley Cup,” Garland explained. “That's enough fuel for anybody. We're all focused and we're ready to play.”
They better be, because the crowd is going to be even more rowdy come Friday night.
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