It was a sleepy start for an early game, but the Canucks did what they needed to do for a 5-4 OT win in Motown on Sunday. The team is finding their resilience with a number of key players out, mainly on the backs of Lankinen, Hughes, Pettersson, and the hot-handed DeBrusk. If you missed the game, here ya go:
A solid team win, yet again on the road. The Canucks are playing a little Jekyll and Hyde at the moment: they’re 10-2-0 as the away team, but 3-5-3 at home. Lankinen set an NHL record for being 10-0 to start the season on the road. DeBrusk – he who potted his second career hatty yesterday – has scored all 10 of his goals on the road, after not scoring at all in his first nine games. The Canucks also gave up the first goal, and blew another third period lead, yet still managed to win the game. Overall, they’re very consistent in their inconsistency, but they’re grinding their way through it.
“I liked the fight, scoring with three minutes left and obviously the overtime and hanging in there,” said Tocchet. “And Jake. Three goals. What a night and a hell of a (winning) goal. That’s why we signed him, for those types of moments and he came through for us.
“We’re a scrappy team. It might not be pretty some nights but we don’t give up.”
A win’s a win, and while the team as a whole is generally playing better, I feel like the people getting the most praise – and deservedly so – are Lankinen and Hughes, followed by the surging Pettersson and DeBrusk. But man, the team wouldn’t be where they are without the first two.
Lankinen is probably the best dollar-for-performance contract in the NHL right now. He’s arguably the team MVP at the moment, and his calm, record-setting ways have shaped the early season for the Canucks. The team loves him.
“He’s a road warrior — I think he likes his hotel points,” joked Tocchet. “He’s been like that all year. He lives for the moment and another good effort.”
Lankinen didn’t know his 10 wins were even a thing.
“I had no idea,” Lankinen said. “No one else has gotten 10 [to start a season]? Ever?”
As for Hughes, he’s otherworldly every time he’s on the ice. Probably doesn’t get the media attention he deserves as he’s playing on the West Coast, but those Norris predictions are turning into Hart predictions with how dominant he’s been. On Sunday he set the franchise record for assists by a defenseman, surpassing Alex Edler on the way. Hughe’s three assists brought him to 313 in 388 games, while it took Edler 925 games to notch 310.
“It’s incredible, a great milestone,” Tocchet said. “Obviously if not the best defenceman in the league, he sure puts up a good argument because, what did I play him, 31 minutes tonight. The guy came into camp in shape, that’s why he plays 31 minutes.”
“Is (Hughes) going to steal my hat-trick puck?” DeBrusk joked. “I’ve never been with a player on the ice where, whenever he’s out there, you want to give him the puck because it’s probably going to come back to you in a better spot.”
Hughes was as humble as he normally is when presented with his accomplishments.
“It feels really great, and obviously was lucky enough to catch Eddie for two years here – great player, great teammate – it means a lot,” Hughes said. “As far as the record, I think I've just been able to play with some really great players. We saw the three goals Jake had tonight and the play Petey makes off the overtime one, so just really fortunate.”
Next game is Tuesday on the road (thankfully) in Minnesota.
Til then, comments:
Quotes from the Province, and NHL.com, and Canucks.com.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»