The Canucks lost to the Red Wings on Sunday night in snowy Vancouver 3-2 in OT. The Canucks controlled a lot of the play, and won the shot clock battle by a tune of 27-18… but it wasn’t enough to beat the Wings. With a lot of new faces in the lineup, it was a good start for the club as they chart a new path forward. Here are the highlights:
Sure, the Wings were a tired opponent coming into Vancouver, but they’re also 14-2-1 since their coaching change in December… they’ve been rolling. It was a decent game from most of the Canucks, and the new faces definitely made an impression: Chytil scored the game-tying goal in the third, and M Pettersson logged a solid 25:57 in the affair (mainly thanks to Hughes sitting out with a leg injury). It’s always hard incorporating a new face or two, but the Canucks took in three regulars and shipped out three of them. It’s gonna take a little time to adjust to a six person shift. But overall, the team was happy to turn the page and get to work on the rest of the season.
“A lot of new guys since last game,” Myers said. “I thought they did an unbelievable job stepping in. They look very comfortable. Our room was really good tonight. We stuck with it, even though we were down for most of the game and Cheats (Sportnet’s editor’s note: we are unsure at this time how to spell Filip Chytil’s nickname) made a great play to tie it up. We did a lot of good things tonight and had a lot of good energy.
“Guys did a great job of trying not to let that other stuff get to them. But, you know, there's always thoughts about what's going to happen with all that was being talked about. I think everyone's excited to move forward and move forward as a group and find ways to be competitive. It was a good start tonight.”
Clearly the whole drama has been weighing on the team. Now that it’s (mostly) in the past and the media attention is subsiding, they can focus on building towards something together.
“Probably there's just a sense of relief a little bit,” Sherwood said. “I think there was a lot that was probably hanging over the whole team for a long time. So definitely a spark (with the trades). Good character guys and good hockey players, so we're excited to have them.”
The new guys brought speed and composure, and from all accounts they’re great character guys. It will be interesting to see how the room responds now. As for the game, Tocc was happy with how the team played – especially given the newbies.
“I thought we controlled the game,” said Tocchet. “The new guys played well and a lot of positives tonight. Chytil controlled play and wanted the puck and he can make plays off the rush. And, obviously a big goal and a good debut for him.”
Chytil was really solid in his debut. He finished with 20:03 of ice time, three shots and a 9-3 record on faceoffs, considerable bumps from his third line duties in New York. He was happy with the expanded role, and even happier to pot one in his debut.
“It was a huge for myself,” Chytil said. “This first game, you go into the game with not many expectations. Just go in with instincts, playing the game (the way) I know I can play. I was very happy that I scored.”
He broke down his goal, mentioning the need for the team to score when they had that much pressure going… which is great to hear from a new acquisition.
“There were players in front of me, and even behind, and there wasn’t an open lane to shoot right away,” said Chytl. “I was holding the puck as long as I could and happy it went in. It meant a lot to me in that moment. So many emotions in my head. I want to keep working and be even better than today.
“For the first game, it went well and there are a lot of things to build. We play like this, most of the nights we’re going to win the game. The third period was the best for us, so much pressure in the offensive zone, but we need to score.”
Harman Dayal had an interesting thought over on the Athletic about Chytil. Chytil’s really good at controlled zone entries, and the Canucks have been more of a dump and chase kind of team under Tocchet. It will be worth watching which way that changes as Chytil integrates himself more into the system here:
Chytil and O’Connor combined for 16 offensive zone entries with possession, which was a refreshing change from the club’s typical dump-and-chase style. Watching the progress of these two newcomers — Chytil especially, because he has a more proven track record of transporting play up the ice with control — will be an interesting litmus test of Tocchet’s system and playing style.
If Chytil’s zone entries with possession decline the more he learns and adjusts to Vancouver’s system, it’ll be a clear sign that the coaching staff is implementing a play style that has a negative impact on dynamic, skilled forwards’ ability to attack off the rush. On the other hand, if Chytil continues to impress in transition, it’s a sign the club’s lethargic rush attack may be tied more to personnel rather than the system.
Overall, the message after the game was one of change. Drama behind them, tighten up the locker room and work together moving forward. Everyone seems to have a bit more energy now, “freshness” as Tocchet said.
“There's some guys that have not had . . . the year that they want,” Tocchet said. “There's plenty of games to turn the page and refresh. So as much as for the whole team to refresh, other guys can, too. ‘OK, we've got the trades and stuff over for now, and this is our team. So . . . we start at zero.’ I think sometimes if you do that, you reset.”
“There was a lot of noise with all that stuff going on,” Myers said. “I know Millsy is excited for a fresh start, and for us to get a fresh start as well in the room. I think it was good for everybody. You just push forward and keep working hard.”
Of note: Hughes missed the game with a lower body injury. Tocchet said he wanted to play but they held him out just to be extra cautious. Also, Kiefer Sherwood threw 7 hits last night and snagged the record for most hits in a Canucks season… and there’s still like 30 games left.
The Canucks play next Tuesday against the Avs.
NOTE: Do not talk politics in the main blog. There’s a separate page for that. Keep it to hockey. No tariffs, no anthems, no Trump, none of that.
Quotes from the Province, the Athletic, and Sportsnet.
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