I could probably just copy and paste the post-Vegas blog into this one and there wouldn’t be much difference. Sloppy play. Lackluster offense. Bad penalties. Great goaltending. The Canucks have all the opportunity to secure a playoff spot down the stretch here, and they’re unwilling to grab it. Here are your highlights:
This was always going to be a tough road trip coming out of the break, especially against divisional and conference foes (and without Quinn Hughes). Everyone is vying for a playoff spot. The Canucks are barely just holding onto one at the moment, but they’re losing ground on those above them and now giving points to those chasing them. Such as the story goes this year for the Canucks: struggling offense, great goaltending, just not enough.
A lot of attention has been put on Petey for his struggles – and rightfully so – but the whole forward group is ghosting at the moment as well: Boeser has two goals and no assists in six games in February. Sherwood and Suter also have just two points apiece this month. Chytil has looked far less dangerous after the break than before it. It confirms what we all know: the team runs through Hughes. But, that shouldn’t stop them from at least putting up shots and generating some level of chances.
“Obviously, when you have Quinn out, we need people to step up and we need to find ways to produce,” Boeser said. “Personally, I feel like we're trying just to make a lot of plays, like in the middle of the ice when it's not there. I think we could maybe get our cycle game going a little bit more and off of that, then we can create our shots. And when we do get some looks, I feel like we don't have great netfront (traffic) right now. I feel like the goalie is seeing a lot of shots.”
There’s lots of blame to go around this season, from management to coaching to players. Tocc usually runs a more defensive-minded team, but the lack of scoring can’t solely be blamed on his system when the team is missing the net so damn much.
“The frustrating thing is we had 20 shots blocked, and 16 miss the net, and we’re struggling to score goals,” said Tocchet. “You’ve got to move your feet and change angles and hit the net. I’d rather guys take a little off it and hit the net. We’re double-clutching and that’s a lack of confidence.
“And when you don’t score, everything (including taking penalties) is magnified. We have to sort that out.”
Of course, having Petey play up to his level would be a welcome addition to the team. A needed one. Tocc touched on that after the game.
“We've talked about he has to move his feet, and can't double clutch (with the puck),” he said. “I think he's waiting for something. I don't know if it's a lack of confidence in his shot, but as soon as he has room, he's got to take it and . . . just got to blast it. I'd rather him just rip a puck right now. He's not moving his feet. I thought today, some shifts he was moving his feet and it looked like we had some glimpses. But six-on-five there at the end, it's the same thing, waiting. If he just takes three or four strides . . . I don't know if it's a mental block right now, all year, but he's got to move his feet.”
Petey was asked by reporters about his confidence being a factor in shooting the puck, and he replied: “It's more annoying dealing with the media.”
Yikes.
On the plus side Silovs looked great in his return to the crease. He had a tough start to the year, but seemed like his old self last night.
“He was really good and I’m proud of him,” Tocchet said. “He had a tough year at the start, and that start was good for him.”
“I felt good,” said Silovs. “Guys did a good job in front of me on the penalty kill covering their dangerous guys and boxing out pretty well. We just have to keep going.”
Also on the positive, newly-acquired Mancini played his first game for the big club. He got a lot of sheltered minutes and easier assignments, but overall didn’t stick out in a good way and did all the things he was asked to do. Tocchet seems like a fan, and they’ll need his size and speed on the backend come playoffs (whichever year that is).
“Big kid, has a bomb of a shot, moves the puck well and skates,” said Tocchet. “We want young guys and we want to give him a chance.”
The Canucks have a couple days off before playing in LA on Wednesday. Hopefully they can get their stuff together and come out on time against a team they’re chasing.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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