After their great win against Vegas the other night, the Canucks stumbled into an OT loss to the tired team formerly-known-as-Arizona. The Canucks were lethargic the first two periods, and finally turned it on after going down 3-1 early in the third. But on a night like last night, it was too little too late. Here are your highlights:
The Canucks couldn’t manufacture another come-from-behind win, but also probably shouldn’t have put themselves in that position to begin with. The Coyotes are dwelling in the basement of the league, 32 points behind the Canucks now, and were coming off a game the night before and news that they’re not long for Arizona (finally). It was Lindholm’s first game after missing seven with a wrist injury, and he didn’t seem too jazzed about how the team played.
“The way we played today wasn't playoff hockey and wasn't good enough,” he said. “And, obviously, we have three more games here to put ourselves in a good spot and feel good about our game and get some confidence. Obviously, we're going to play good teams, so it's going to be a big stretch here for us.”
Captain Hughes was a little more blunt: “I don’t think it’s really a team that’s better than us, so we probably shouldn’t be in that position.”
Tocchet was also not so happy with the team. Some would say frustrated with their effort.
“Just too many missed shots,” Tocc lamented. The Canucks had 29 missed shots on 75 shot attempts. “I didn't think we went to the net the first two periods. The third period we had urgency. You've just got to be ready to go.”
Maybe this is just being an inexperienced team this time of year. Maybe it’s looking too far ahead. Maybe this team is just inconsistent. Some players felt it wasn’t that bad, though, and they’ll be able to turn it on when they need to.
“I liked how we battled back,” Myers said. “We have a different look as a team when we put it in our heads that we're going to turn it on. But we have to find a way to come out with that mentality to start the game. I don't think we were bad (through two periods) but we're a different team when we decide we're going to play at our best. We showed it in the third, but it was just a little too late. We have to keep pushing. Some good things, but some things to clean up tonight. It's going to be a fun one next game.”
The problem is turning it on like a switch. Some teams can do that, some teams can’t. And if they’re waiting for the playoffs to do it… one hopes it just isn’t too late. Some are optimistic about it, though.
“I think we'll be ready to ramp it up once it starts,” Soucy told reporters. “We're obviously looking to be at our best, but I think once the intensity of playoffs (arrive), that's good for our team and we'll match it.”
It was great to see Petey get a power play goal, and Garland continue to work his magic this team of year. However, a good place to start building that playoff intensity would be on Saturday, against the Oilers, in a game that basically boils down to winning the division. The Oil have made up all the ground to close in on the Canucks, so this is more-or-less for all the marbles.
I’m sure the comments will be brigaded by those dirty Alberta lovers, but try and keep things civil.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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