Ah, sweet victory. The Canucks beat the visiting Leafs 2-1 on Saturday night. It’s a good feeling for the Canucks’ first back-to-back home wins on the season, and even better just because it’s the Leafs. If you missed the game, here are your highlights:
The Canucks looked more energized and aggressive compared to their listless win in San Jose the other night. Top-to-bottom great efforts by a team that seems to be finding its groove in the post-JT Miller era. Petey looked way more like his former self, Hronek had a goal and assist and was visible everywhere, Boeser got the game winner on a powerplay, and Lankinen shored up the net after Demko went down with a first period injury. The addition by subtraction wave is really starting to kick in now… and the boys are doing this without Hughes at the moment!
“Lately, you know, the game plan has been good, and I just see a lot of buy-in,” Tocchet said post-game. “When you play 82 games, you’re gonna have some stinkers and you win. Like San Jose, we obviously didn’t like our game, but we grinded it out… find different ways to win. You know that’s what good teams, resilient teams do. Gotta win ugly.
“But we’re an ugly winning team, which I’ll take all day long.”
The Canucks hit a few posts last night, and probably should have had a few more goals. But they’re playing so well defensively right now that they don’t need to outscore their mistakes on the backend. The team is gelling right now, which is great overall, so we’ll have to see how this two week break is going to impact that.
“Part of me wants it to keep going,” Tocchet told reporters Saturday night, “but I do think this team needs a little bit of a reset. Just get away. I think we just need... some guys to get away from hockey. But yeah, I mean, we're playing some pretty good hockey. I think the depth of our team is really helping our team. And the play without the puck, I mean... since Christmas, the shots against, the goals against — Toronto, one goal, Colorado, no goals — those are things you've got to hang your hat on, you know? I think that's what guys have to be proud of.”
Maybe the break will be good to get the ghosts out of the locker room, so when the guys come back it’s a completely fresh start. It seems, though, that the vibes are already starting to turn around.
“I don't know if it's the new dudes or just playing more together,” Pettersson said of the team’s surge. “I don't know, but I just think we're clicking more. Everybody is playing the same, hard way. We always talk about being smart with the puck. Good to go in with three straight wins for the break, but a lot of work ahead.”
“Yeah, I think the room is great,” Lankinen said. “And like I said, everybody's buying in on the ice. We're playing really solid defensively. We don't give up much, we don't give up a lot of shots (or) a lot of Grade-As. So I think that's a good recipe for winning. And then when we get Quinn back, we'll be even more dangerous. I'm just really happy to be part of this group right now.”
The Canucks are really happy Lankinen is part of the group too. Without him the Canucks would be in the bottom bit of the standings, definitely not sitting alone in the wild card spot they are right now. It’s been a bit tough for Lankinen to sit the past couple game with Demko playing lights out, but after Demmer tweaked something in the game Lankinen was the consummate pro stepping in and stepping up for the team.
“Well, he's done it all year,” Tocchet said. “That's why he's such a professional. I had a good talk with him today, and I'm sure he was disappointed he hasn't played in the last game or two. And he doesn't, you know, complain or wine. But I told him today, 'You should be upset.' I've been there as a player. But he does it in a great way. He's a true professional. And to go in there. . . some goalies can't do that. He's one of those guys that can go in really cold and give you some minutes.”
As for Demko, the break comes at a good time for him. Tocc doesn’t think the injury is severe, but maybe these next two weeks he can recover and heal whatever ails him… and when he’s back maybe Tocchet can not ride him into the ground.
“No, he wasn't hurt (in warmup),” Tocc said of Demko. “It was just something that happened during the game. I don't think it's that serious. I don't know, from early reports. It's not the knee, so... we don't have to have you guys speculate. I don't think it's that serious, but we'll see.”
The NHL is off for two weeks for this 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. It’ll be a nice break for the boys who aren’t playing, and hopefully some fun for the guys who are. I’ll try and post a blog or two to keep things fresh, but for now enjoy the downtime and the tournament if you’re watching it!
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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