The Canucks squandered a 2-0 lead in the third period to the LA Kings, but were able to get the extra point in OT off Garland’s second goal of the game. It wasn’t the most exciting game, but they rarely are against the Kings. The Canucks needed those two points as they’re trying to keep their playoff spot in their control. If you missed the game…:
In Quinn Hughes’ return, the Canucks finally scored more than 1 goal. Hurrah. Not that Hughes was dominant out there – he’s still nursing his injury – but just his return gives the team some life. The Canucks did enough for the win and the much needed two points. LA has only dropped 9 of a possible 50 points at home this season, but the Canucks have accounted for 3 of those points so it’s a good thing as they’re trying to chase them down. The boys know how important these games are right now.
“We know where we're at,” Garland told reporters post-game. “We've got to win hockey games. When they scored two in the third, obviously you can get nervous. But we're a veteran group and guys enjoy that kind of hockey — that kind of tightness (in) a game, so it's nice to pull out a win like that.”
“We needed those points to get back on track here,” Lankinen said. “It feels like every game is like a playoff game now. That's our mentality, at least. I was proud of the battle tonight. The PK was unreal, and Mysie leading the way there in overtime, showing everybody what it takes to win. Just a huge, huge leadership example for us.”
It was what the team needed: a good gut-check kind of win. Like Lankinen said, from here on out it’s all basically playoff games for this team. They need different guys to step up, and last night it was Garland’s turn. He was his best annoying self last night, potting two goals, the game winner, and just being all around the puck all night.
“Garland was a beast tonight,” Hughes said, “and probably our best player in creating chances and being all over the ice and competitive. That’s what we’re going to need from him.”
“There was a bit of a spot there and I was fortunate to hit it,” said Garland. “It’s nice to contribute because wins are all that matters. We needed to get a win and it sets us up for another big game tomorrow (Thursday) and get on a roll.”
The Canucks can still finish this road trip 3-2 after dropping the pair to start. It’s a back-to-back against Anaheim tonight… so bad schedule but softer opponent. Hopefully the Canucks don’t play down to them. Either way, it’s great for the team to have Hughes back. They know how impactful he is, even when he’s injured.
“Top three player in the world, just fantastic,” said Garland. “A leader in the room and on the ice and he’s such a big boost for us.”
“The back to back, coming off the injury, I've got to be a little bit careful,” Hughes said. “I think I just felt good enough in warmups where I felt like I could, you know, play smart and get through the game. As the next couple of days go, (I want to) ramp my game up.”
For someone like Hughes, the time off was frustrating. It was the most severe injury of his career so far. He’s been out about four weeks, but with the break has only missed six games for the team.
“I mean, very frustrating,” Hughes said. “It's a slow process, day by day. I'm really thankful to our medical group who did a great job with me. I'm just going to have to keep building. Can't say I felt my best tonight, but I got through the game and hopefully I can build confidence from there.”
It wasn’t so clear-cut that he was going to play tonight, either. It was as late of a game-time-decision as there was.
“There was like 11 minutes (before taking to the ice) and Huggy called me in the medical room and we had a little bit of a talk,” said Tocchet. “He kind of persuaded me. We had about 90 seconds left to get the lineup in. The original plan was to play him 16 or 17 minutes.
“He’s our star player, but he’s also a calming influence for the guys.”
For the back-to-back, it looks like the Canucks will turn to Silovs for the start. Lankinen was great again last night, but after his time in the AHL and game the other night in Salt Lake, the team is comfortable turning back to Silovs.
“He was tracking the right way in Abbotsford,” Tocchet said of Silovs winning eight of his last nine starts with the Abbotsford Canucks. “He had some work against Utah and I saw a difference from beginning of the year. A calmer goalie and almost like a playoff style. We’re not scared to play him at all.”
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