You take ‘em when you can get ‘em. Maybe not the prettiest game against the best opponent, but after losing two and getting blown out in the last one, the Canucks will take the two points however they can as they try to right the ship. If you missed the game, here are your highlights:
The Canucks’ effort was markedly better than it was in their loss to the Devils the other night, which is a big positive. As the team is still finding its footing and identity, the biggest factor they can control is their effort. Last night’s win pushes the team to 5-2-3 through the first ten games, which isn’t a far cry from last year’s 7-2-1 ... but despite the two point difference it feels like a much wider gap at the moment. But, maybe dealing with some early adversity ala the Oilers last year will be helpful in the long run.
Overall, Tocchet seemed happy (or happier) with how the team played, especially after the Sharks tied it up late:
“We didn't crack after they tied the game,” Tocc said, “so I've got to give the guys a lot of credit. I think it was a really good effort. And it's a good one to win, that game. I thought we did some good things. Our forecheck was probably one of our best forechecks of the year. Too many odd-man rushes still. That's something we've got to really (stress) accountability. That's my only bone to pick, that we're losing that F3, diving in too much. Not as much as the game before, but not to the level that we want.”
The power play didn’t score, again, but at least it looked a little more direct and aggressive than it has so far. Even though they’re now 0 for 11 in their last few games, they put up eight shot-attempts through two opportunities last night. They’d been averaging a paltry 2.5 shot-attempts per two-minute segment coming into the game. Baby steps? Moral victories?
One playing who did bust their zero last night though was Jake DeBrusk. He sniped a goal in the third to put the Canucks up 2 to 1, and in doing so got that monkey off his back. The Canucks are gonna need him to pick up the secondary scoring aspect, so it was nice to see him get his first in Canucks colours… and he was relieved too.
“It's hard not to fixate on it,” DeBrusk said of his goal drought. “It's hard not to focus on it. There's so many different things and new things that kind of come with being on a new team, and just kind of getting used to everything. I think I'm getting a little more comfortable. But… every game that goes by, you just kind of feel it more and more. You always want to get the first one as fast as possible. It took me a lot longer than other guys, but I'm happy to help in a win.”
Funny enough, DeBrusk also scored his first goal last season on Nov. 2 for the Bruins.
“I actually saw that before the game,” he said. “And I was like, 'Oh, let's see if it's today.' So it was nice that it worked out that way. Hopefully I can get a couple more earlier next year, so that I know I have an automatic one on the second.”
The Canucks also put Aman on waivers yesterday to send him down to the baby Canucks. Whilst he hadn’t been lighting it up in the NHL, he’s a solid depth player that can suit up for games with the club. Hopefully he passes through and isn’t claimed by someone else.
The Canucks look to build on this slight bit of momentum when they play the Ducks on Tuesday. A couple days off in California this time of year isn’t the worst, so hopefully they get some solid practice in and come out for that game strong.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»