The Canucks played their most complete game at home on Thursday night. It might have been their most complete game of the year. The team finished their chances, did a great job defending, got solid goaltending when needed, and shutout the visiting Panthers for the first time this year. Add it up to a sweet 4-0 victory in JT Miller’s return to the team. Here are the highlights:
I’m not sure you could have drawn up Miller’s return any better. The team was on their game. Miller bagged a couple apples. The fans had a lot to cheer about. They got a shutout in a statement win over the cup champs. Not too shabby.
“Yeah, I think it was a big statement win for us,” Lankinen said. “Obviously, getting J.T. back was a huge boost for the team, and the way he came in and what kind of effort he put in was a big part of the win tonight. It's just huge. We're just really happy to have him back.”
Miller was eased back into the lineup a bit, only playing 14:17 in the game, but was matched mainly against Barkov on the night and did a good job shutting him down. It clearly meant a lot to the team to have him back, and also a lot to his linemate and good friend Boeser.
“It brings a big lift to our team,” Boeser said of Miller’s return, “and just makes our team a lot deeper when he's in the lineup. Yeah, it was awesome. It doesn't surprise me. He's such an elite player, and he shows what he can do night in and night out. He was great for us.”
While it was great to have Miller back to solidify their lineup, one of the biggest engines of the early season kept on chugging along. Lankinen posted his third shutout of the season in his 14th win in 21 starts. Before this season he only had three shutouts his entire career. He’s been a rock back there, and it’s nice to see Tocc turn back to him even after Demko’s return.
“Honestly, I didn’t know he was this good,” Blueger said of Lankinen. “He’s been sensational for us, and to have him and Demmer as a tandem is pretty incredible.”
It’s a formidable one-two punch once Demko shakes off the remaining rust.
While Lankinen was great last night, it was definitely one of the more rounded defensive efforts last night. The whole team shut down one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL, and the coaches noticed.
“I thought they were really good boxing out,” Tocchet said of his defence corps. “That’s one of the best teams in the league at getting to the net, they got some really heavy guys.”
Even Maurice talked about it post-game, saying the Canucks forced them into bad shots.
“Our selection with the puck in the offensive zone was unusual at times. But hey, they played hard. They defended very, very well in front of their net.”
Overall, a fantastic team effort. Miller’s line was good, Petey’s line got caved a little bit on the night but that happens, Sasson showed his moxy with his speed and a couple assists, Friedman was getting under the skin of a few Panther players, Boeser scored in his 500th game… it was the kind of game the team needs to replicate going forward.
“We played to our identity,” Blueger said. “We executed well, played together. We were all connected defensively and through the neutral zone. I think it's kind of a combination of things coming together, and it's just something we need to build on. I think if we get those details dialed in, we'll give ourselves a chance against any team.”
They’ll be able to test that Saturday night against the incoming Bruins.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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