The Canucks put in a pretty complete and pretty dominant effort Tuesday night against the banged-up basement-dwelling Blackhawks. This was a potential perfect let-down game for the league-leading Canucks at the end of a road trip, but this team feels different from years past and they flexed their muscles enough to end their trip on a high. Here are your highlights:
Well that was a dominant effort by the third line. Six points for them all, two goals from Garland, and a Gordie Howe hat trick from Joshua. They’ve been the most consistent line all season, they play hard and tenacious hockey, they provide solid depth scoring, and you’d have to be crazy to think to break them up at any point. They’re also a pretty humble trio: no spotlight treatment, definitely no line naming for them. Just a bunch of lunch pail players. How did they see the game and trip shake out?
“For the most part we were good and on top of things and didn’t give them a whole lot,” said Joshua post-game. “We were able to keep our composure and squeak out a win. It’s just nice that we have a deep offensive team. On any given night, there are guys who can step up and who you can count on.”
And Garland?
“Yeah, good road trip for us, 3-1-1,” he said. “We played some good hockey, and it’s good to kind of have that record after the All-Star break. We just have a really tough push the rest of the way, so we’ll be ready to go.”
Work work work. Even Tocc was happy with it all: “I thought it was a businesslike game, some good lines. I thought the Garland line, obviously, was really good. I thought Juulsen was really good tonight. I thought he was excellent. Got our two points, 3-1-1, and we get back home to Vancouver.”
That’s it for the game: clean, businesslike, assertive. The Canucks are taking care of the teams they should be. It’s a real nice change.
The third line trio have each potted 20 points in the last 29 games. They’re contributing, and they’re a line that Tocc doesn’t have to worry about. They’re set for this year, but Joshua is a UFA at the end of the season. MacIntyre thinks he’s the most important UFA to re-sign this offseason. Which is interesting.
As well, reports came out and were confirmed that the Canucks are taking a look at signing Phil Kessel. He’ll be reporting down to Abbotsford so they can evaluate him and see how he plays. He hasn’t played in 10 months, and wasn’t a dominant performer his last couple years. He’s unlikely to drawn into the top 6, and seems like not the best fit in the bottom 6. He’s very familiar with Allvin, Rutherford, and Tocchet, though, so we’ll have to see how this shakes out. I did read a list, though, of the best players between ages 35 and 37 whose initials were P and K who were still unsigned, and he came out at the top. A bit specific, but a good ranking nonetheless. If you’re interested in seeing the rest of the list, you can: HERE
Anywho, the Canucks are back in action Thursday for a rematch with the Wings. It’ll be Zadorov’s first game back after his suspension against the Wings, so it will hopefully be a spicy matchup.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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