Exactly. He will come back but I’m not sure he’ll be truly effective for a while. IMO, a more realistic expectation would be for Brock to pick up his game like Bo has. If he doesn’t then back to the third line for him.
- bloatedmosquito

Meh, the entire first line hasn't been great 5 on 5. Miller has had some flashes. Petey is spending half the time on his ass. Brock looks more like regular season Brock than Minny play-in Brock.

Hopefully TG can get some better match ups with the last change in the next two games and they can do more at even strength.

TT, if/when back, should slot in on the third line, JV back to the press box.

Meh, the entire first line hasn't been great 5 on 5. Miller has had some flashes. Petey is spending half the time on his ass. Brock looks more like regular season Brock than Minny play-in Brock.

Hopefully TG can get some better match ups with the last change in the next two games and they can do more at even strength.

TT, if/when back, should slot in on the third line, JV back to the press box.
- NewYorkNuck

Toffoli with Horvat and Pearson. Ericksson to fourth line with Beagle and Mott. MacKewen with Sutter and Roussell.

Toffoli with Horvat and Pearson. Ericksson to fourth line with Beagle and Mott. MacKewen with Sutter and Roussell.
- YeOldTimer

Canucks have won 5 in a row, with the second line contributing in a large way. Even though Toff isn't coming back for the next game, I think you'd be hard pressed to break up the top 2 lines right now.

Plus, if you put TT on the third line, that helps create match up problems.

He looks slow again and overwhelmed defensively. We need Toffoli If the team is going anywhere
- CanuckDon

I've got nothing against Tofolli and would welcome him back on the squad (can replace JV at this point), but I think Brock has played well overall in the past 6 games.

Canucks have won 5 in a row, with the second line contributing in a large way. Even though Toff isn't coming back for the next game, I think you'd be hard pressed to break up the top 2 lines right now.

Plus, if you put TT on the third line, that helps create match up problems.
- NewYorkNuck

This.

The only 2 i'd consider swapping out for TT is JV or ZacMAc.

As much as I like to pump the tires of Virtanen (and I still think he has potential to get going, score some goals and throw his weight around), i'd take him out for a healthy Toffoli to bolster that 3rd line with Sutter and Rooster.

Quiet morning at work today.
Hopefully get some quality NHL watching in.

I'd like to see the Yotes win a couple here to extend the series and wear down the Avs.

Canucks have won 5 in a row, with the second line contributing in a large way. Even though Toff isn't coming back for the next game, I think you'd be hard pressed to break up the top 2 lines right now.

Plus, if you put TT on the third line, that helps create match up problems.
- NewYorkNuck

Horvat and Pearson are certainly contributing, but I thought Ericksson struggled last game. Toffoli makes that line even more of a threat offensively in my opinion.

Quiet morning at work today.
Hopefully get some quality NHL watching in.

I'd like to see the Yotes win a couple here to extend the series and wear down the Avs.
- dbot

Crusaders and Blues cancelled, I was looking forward to the final game even though the championship has been decided.

This.

The only 2 i'd consider swapping out for TT is JV or ZacMAc.

As much as I like to pump the tires of Virtanen (and I still think he has potential to get going, score some goals and throw his weight around), i'd take him out for a healthy Toffoli to bolster that 3rd line with Sutter and Rooster.
- dbot

I don’t get the JV dislike. Again, I’m not a stat rat but when you look at the advanced calculations he’s doing well with and without the puck. Just hasn’t racked up those points. That will come. As long as they are healthy you stick with the players that have been playing. No need to change it up until injury or a bad loss.

Crusaders and Blues cancelled, I was looking forward to the final game even though the championship has been decided.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Yeah. Bummer for sure.
My colleague switched shifts to go watch the game.
Ce'st la vie.

Auckland is back in lockdown for the next 10 days or so due to the re-emergence of COVID cluster community transmission.

I don’t get the JV dislike. Again, I’m not a stat rat but when you look at the advanced calculations he’s doing well with and without the puck. Just hasn’t racked up those points. That will come. As long as they are healthy you stick with the players that have been playing. No need to change it up until injury or a bad loss.
- bloatedmosquito

Team has been playing pretty solid (clearly).
Big test tomorrow if Myers is indeed out.

Horvat and Pearson are certainly contributing, but I thought Ericksson struggled last game. Toffoli makes that line even more of a threat offensively in my opinion.
- YeOldTimer

From what I've read from TG and Bo, is that Loui does a lot for them defensively and makes the line more complete. Honestly, sometimes I see LE sitting on top of our D like a stopper in soccer.

So ya, he clearly isn't helping bring much offense, and TT would – but what's the line losing if they put TT on it? Probably a good amount of the match up and shut down ability TG is enjoying right now.

From what I've read from TG and Bo, is that Loui does a lot for them defensively and makes the line more complete. Honestly, sometimes I see LE sitting on top of our D like a stopper in soccer.

So ya, he clearly isn't helping bring much offense, and TT would – but what's the line losing if they put TT on it? Probably a good amount of the match up and shut down ability TG is enjoying right now.
- NewYorkNuck

Loui is so overdue to score.
He's had at least 3 glorious chances and will eventually cash in.
I've liked his play so far.

I don’t get the JV dislike. Again, I’m not a stat rat but when you look at the advanced calculations he’s doing well with and without the puck. Just hasn’t racked up those points. That will come. As long as they are healthy you stick with the players that have been playing. No need to change it up until injury or a bad loss.
- bloatedmosquito

It has to be something internal or behind the scenes we're not privy to, much more than just the stats we're seeing. He played 5:30 last game, and 9:30 the game before.

Don't hate JV, it's just not working for him one way or another.

Loui is so overdue to score.
He's had at least 3 glorious chances and will eventually cash in.
I've liked his play so far.

- dbot

I have no idea what happened, but the dude can't score. Just a complete drop off from scoring 30 to averaging 10 since. No confidence around the net anymore.

Sign him so him and Tree can be best friends in Russia
- NewYorkNuck

As a pair is that a forest?

It has to be something internal or behind the scenes we're not privy to, much more than just the stats we're seeing. He played 5:30 last game, and 9:30 the game before.

Don't hate JV, it's just not working for him one way or another.
- NewYorkNuck

He's not a penalty killer and the Blues had 6 power play opportunities. He plays second unit PP but Canucks only got three chances and the first unit scored on two of those. So special teams interrupted the flow of the game significantly and that had an impact on his icetime.

But he also didn't do much with the shifts he did get and that's been the big issue for years now. He has all the physical tools to be a dominant force, yet rarely seems to make much of an impact on his shifts. When the games are this important the coach is going to give the opportunity to the guys who are giving the team everything they have. I just don't see that from Virtanen.

The game where Boeser was fairly useless
- CanuckDon

I’m with you. Sure points but cuz of linemates not his play so much.

Yes we need TT to get LE out of there but you're off on BB. His line has been smothered pretty good by the Blues so he needs to adjust.
- NuckUp

Maybe lay out a few hits be nice.

My perception is that Makar commited errors on 3rd and 4th phoenix goals. Good for QH.

From what I've read from TG and Bo, is that Loui does a lot for them defensively and makes the line more complete. Honestly, sometimes I see LE sitting on top of our D like a stopper in soccer.

So ya, he clearly isn't helping bring much offense, and TT would – but what's the line losing if they put TT on it? Probably a good amount of the match up and shut down ability TG is enjoying right now.
- NewYorkNuck

Toffoli is also supposed to be a 200' player but clearly produces way more than Ericksson.

Blues are already getting outscored, so an added boost to the Canucks offensive punch could force Berube into going with more defensive play. That might help limit the Blues chances every bit as much as whatever magic it is that Ericksson is supposedly doing.

Strategies.

Toffoli is also supposed to be a 200' player but clearly produces way more than Ericksson.

Blues are already getting outscored, so an added boost to the Canucks offensive punch could force Berube into going with more defensive play. That might help limit the Blues chances every bit as much as whatever magic it is that Ericksson is supposedly doing.

Strategies.
- YeOldTimer

Feelings

He's not a penalty killer and the Blues had 6 power play opportunities. He plays second unit PP but Canucks only got three chances and the first unit scored on two of those. So special teams interrupted the flow of the game significantly and that had an impact on his icetime.

But he also didn't do much with the shifts he did get and that's been the big issue for years now. He has all the physical tools to be a dominant force, yet rarely seems to make much of an impact on his shifts. When the games are this important the coach is going to give the opportunity to the guys who are giving the team everything they have. I just don't see that from Virtanen.
- YeOldTimer

Agreed. I wonder if Jake honestly asked himself if he's giving everything he possibly can every time he touches the ice he would think so.

I saw the other day Aaron Donald (NFL) said that after watching the Michael Jordan documentary he realized how much more work he could do/isnt doing. Or something like that.

Toffoli is also supposed to be a 200' player but clearly produces way more than Ericksson.

Blues are already getting outscored, so an added boost to the Canucks offensive punch could force Berube into going with more defensive play. That might help limit the Blues chances every bit as much as whatever magic it is that Ericksson is supposedly doing.

Strategies.
- YeOldTimer

Blues have two very good top lines. Canucks are winning that battle right now.

Putting TT on the third line gives the Canucks a potential third line that can score more, and creates a bigger match up problem for the Blues. Instead of just loading two lines and going toe to toe, why not keep the two that are winning that fight right now and add a third to the mix?

Blues have two very good top lines. Canucks are winning that battle right now.

Putting TT on the third line gives the Canucks a potential third line that can score more, and creates a bigger match up problem for the Blues. Instead of just loading two lines and going toe to toe, why not keep the two that are winning that fight right now and add a third to the mix?
- NewYorkNuck

Solid reasoning if TT ready to go. I like that & worth a try.