For the first time in over a decade, the Vancouver Canucks entered the season as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
So, naturally, the Canucks are still winless to start the season.
Rick Tocchet made tweaks to his top two lines with hopes of kickstarting some offence. Unfortunately, his tinkering didn’t pay off, and the Canucks dropped their first road game of the season, losing 4-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
We weren’t ready to play in the first period,” Tocchet told reporters. “I didn’t think we won a battle. In the second and third, we had some chances but didn’t bury them, and you cant give a team like that a two-goal lead.”
“We just need some guys to pick it up.”
Conor Garland scored the Canucks lone goal in the loss.
The Canucks cranked up their intensity in the latter half of the contest, but they were unable to beat goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Russian netminder looks rejuvenated to begin the season after posting mediocre numbers in 2023-24. He’s won both his starts this season, allowing two goals combined.
Vancouver will attempt to get their first win of the season against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Thursday at 4:00pm PT.
Quiet frustration with Canucks’ Pettersson
While many in the Canucks fan base are vocally frustrated with the Elias Pettersson, the coaching staff has largely been quiet about Pettersson’s struggles.
After the loss to the Flyers, Tocchet admitted that Petey’s line was outplayed by the Blueger line. However, he also mentioned wanting to dial back his ice time after playing 23:34 in the opener.
Pettersson lined up with Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen for this contest, but the trio didn’t generate much at even-strength.
With the Canucks trailing by two goals late, Tocchet pulled Arturs Silovs in hopes that the Canucks could tie the game.
Pettersson was not one of the six Canucks players on the ice while the net was empty, even though he appeared to be on the bench.
Could that be a subtle shot at Pettersson for underperforming to start the season?
Garland, DeBrusk, Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller, Filip Hronek and Quinn were the six Canucks players on the ice. They didn’t accomplish anything without Pettersson, as Brandon Hagel buried an empty net goal with 1:46 to go in the game.
More to come…