Canucks Game Day: Struggling senators need to be the ointment to heal their wounds

tomtidgewellNovember 8, 2022

The Vancouver Canucks will visit the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, November 8th at 4pm.

Quinn Hughes (left) and Josh Norris, who have been friends for many years and will not be returning to the Canadian Tire Center on Tuesday, will be competing for the pack at the April 2021 NHL game at Rogers Arena. A torn shoulder labrum. Photo by Rich Lam /Getty Images File

Vancouver Canucks (3-6-3, 6th Pacific)
Ottawa Senators (4-7-0, 8th in Pacific)

where and when: Tuesday, 4pm, Canadian Tire Center.

See and hear: tv set: SN Pacific. wireless: Sports net 650.

It’s not that the sky is falling, as optimists point out that the current 3-1-1 run has some good stuff in it. However, dark clouds could once again be gathering over the horizon for his important five-match road trip.

When the Canucks took an early 3-0 lead in the season opener in Edmonton, winger JT Miller said there was nothing to worry about despite a disappointing 5-3 setback. Hat-trick dagger.

“They really had nothing. It was 5 vs 5 and they controlled the whole game,” says Miller. “We had some injuries, but we played really well. Tonight’s stuff is fixable — that’s for sure.

The Canucks won 8-1 on the power play, stole three goals on penalty kills, and then went 0-3-2 in five games, digging an early hole in the Pacific Division.

As the Canucks took a 3-0 lead against Nashville at Rogers Arena on Saturday, Miller made a similar refrain following a 4-3 shootout retreat.

“We’re tired of the team coming back, but it’s not all bad and we’re a lot closer than people think. Adversity for us is good in the long run.” That’s it.”

Here are some points to ponder before your Tuesday brawl.

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko stopped Nashville Predators' Michael Granland in the first period of Saturday's game at Rogers Arena. — Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko stopped Nashville Predators’ Michael Granland in the first period of Saturday’s game at Rogers Arena. Photo by Darryl Dyke /canadian press

The end result is too many failures

For a goalie, communication with the defense is everything.

When they have it, downlow coverage is more consistent and breakouts are more seamless. Too many Grade A scoring chances, and a wide open backdoor to easily tapped-in goals.

A classic example came in the Predators’ third goal on Saturday.

Tyler Myers dragged the play, Conor Garland chased a rushing Matthias Ekholm around the Canucks, and Riley Stillman left the near post to break possession.

Ekholm feathered a backhander from behind the cage between Stillman’s skates and lunged to the side of the net to find an untouched Nino Niederreiter. His first shot was stopped, but Myers rebounded down at the far post.

Of course, all these other parts are the stoppers that come to the rescue, and this is where Thatcher Demko has to steal the game on this outing, especially when there’s a breakdown in sight.

His numbers have been numbing compared to his 2021-22 career season, establishing career marks in appearances (64), wins (33) and goals conceded (2.72).

Demco ranks 60th in save percentage with a .879 and 59th in GAA with a 3.90. It speaks of slight deviations in positioning, reading and reaction in constant tool changes for demanding jobs with no room for error.

“It really comes from patience,” said Canucks goalkeeping coach Ian Clarke. A major muscle group is lost when heading to the knee.

“The ability to have quick, quick, light feet gives you the confidence to keep your footwork close to the net and keep the man from slipping while carrying the puck.”

No Norris, no senators

Ottawa is bottom of the Atlantic Division and boasts the third worst record in the league. How did this come about? After teasing a potential last season, weren’t the Senators supposed to be the breakout team?

One player is not on the team, but last month’s loss to Josh Norris to a torn labrum was a devastating blow.

The Center led the club last season with 35 goals, including 16 goals in power plays, which ranked third in the NHL and 13th best eight game winners.

Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Norris are best friends. They live 20 minutes away from her in Michigan and spend a lot of time together during the offseason.

The competitive union between Hughes and Norris began when they joined the US National Development Team program for the 2015-16 season. After two seasons with the U-17 team and his U-18 team, they participated in two more campaigns at the University of Michigan.

Big winger Brady Tkachuk, meanwhile, has a heavy load to handle lowdowns, scoring 16 points (6-10) in 11 games, the only senator in the league’s top 60 and ranked 14th. . Next up is Drake He is Bazarson, with 11 points (3-8) slot him 65th.

The Senators are scoring 3.46 goals per game (10th) and their power plays are working with an efficiency of 18.4% (26th). They lost to Philadelphia on Saturday 2–1, largely as a result of his 0–5 power play.

Former Canucks winger Zach McEwen was the winner for the Flyers, while Cam Talbot made his first start of the season for the Senators, finishing with 26 saves.

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