[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks // December 17, 2023

[NewbieCanuckFan]

49 minutes ago, Sophomore Jinx said:

But some of us here are old, we can't wait that long while the hourglass keeps emptying

Alflives told me to seal him in Formaldehyde so he'll be perfectly perserved for that day when the Canucks win the Cup.

[Sophomore Jinx]

Just now, NewbieCanuckFan said:

Alflives told me to seal him in Formaldehyde so he'll be perfectly perserved for that day when the Canucks win the Cup.

Formaldehyde, cryogenics, it's all good, all the same

[Alflives]

1 minute ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

Alflives told me to seal him in Formaldehyde so he'll be perfectly perserved for that day when the Canucks win the Cup.

[sxqhfeh]

Canucks played just good enough to win, no complaints, best game by Petey in 6 weeks, he got a real shot on net and a goal! 3rd line with another outstanding game

[spook007]

1 hour ago, CanuckFanForever said:

Terrible win

 

Should have never been this close against Chi 

 

If it was playoff team it would have been a lose

Says who?

[NewbieCanuckFan]

Just now, sxqhfeh said:

Canucks played just good enough to win, no complaints, best game by Petey in 6 weeks, he got a real shot on net and a goal! 3rd line with another outstanding game

I still maintain he's been playing with an undisclosed injury.  No other logical explanation.  He'll be back to his usual self.  That I have no doubt.

[Chon derry]

2 minutes ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

Alflives told me to seal him in Formaldehyde so he'll be perfectly perserved for that day when the Canucks win the Cup.

Alf doesn’t need much of anything else.He’s  pretty much pickled as it is. 

[Captain Kirk]

Don't care how ugly the wins are...a wins a wins a win.

[NewbieCanuckFan]

Just now, Captain Kirk said:

Don't care how ugly the wins are...a wins a wins a win.

That's kind of how I treat getting a date on a weekend.

[Barnstorm]

2 hours ago, BIGGESTCANUCKSFANEVER said:

 

This was accomplished 3 days ago on Dec 14 with a 4-0 win over the Panthers .

 

My apologies @Captain Kirk @Bure10Kuzmenko96 and @BIGGESTCANUCKSFANEVER

your post is correct.  Today was in fact the 20th regulation time season win for Vancouver. 

Edited December 18, 2023 by Barnstorm

[Sophomore Jinx]

1 minute ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

That's kind of how I treat getting a date on a weekend.

"I've never dated a "10", but I've had five "2's"

[Wilbur]

3 minutes ago, Captain Kirk said:

Don't care how ugly the wins are...a wins a wins a win.

Yep, while you don't want all of them to be ugly this was an afternoon game and the 2nd of back to backs, so if you have to put lipstick on this pig to get the 2 points, you do it and run.  The next one can be pretty.

[spook007]

1 hour ago, 24K said:

What did we do to the schedule maker for them to hate us like this.

 

February is even worse with another set of 10am b2b games and Monday 11am.

They have a rest day in between... matters

 

[Amebushi]

Gotta get some greasy wins too. I don’t like the way the guys started but it’s tough to argue 3/4 points on a weekend. I like the physical play this team is starting to show. Having the big bodies on D has really changed the dynamic and identity of this team. Zads and Myers look like a decent second pairing and I will happily admit that I was wrong about them working well together. The third line just keeps chipping in and all the stars did their part too. 

[JamesB]

Not exactly dominating performances this weekend, but getting 3 points out of 4 in a road back-to-back has to be viewed as very successful.

 

My comments on today's game.

 

1. As against Minny, the Canucks got off to a bad start with the shot clock 10-0 against (and the score 1-0) before they got their first shot about halfway through the period. Today, however, the Canucks were fortunate to get a late PP goal just after a 5-on-3 PP ended. Nice set-up by Miller and nice shot by Petey on the play.

 

2. In the second period Chicago got an early PP goal to restore the lead but after that the Canucks completely dominated the 2nd period, taking a 4-2 lead. And, in the third, the Canuck did what they done all year-- shut down to the other team to improve their record to 18-0 when leading after two periods. Chicago had only 3 shots at 5-on-5 in the third period.

 

3. Overall, it was a solid win and Demko did not have to be a hero.

 

4. The shots were nearly even (28-26 for Chicago) but one thing I have noticed is that the Canucks rarely go for the clear shot, always looking for the deflection or cross seam pass. I am not sure how much of this is individual playing style and how much is from the coaches. But, given the way they are playing, it is not surprising that they have a high shooting percentage and high PDO. We have seen some extreme cases, like Miller (last game) and Kuzy (a while back) not shooting from good positions in the low slot and going for the pass (unsuccessfully) instead.  This might be a good strategy. It is consistent with the observation that the Canucks are above the 70th percentile in O-zone time even though they are below the median in shots taken. The Canucks do not waste shots.

 

5. Turning to the lines, Tocchet made some changes, putting Petey and Mik with Suter. That line was excellent, completely dominating in the advanced stats with an expected goal share exceeding 90%. That means they generated quite a few good chances (including a nice goal) and gave up virtually nothing. Blueger, Joshua, and Garland were also very good and got another nice goal. That line continues to be a really nice positive surprise (to me at least).

 

6. Miller and Boeser were back with Hogs and that line did not do well statistically, even though Boeser scored again and Miller got two assists.  Petey and Miller each had about 6 minutes of 5-on-5 time against Bedard and Blueger had almost 4. There was no "hard match" today. The new look 4th line (Aman with Kuzy and Lafferty) did not play much and did not do well statistically (or on the eye test). But it was a good performance from the forwards overall, with excellent buy-in in trying to play "the right way" (especially after a tough first period).

 

7. On D, Myers and Zadorov had an excellent day. The were both +3 and Myers had two assists. And they looked good, carry the puck with confidence and making good decisions. Hughes' range is from good to outstanding. Today he was very good. I notice that Hronek has not been able to maintain his high level of play. He was close to the bottom in the expected goal % stat on Natural Stat Trick today. He was at fault on the first goal as he was stripped of the puck behind the net and then did not cover the passing lane to the shooter. And I noticed several other misplays. And he had no hits today. He is still good, but maybe not as good as some of the hype has been suggesting. A lot of his good performance is due in part to playing with Hughes. Cole continues to be solid -- very nice UFA signing. Juulsen struggled more today than he has recently. The Corsi clock was 18-6 against at 5-on-5 today with Juulsen on the ice.

 

8. Overall, a very positive weekend in my view. I continue to be impressed by the Canucks defensive structure and their ability to close out games. Credit to the coaches.  And no more "morning" starts please.

[spook007]

1 hour ago, -dlc- said:

And I love that we have Big Z on our team. Juulsen and Joshua too. (and Miller, always of course). We're much harder to play against.

 

Add Cole and Soucy as well.... We are a far harder team to play against.

[spook007]

1 hour ago, Barn Burner said:

I thought that was Eddie Vedder who wrote that song! 

Where is Eddie Vedder these days?.... on holiday?

[PhillipBlunt]

Reese Johnson is a little bitch. 

[Chon derry]

1 minute ago, PhillipBlunt said:

Reese Johnson is a little bitch. 

Yes he is……

 

[Alflives]

3 minutes ago, Amebushi said:

Gotta get some greasy wins too. I don’t like the way the guys started but it’s tough to argue 3/4 points on a weekend. I like the physical play this team is starting to show. Having the big bodies on D has really changed the dynamic and identity of this team. Zads and Myers look like a decent second pairing and I will happily admit that I was wrong about them working well together. The third line just keeps chipping in and all the stars did their part too. 

Alf can admit when his empties were wrong. Garland is not a cheap plastic gnome. He’s 100% concrete. He’s been driving our third line. He’s been very good. With him driving the third line we have three legit scoring lines. Each one is good enough to carry the offence if the other two aren’t going. I’m thinking Garden Gnome (of the concrete variety) ain’t going anywhere, unless it’s a big time offer. 

[Blue]

1 hour ago, BPA said:

When will Kuz get back onto EP line?  Seems like he’s not doing much on the 4th line.

He can't do much on the 4th line. He is there for punishment. The 4th line is his abbotsford 

[Alflives]

6 minutes ago, spook007 said:

Add Cole and Soucy as well.... We are a far harder team to play against.

Very good work by Allvin and company retooling the D. 

[-dlc-]

4 minutes ago, PhillipBlunt said:

Reese Johnson is a little bitch. 

Love how mouthy he got AFTER he was in the protective arms of the ref.

 

Big man stuff when Zadorov's out of reach.

[Alflives]

4 minutes ago, spook007 said:

Where is Eddie Vedder these days?.... on holiday?

Fishing in the Senator’s pond. 

[spook007]

23 minutes ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

Alflives told me to seal him in Formaldehyde so he'll be perfectly perserved for that day when the Canucks win the Cup.

Think it's more likely to be alcohol....