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The Vancouver Canucks had a golden chance on Saturday to close the gap with the Vegas Golden Knights, but instead, they left the rink feeling like they’d just missed the winning lottery ticket. It’s like going to Las Vegas and betting on black, only to see the ball land on red!
A Night of Missed Chances
In the world of hockey, Saturday night games are usually a big deal. However, this one felt like a side note compared to the thrilling Canada versus USA showdown in the Four Nations final just days earlier. But for the Canucks, this game was anything but insignificant.
On a hot streak of 6-1-1, the Canucks were finally catching up to the Knights in the Pacific Division playoff race. A win would have put them just seven points behind Vegas, with a game in hand. But as the saying goes, “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” Despite a lackluster start, the Canucks were tied 1-1 going into the third period, thanks to Kevin Lankinen’s stellar goaltending.
The Third Period Slip
Unfortunately, the Canucks gifted the Knights a goal just 18 seconds into the final period. It was like giving a kid cake before dinner—never a good idea! The Canucks dominated the last 15 minutes but failed to capitalize, eventually losing 3-1 and falling 11 points behind Vegas.
Canucks defenceman Marcus Pettersson summed it up: “We wouldn’t make plays when they were there, and we tried to make plays when they weren’t there. It cost us momentum. A lot of sloppy play from us, really.”
Missed Opportunities Galore
Zach Whitecloud of the Knights got a clean shot from the high slot, forcing Lankinen to challenge. The puck bounced off the boards and into the net, courtesy of Brandon Saad. Canucks coach Rick Tocchet lamented, “It was a 1-1 game, and we gave them that freebie to start the (third).”
The Canucks had their chances, especially during a six-on-five in the third period, but poor shot choices left them empty-handed. Tocchet noted, “We shot the puck over the net, we hurried some of our shots. I don’t know if that’s rust over the two weeks.”
Lessons Learned
Despite outshooting the Knights 19-7 in the third period, the Canucks couldn’t find the back of the net. Tomas Hertl sealed the game with an empty-net goal. Tocchet wished for more net-front presence, saying, “There were some rebounds there, laying there, we just didn’t get to. But, yeah, I mean, make a play, grab a puck.”
Adin Hill, the Knights’ goalie, made some incredible saves, leaving Canucks forward Pius Suter frustrated. “On the first (chance), he was almost on his ass and it hit his arm. And then the second one, he’s just whipping over, and I think it hit his other arm.”
Looking Forward
The Canucks left Lankinen with little support, and he likely won’t start Sunday’s game in Salt Lake City. When the Knights finally scored at 11:02 of the second period, Lankinen had no chance. The Canucks held the lead for less than five minutes after Jake DeBrusk’s 20th goal, set up beautifully by Kiefer Sherwood.
Sherwood was one of the few Canucks who showed no signs of rust after the break, but the team’s overall sloppiness was evident with multiple penalties. “We gave them, like, three penalties,” Pettersson said. “They gained a lot of momentum from that, even though they didn’t score.”
As the Canucks continue their road trip, they face crucial games against the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks. “This whole road trip is big,” Sherwood said. “We’re playing against teams that are all fighting for playoff spots, and every game is worth double now.”
It’s time for the Canucks to seize their moments, or they might find themselves watching the playoffs from their couches.
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