For 50 minutes, this was a very sound defensive effort for the Vancouver Canucks. But once Brady Tkachuk scored at 11:11 of the third period, it felt like the momentum changed. Then when Brady scored with 13 seconds left to send the game to overtime, you felt the Canuck heartbreak on the screen. Then Brady completed the natural hat trick to give the Panthers the 3-2 win.
A missed pass to Zeev Buium started the downfall in OT. Buium couldn’t get off the ice. Boeser was on for a minute. Sasson just got on the ice.
It’s a tough loss, no question. But there is a lot of positives and, in a rebuilding year, learning opportunities.
On the Shifts and Pucks Podcast, we talked about how the shortest preseason in NHL history impacted the Canucks. There has not been enough practice time to establish structure. Tonight was the most structured the Canucks have looked. They were sound positionally. Especially on the penalty kill, where they were not overaggressive.
This included a splendid performance from Leevi Meriläinen. Especially in the first period, where the Panthers outchanced the Canucks 27-9. It was a tighter, lower-event second period. I think he would have liked the Brady Tkachuk first goal back. But overall, he’s very calm. He’s seeing the puck very well. I’d like to see him play against Tampa.
Yes, Zeev Buium was on the ice for the winning goal. But Buium played 17:28. 1 shot. 1 block. 1 giveaway. Mancini 13:30. 1 block.1 hit. 1 giveaway. Clearly, Malhotra has confidence in him, putting him out there in OT.
The growth of EP25 continues.19:00 A goal, 2 shots. 1 block.2 hits. 2 giveaways.. He knows who he is and the way he needs to play. Third most ice time in the game. NHL.com had him as the second star
Filip Chytl makes his regular-season debut. He was out for an extended shift late in the third period. But he also took the last-minute face-off in their own zone. That tells me a lot of what Malhotra thinks of him. When healthy, Chytil is a good player that can play in all situations.
This is only the second time this year the Canucks have had a one-goal lead in the final minute of the third. They allowed a goal in both situations. But it is something they can learn from. Also, they had back-to-back one-goal games in the final minute. That is also the first time that has happened this year. Learning how to win is part of rebuilding.
As for the Panthers. They got a good goaltending performance from Akirs Schmid. Only 16 saves. But four were in great danger. The Canucks had 15 scoring chances. Ten in the second and third periods. Will he win you a Stanley Cup? Probably not. But it won tonight.
The Bennett and Tkachuk’s line was the headline line of the night. But the best line of the night was the Reinhart-Verhaege-Eller line. They outshot the Canucks 9-1. Eller was also good on the PK.
Raty traded to the Leafs.
Aatu Raty cleared waivers early on Thursday. He was expected to go to Abbotsford. However, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two players.
Brendan Bohr. 24-year-old, 6’2 “, 200 lb, right-shot forward from Vancouver. He was undrafted.. Played in the BCHL from 2017-2023. Five games wth the Toronto Marlies. He has two assists
Jacob Quinlan. 24 year old 6’0 204 lb left shot centre from Dartmouth NS. Also undrafted and played in the BCHL. 16 games with the Penticton Vees. (9-10-19). But he also played 24 games with the Maple Leafs. One in 24-25. 23 in 25-26 (1-2-3). No points in four games with the Marlies this year. But 37 points in 67 points with the Marlies in 24-25 (18-19-37) 36 points in 40 games in 25-26 (14-22-36).
Raty was an Islanders second-round pick, 52nd overall, in 2021. The Canucks acquired him in the Bo Horvat trade on January 30, 2023. He has 29 points in 118 career games. While his faceoff ability is strong, his skating has seemed to be his downfall., Once Chytil returned, Rsty was the odd man out on the Canucks forward group. Good on Ryan Johnson to get something for him.
Home › Forums › A Learning Loss For The Rebuilding Canucks