Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Vancouver Canucks look to regroup against Oilers after rough night in Utah

September 25, 2018, 2:58 PM ET [464 Comments]
Carol Schram
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Monday September 24 - Los Angeles Kings 4 - Vancouver Canucks 1

The Vancouver Canucks might have been better off to let their neutral-site game in Salt Lake City stay hidden on Monday night, rather than picking up the Los Angeles Kings' feed for their livestream.

The Kings brought a virtually full NHL roster to Utah and cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory over the Canucks in front of more than 12,000 fans at the awkwardly named Vivint Smart Home Arena.

Hard to believe that was the same arena that hosted Team Canada's run to gold at the 2002 Olympics with all the problems they had with the ice on Monday night. There were at least five play stoppages in the first period because the goalie nets had come off their moorings. Jacob Markstrom got dinged for a delay of game penalty when he came out to the faceoff circle to scoop up the puck at one point because the officials hadn't noticed that his net was off.

It was also dark and the ice was choppy. Yeah, both teams were playing in the same situation but it wasn't exactly a standard NHL night.

Anyway, here are your highlights:



Neutral-site games also mean limited stats, so I can't even glean out ice-time details. I can tell you that the Canucks outshot the Kings 29-26. All five goals in the game came at even strength, with Los Angeles able to be more opportunistic. Tyler Toffoli scored twice before Anze Kopitar and Dion Phaneuf put the game out of reach with goals 42 seconds apart in the third period.

Sam Gagner got the lone goal from the Canucks, sprung free on a breakaway thanks to a heady feed from Troy Stecher late in the first period.




Without Elias Pettersson to dazzle us, the Canucks' warts were a lot more visible on Monday, even in the dim light. The power-play failed to click and top remaining prospects Olli Juolevi and Adam Gaudette didn't do much to advance their cases to stick around past the end of this week.




Travis Green says he still hasn't made up his mind on Gaudette:

“Trying to find out. His effort level is never deniable,” he told Patrick Johnston from The Province after the game. “He works and he works. Trying to find out if he’s ready for full time or if he needs some time in Utica. I’m trying to play him as much as I can to make sure I make the right decision. We’re not there yet.”

The clock is almost certainly ticking on Juolevi:




For all the talk of the promising prospects that could come in and surprise this year, thankfully it looks like Pettersson is going to be able to carry that entire weight on his narrow shoulders.

No claims off Monday's waiver wire.




The most notable name on Tuesday's waiver list is Ottawa's Zack Smith, who has 542 NHL games to his credit but scored just five goals last season, in the first year of a four-year contract that pays him $3.25 million per season.

Just when you thought the morale in Ottawa couldn't get any lower:




Tuesday September 25 - Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers - 6 p.m. - Sportsnet One, Sportsnet 650

Like last night, the Canucks will face an NHL-worthy lineup tonight in Edmonton:




The RNH-McDavid-Rattie line has shown some chemistry in preseason, and Kailer Yamamoto continues to draw praise for his nose for the net, so there will be plenty of firepower for the Canucks to try to contain.

On the blueline, 2018 first-rounder Evan Bouchard is still with the team. He'll skate tonight on a pairing with Kris Russell.

Hoping for a turnaround from last year, the Oilers are 3-1 so far in preseason, including a 4-2 win over the Canucks one week ago at Rogers Arena. The next week is insane for them: after home games against Arizona on Thursday and Calgary on Saturday, they head to Europe for an exhibition game against a team coached by Leon Draisaitl's dad in Cologne, Germany next Wednesday, then open their regular season in Sweden against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

When they get back to North America, they play road games against Boston, the Rangers and the Jets before returning to Rogers Place for their regular-season home opener on October 18.

With the quick turnaround between games, I don't think the Canucks are skating in Edmonton today. We'll likely have to wait for warmup to see the Vancouver lines. With three days off after tonight's game, I'm assuming that Pettersson will get his first chance to go up against McDavid and Draisaitl.

Enjoy the game!
Join the Discussion: » 464 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Carol Schram
» Winning Canucks send down Podkolzin, Rathbone as homestand begins
» Power-play fuels big win in Vegas as Canucks look to sweep 3-game road trip
» The Canucks' position at U.S. Thanksgiving, following a big win in Denver
» Trade winds blow as the Canucks kick off road trip against the Avalanche
» Podkolzin returns as Canucks host Vegas amidst Horvat, Myers trade rumours