FINAL: Vancouver Canucks 3, Anaheim Ducks 2
The Canucks entered this game having gone almost six periods without scoring a goal. Snapping that drought should not have been a concern. The Ducks are one of the NHL’s true bottom feeders, just two points ahead of the lowest point total in the league. Entering this match, Anaheim also sported the NHL’s worst goal differential at minus-126.
Vancouver came in 102 goals better than that, sitting with the eighth fewest points in the NHL. A win meant potentially jumping over three teams into the 11th worst position. That wouldn’t be good for the NHL Draft Lottery odds, but oh well, they’re coming off a shut-out loss and they’re playing the Ducks.
Whatayaknow, it didn’t take too long to tally.
The other pressing question: Would Elias Pettersson reach the 100 point mark on the season? We were delivered the answer early on: YES!
Canucks Goal Scorers:
1st Period
1-0 Canucks – Power Play – Brock Boeser (18) from Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, 12:14
Boeser converted a great cross-seam pass from ‘Petey’ with a shovel-in goal at the left post.
2-0 Canucks – Power Play – Andrei Kuzmenko (39) from Akito Hirose and Thatcher Demko, 16:12
Hirose sprung “Koozy” on a breakaway with a 120-foot pass up the middle. The Russian skated in and buried a wrist shot.
— Mason McTavish ripped a one-timer from the right-wing circle on the power play to cut it to 2-1 at 17:20.
2nd Period
— Drew Helleson scored his first ever NHL goal at 15:37 to tie the game 2-2. Canucks forward Anthony Beauvillier deflected the puck past Demko. Did he think he could block the point shot with his stick blade?
3rd Period
3-2 Canucks – Even Strength – J.T. Miller (31) from Phil Di Giuseppe and Elias Petterson, 1:26
Miller converted a tap-in rebound alone in front on a shot from PDG on the right wing.
— Vancouver hurt itself with the win as it relates to the NHL Draft Lottery. They’re now in the 10th worst position. That gives them a 3.5% chance at landing the top-overall pick.
— Vancouver outshot Ahaheim 36-35. Power plays: Vancouver 2-for-4, Anaheim 1-5.
Canucks 3 Stars:
1) Elias Pettersson – Two assists including his 100th point of the season.
2) J.T. Miller – A goal and an assist and his usual feisty behaviour.
3) Thatcher Demko – A 33 save night, plus an assist. Easily the club’s best penalty killer.
