Canucks Challenge
“Strength up the middle”. As in, a department in which the Canucks are hurting right now. As in a goalie in Thatcher Demko who hasn’t completely found his game, a top-pair D-set that’s missing, and a top centre, Elias Pettersson, out of the line-up.
Vancouver is essentially playing with it’s number-3,4,5,6,7 and 8 blueliners. There’s your biggest challenge. One doesn’t replace a Norris Trophy winner in Quinn Hughes and a very effective righty partner Filip Hronek with a snap of the fingers. It’s simple reality. It’s not the same team.
The “next man has to step up” and “everybody has to contribute” cliches don’t necessarily apply when you’re dealing with such a talent and mobility drop-off. Canucks fans can only hope the coaching staff comes up with some miraculous adjustments to make up a wee bit of the difference.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken were dead in the water until their mini-miracle comeback against the Canucks on Saturday. Here’s the recap, in order to save me having the write out the gory details yet again.
The sea monster has some confidence, having followed up the OT victory in Vancouver with a win against the Utah Hockey Club. The Canucks have since lost to the Flames.
At morning skate at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday,Vancouver worked on a simple D-t0-D hinge pass with a break-out. They also worked the power play against the penalty kill at both ends. (see video below)
A special teams goal or two would go a long way for the visitors. Expect a quick start for the Kraken.
It’s Demko visiting Philipp Grubauer in net.
Earlier Canucks:
— Vancouver’s Holiday Wish List
