Another predictable evening at Rogers Arena that saw the Vancouver Canucks find a way to lose. 6-2 Islanders. It ended with some moans and groans from the faithful.
The Canucks losing streak is at three games with the dinged up Colorado Avalanche heading in on Thursday night,
Glancing down at the games statistics during the first TV time-out of the 3rd period and a couple of items leapt off the page: Blocked shots – Islanders 15, Canucks 2. Giveaways – Islanders 3, Canucks 12.
The score at the time: 4-2 New York.
Do we begin the death march to the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, sans Vancouver?
One guy is enjoying a supremely remarkable year; captain Bo Horvat in a needing-a-new-contract season.
Canucks Goal Scorers:
1st Period
1-0 Canucks – Even Strength – Bo Horvat (27), from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brock Boeser, 18:23
A beautiful tip-in for Horvat on the deflection of an OEL point shot.
2nd Period
3-2 Islanders – Power Play – Bo Horvat (28), from J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes, 18:54
Horvat ripped home a one-timer off a perfect pass from Miller off the left wing boards.
The Coquitlam Kid
Matthew Barzal has done a very nice job playing against his hometown NHL club. After Tuesday night, the former BCHLer and Seattle Thunderbird of the Western Hockey League has 12 points in 8 games against the Canucks.
The 2015 16th-overall NHL Draft choice of the Islanders had his 2nd 3-point game of the season and the 21st of his career.
In front of a large group of family and friends, Barzal scored an unassisted goal in the second period, the eventual game winner, off an awful Tyler Myers turnover. It was semi-forced by a Casey Cizikas forecheck, but it’s one Myers shouldn’t have made.
Barzal had an assist in the second period and added another in the third.
The Canucks are firmly entrenched in 6th place in the Pacific Division with 35 points. They’re seven points and behind four teams for the 2nd wild card playoff position in the Western Conference.
