[PGT] Nucks @ Canes - feb 6 2024

[Cromeslab]

1 minute ago, PistolPete13 said:

All those years of following the Canucks through rough times, there were plenty of negative posts about the team. Most of those posts were sensible measured takes, but there were some that went overboard with the negativity.

 

I often wondered if those same people would be throwing negativity and shade at the team if they were one of the best teams in the league. Well here we are, and we have our answer,

 

Some people just gotta bitch no matter what. It’s brutal how some people gotta have a whipping boy or two to complain about. 

 

Lighten up folks. Enjoy the ride. 

 

100% enjoy the ride!

[JeremyCuddles]

Had to work during this one, which sucked. But Lindholm got a couple. So that's awesome. Another micro addition to Lindholm is it frees up Boeser to not be the net front guy. So the threat of his shot opens up the slot for tips. And Boeser's shot is now a one time threat off the left side when they are moving and grooving. Our powerplay just got deadlier and it was already frightning.

[Jaimito]

 

 

Drance: How Elias Lindholm fit in seamlessly in his impressive Canucks debut

RALEIGH, N.C. — Elias Lindholm made his presence felt immediately.

 

You wouldn’t have known it to watch the veteran forward play, but it’s been a whirlwind 10 days for the newest member of the Vancouver Canucks.

 

Last Saturday, Lindholm scored the game winner for his former club, the Calgary Flames. The next day, he headed to the Mexican Baja for some sun and relaxation during the bye week.

 

By Wednesday, Lindholm was traded while in the air, on his way back to Calgary. Then it was on to Toronto for All-Star festivities.

 

This week has seen Lindholm take part in a pair of get-to-know-you practices with his new teammates and then make his Canucks debut Tuesday night.

 

And he didn’t just make his debut. He contributed meaningfully with two goals in a 3-2 road win against the Carolina Hurricanes, one of the NHL’s top teams. And he contributed in every single situation.

 

Lindholm started the game at five-on-five and led all Canucks forwards in minutes played at even strength. He was net-front on the first power-play unit. He was first over the boards on the penalty kill, a daunting task given how short his runway has been this week to adjust to a new system and new teammates.

 

“Honestly, I was the most nervous about the penalty kill,” Lindholm said. “I’ve only played the same system throughout my career, so this was new to me. I was kind of nervous.

 

“They told me to take the faceoff and get off if I had the chance. I just beared down on the draw and tried to get off. That will definitely take some time to get used to.”

 

Before the end of his first Canucks period, Lindholm was on the board with a deft deflection of a Quinn Hughes point shot. The goal tied the score, and Vancouver didn’t trail again.

 

Lindholm’s first Canucks goal was a power-play goal. More importantly, it was precisely the sort of power-play goal that this team has required more of.

 

“If you look at it, that’s high-end hand-eye coordination,” summarized Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, who also runs the power play. “First of all, he’s in front of the goalie.

 

“Secondly, Quinn made a couple of nice plays, getting it through. Those are goals you have to get on the power play in tight games. The tic-tac-toes, they don’t happen very often late in the season, so I might be the happiest guy. Those net-front goals are my favourite.”

 

This is the sort of goal that is going to be key for the Canucks. Though Vancouver’s five-on-four play has mostly been dynamic this season, the deflection goal hasn’t been enough of a staple.

 

Andrei Kuzmenko, for example, scored 14 deflection goals during the 2022-23 campaign, but he’d contributed only two this season. In discussing the power play, the need for more goals at the net front has been a constant focus of Tocchet’s.

 

“Yeah, it’s a massive element,” Hughes acknowledged. “Not only the tips, but he (Lindholm) can play anywhere — great shot, great hockey sense, his reads are really good. You saw tonight the way he supported the puck, the way he can make skilled plays coming out of tough situations. And it’s just the start; you’re going to see a lot more.”

 

In Lindholm’s Canucks debut, he scored two power-play deflections. If one of Vancouver’s needs was to find a player who could do damage down low on the power play, Lindholm immediately showed he’s up to the task.

 

“He’s a very skilled and talented player. I mean, he had 42 goals a few years ago,” Hughes said of Lindholm’s immediate impact. “That doesn’t just happen.

 

“He made a great tip, and that main thing was that he was patient enough to just wait there and wait for the puck to come.”

 

As for Vancouver’s big new add, he was just happy to contribute and to get some positive reenforcement, given his offensive production has lagged behind his expectations for much of the season.

 

“I haven’t had too many tip goals this year, so that was just a lucky touch, honestly,” Lindholm said, downplaying his two-goal evening. “Hopefully, I can have some more luck with those.”

 

In every phase of the game, Lindholm’s seamless fit was on full display Tuesday night in the research triangle. It’s just one strong 60-minute effort, but it was a strong first impression.

 

“When we targeted him, the one thing we said as an organization was that if we get a guy and go for it — or however you want to say it — you want to get someone that’s intelligent,” Tocchet said. “There was a minute or two left, he’d just got off, and I was telling him something about a switch, and he goes, ‘Yep, I got it.’ Sometimes you get guys and they’re like, ‘Whoa, hang on a sec,’ and they start to panic — or, not panic, but they get antsy. He’s just calm.”

 

 

 

[I.AM.THE.WALRUS]

5 hours ago, I.AM.THE.WALRUS said:

OK everybody let’s hold hands and unite our mental energies!!!

 

Lets shout at the top of our lungs on the count of three… 

 

1… 2… 3…

 

THE OILERS WILL LOSE TONIGHT!!!!

This happened!!!

Our collective vibes turned the tide and stopped the oilers winning streak…

 

well done family!!!

[wesley]

5 hours ago, AlwaysACanuckFan said:

We're undefeated since Lindholm trade

So is Calgary, I think?

[Jaimito]

 

 

 

[LillStrimma]

1 hour ago, Jaimito said:

 

 

 

“When we targeted him, the one thing we said as an organization was that if we get a guy and go for it — or however you want to say it — you want to get someone that’s intelligent,” Tocchet said. “There was a minute or two left, he’d just got off, and I was telling him something about a switch, and he goes, ‘Yep, I got it.’ Sometimes you get guys and they’re like, ‘Whoa, hang on a sec,’ and they start to panic — or, not panic, but they get antsy. He’s just calm.”

 

 

 

This is one of the major differences between Benning/Green and JR/PA/Tocchet.

 

The new organisation wants intelligent players while the old choosed players like Virtanen before other options.

 

[Lemon Face]

59 minutes ago, wesley said:

So is Calgary, I think?

This is not Calgary board.Its Canucks.

[iinatcc]

Not to sound like a downer but the GWG looked more like luck than actual skill (plus one could argue the goalie was "interfered on") 

 

Also is it just me or has the team been surrendering a lot of SHG recently?

[Alflives]

42 minutes ago, iinatcc said:

Not to sound like a downer but the GWG looked more like luck than actual skill (plus one could argue the goalie was "interfered on") 

 

Also is it just me or has the team been surrendering a lot of SHG recently?

[Alflives]

2 hours ago, wesley said:

So is Calgary, I think?

Flames are losers; it’s Cowpieville. 

[Catman]

Wow...hard fought game! 

GCG

[Crimson JH]

5 hours ago, Gawdzukes said:

 

It's extremely ironic that you're cheering for the team closer to us in the standings. Haha, I get it but wow ... what a season. Who saw this coming?

We just don’t want the Coilers to break a new nhl record, and we will never hear the end of it. 

[Jaimito]

QH likely will surpass Ohlund this season. 

 

Demko will likely catch R Brodeur this season.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 7 by Jaimito

[AussieCanuckinUK]

wow....not the best start but definitely great comeback...and Lindy with 2 as a nuck, gotta hope this trend continues!

then the Oilers losing to Vegas yay! and the Flames beating the Bruins!! and little Marshy getting one in the face.... what a great night overall!!!

Should be interesting going into beantown!! CGC 

[Jaimito]

38 minutes ago, Crimson JH said:

We just don’t want the Coilers to break a new nhl record, and we will never hear the end of it. 

 

 

 

[Captkirk888]

6 hours ago, wai_lai416 said:

sure but it's a team that's missing one of the top scorers.. like i said it's a good win but i think we got lucky because they are missing one of their top players and playing a goalie that haven't played for a while.. we need to figure out how to get shot attempts on goal against the good teams 7 total shots on goal in 2 period is not going to win you many games.. they started off great but i dunno where all the momentum and energy went

 

[Hairy Kneel]

4 hours ago, mmkk said:

That's right. Last year we had no system to fall back on if we weren't scoring. We were running around like chickens because of it. Now we are a much deadlier team and poised to do something never done before in the history of the franchise. Didn't watch the whole game. What did Aman do?

Aman is pretty weak on the forecheck. Not what you want from a 4th liner. Even a 31 year old Martinook looks like step up on Aman, hits and gets involved. 

[NewbieCanuckFan]

3 hours ago, Lemon Face said:

This is not Calgary board.Its Canucks.

Yes, that person should go to:

 

www.pornhub.com

 

If they want to discuss Flames topics.

[Mac]

1 hour ago, Captkirk888 said:

 

 

The canucks did not get lucky.

 

Garland himself could have had 3 goals. If anything, the canucks were unlucky and yet they won anyway.

 

Edit: I see it was wai lai that posted we were lucky and not you...just to be clear.

Edited February 7 by Mac

[CurtFraser24]

10 hours ago, Elias Pettersson said:

Petey’s line was great tonight.  Lindholm makes such a huge difference. We now have 4 complete lines. 
 

The only question that remains is whether to go down Robson Street or Georgia Street. 

Main and Hastings

[Boudrias]

Excellent game! 

A few thoughts:

1) Extended ozone play: Multiple lines kept the Canes hemmed in. 

2) The Corolla line was back to business. If Garland actually starts scoring instead of hitting posts this line will be hugely intimidating. Again. we are seeing the evolution of a power forward in Joshua. Not only his physicality but he has added FO prowess and massive net front presence. 

3) D-core physicality: Both Zad and Meyers were hitting. Zad's hit on one Cane drive caught a lot of attention. What I noticed was how he slammed a player down to the ice in a puck battle behind the net. Meyers does this type of thing as well. Both Cole and Juulson contributed on the physical side as well. I suspect RT and Foote refine the physical game as they head to playoffs. We all know that CUP rules are not regular season rules. 

4) Cane deep forecheck in the Canuck d-zone pressured the defense a lot. Canuck puck support was decent and Demko saw a lot of shots.

5) Cane response to the Canuck PP was very interesting. They checked high in the zone and Lindholm's 2 goals resulted from Hughes getting the puck thru. Was this standard Cane play or a deliberate effort to nullify Hughes? I thought JT's comment about creating lower down plays to counter was smart. 

 

IMHO the games running to the TDL are all about the d-side game. Is what Vancouver has good enough for serious CUP play? Soucy will be a big part of this. How physical will Canuck coaching want their d-core to be? They have the size to be intimidating but lets face it CUP contenders are not intimidated. Can Canuck physicality knock opposing players off their games enough for Canuck offence to win out?   

[bishopshodan]

3 minutes ago, Boudrias said:

Is what Vancouver has good enough for serious CUP play? Soucy will be a big part of this. How physical will Canuck coaching want their d-core to be? They have the size to be intimidating but lets face it CUP contenders are not intimidated. Can Canuck physicality knock opposing players off their games enough for Canuck offence to win out?   

 

Yes.

 

Plan the parade.

This is our time.

[IBatch]

1 hour ago, Hairy Kneel said:

Aman is pretty weak on the forecheck. Not what you want from a 4th liner. Even a 31 year old Martinook looks like step up on Aman, hits and gets involved. 

Aman is one area the team should improve on before the TDL, and it won't cost the farm.   A 4C upgrade,  if this guy is a banger and a decent deterrent,  really the only trade remaining, if not also a depth winger that's a big scary dude.   We don't have a Momesso.  

[WillisD]

Work sucks but that win makes today a lot sweeter. Way to go guys! Not hearing much whining about the Lindhilm trade anymore. Maybe it's just too early