Replying to Quat asking if Boeser made the awful late non clearance.
No it was friggin Lindholm. As much as I was glad with how Podkolzin played, I was disappointed and pissed off with Lindholm.
Canucks eke out a win but man things are not looking good. Top end players need to be better and defense, as it is, is going to get chewed up and spat out in the playoffs. Damn lucky Anahiem is so bad. Anyhow, they needed the points and found a way to get them.
Good
Hoglander - probably best Canuck around the net right now. Time to put him in the slot on the PP.
deSmith - nice to see him bounce back after the nightmare in Minnesota. Looked a little jittery at times but he did a good job of covering up on low shots around the crease
Podkolzin - got better as the game moved on. Lights years better than Bains. Had zero problem staying in the play and battling for the puck. Plays like this and you can ink him in for next year. Most positive take away from this game.
Garland - back to being Garland. Some territific shifts that created the kind of momentum the team needed. Huge goal on very nice play from Zadorov.
Hughes - not perfect but his control of the puck was big in keeping Ducks in their zone. Great move on the first goal.
Duiseppe - think he is doing a good checking job on the 4th line. Consistent in getting pressure on the puck and clearing his zone. Too bad he doesn't have the hands to put away the chance in the third.
Bad
Friedmann - looked worse in this game then he as has in any other game this season. Way backed in on everything and rag-dolled round his net. Cole did his best to shore up that pairing but Anahiem had great chances with Friedmann playing. Think player like McWard, from what I have seen of him in Abby, might be a better alternative.
Boeser - very lackluster effort. Was slow (not much change there) and not good in his end. Should buy Miller something special for carrying him around. Don't like him out late in tight ones.
Ugly
Lindholm - that play late in the third is all you needed to see. (essentially brain dead) At present, this player is floating and, at times, looks lost. Watched him one shift (and you have to do this carefully to actually find him) where he just drifted around aimlessly in the center of the ice in his zone, covering no one and watching the play. Reminded me of Horvat but at least Horvat gave a damn and made some effort and ended up this way b/c of his poor first step. Lindholm seemed late in reacting to anything and often gave up on the play. Should be benched if there is an alternative. In the end, Podkolzin started carrying the line.
Team is playing far from good and needs to get out of these late season doldrums. Pretty obvious that the team needs to get back to scoring more goals. Chances seem there but finishing is poor.