Post-Game Talk: [GM54} Canucks defeat Sharks | 2-1 (OT) | Joshua & O’Connor | Don’t Ask How Many, Just How

[Hansen]

The shift where both Junior and Meaty went on and charged in and threw hits in the corner and came out with the puck was the happiest I've been with our D in ages

 

[Tinhorn1]

New players good, old players bad.

Give them a while.

 

[CanucksSayEh]

I didn't mind Boeser-Chytil, but you just can't go anywhere if that's your top talent. Baby Celibrini really stole the show, very impressive.

Toffoli still got it man. If this team retains him and Tanev, I don't think Nucks have any playoff misses since the bubble.

 

[orcatown]

Drab game. San Jose use to be an exciting arena but now it's like a morgue. Toffoli's reaction seemed so out of setting. Crowd hardly got on out of their seats and then snoozed into OT.

Good

Demko - had to be sharp to overcome some very listless defensive and offensive efforts. Canucks went to icing and total defense after they got up. That to me was poor coaching. Maybe weren't going to score but at least try to keep the puck in the offensive end. Team hardly got out of their end in the last 5 to 7 minutes.

O'Connor - comes over here from lowly Pittsburg and has more hustle then most of the rest of the team. You wonder about the country club atmosphere on the Canucks. Or maybe we just don't have very good skaters?? I was hoping for a penalty rather than the PS, but O'Connor made short work on putting away the winner. Good move by Tocchet getting him out there.

M. Pettersson - another game of keeping the puck out of our end. Best at just making the neat play with the stick to get possession and then quickly moving it up.

Suter - providing offense and a monster on the PK. Does a lot to help this team win.

Myers - having a good run. Him and M. Pettersson look good together.

Poor

E. Pettersson - I guess this is what he is. We've seen it for for the most part for the last two season - in fact the trend has been more and more downward. Just no jump. Word obviously is that if he gets the puck get immediately on him. He will dally with the puck and any pressure will force him into a turnover or a poor play. Also bump him b/c you will put him on the ice. As it is, Pettersson can't find or earn any space. I think, at this point, I would bench him (especially if Hughes gets back) and let him watch. I'm floundering here, but maybe just do something to stir the pot or shake things up. Having his brother come might have be seen as something to inspire him. But there is no sign of that.

MS has been right on about this player for a long time!!!!!

Others

Chytil - not making himself much of factor, in much of the game and made a poor play on the tying goal. However, continues to show upper level wheels. Canucks need him to break thru and become the elite player he has, at times, suggested he might be. Give him credit for a nice pass to O'Connor in the OT. Maybe you should get a point when a player converts a PS when you made the play to get him the PS.

Aman -looks like such a superior player in the AHL but never brings much of that at this level. OK but, outside of the hit on fellow AHLer Poturalski, didn't get much done. Hopefully gets an extended look.

Hronek - got a heavy workload and contributed. But still makes the odd screw up which leads to too much time in his zone. Needs to take a page out of M. Pettersson book and try to make the smooth play and not get running around trying to do too much.

Boeser - is getting a ton of game time.

Team wins a couple without Hughes and that's a big step. LET HIM REST. Maybe the rest of the team can prove something.

Also might give Garland a break even if this ends his game streak. Garland seems to have taken a real beating over the last while.

 

[thecupismine]

O’Connor

• Adds a lot to the team
• Coachable kid and wants to learn

Goalie Battle

• Both goalies were great
• Could have got the puck to the net a little bit more
• Didn’t give the Sharks a lot but when they did, Demko made saves
• In an 82 game schedule, there will be games where you have to grind it out and find a way to win

Life Without Hughes

• Can’t have passengers; need everyone to contribute
• Hoglander was really good tonight; Aman did his job; the whole Blueger line did a nice job

OT Win

• It’s been a while and they’ll take it

New Guys Contributing Right Away

• Important to make them feel welcome
• With this organization, when a player is acquired they get taken care of
• Try to get them to just think about hockey and not worry about off the ice
• Have been at the rink and lots of smiles

Joshua

• Looking like his old self in the last 3-4 games
• Has some jump
• Guys like him are really stepping up

Demko

• Over the last 3-4 weeks, in practice and games, he’s getting some traction
• Has a lot of respect for him

Marcus Pettersson

• He settles things down; lots of subtle plays
• Is a leader in the room; didn’t just sign him because of his on-ice performance but the way he is off the ice as well
• Wanted to play for the Canucks; short negotiations because both sides wanted to get it done

It's good Joshua is stepping back up, he's an important leader on this team. Him, Sherwood, and O'Connor really fit the mold of what the team is looking for on the wings. Debrusk does as well to an extent, but his motor is more inconsistent.

 

[Zarpan]

Flabbergasted at Petey’s complete disappearance. No clue what’s going on there, I’m beside myself at this point. Does anyone have a comparable for any center falling off this hard at this age? Given his minutes I’d be shocked if he was playing at anything beyond replacement level since he came back from that short absence.

Monahan was very good at 24 and then looked like he was on his way out of the league several years later before his resurgence.

That drop-off can be more definitively traced to serious injuries though.

 

[logan5]

When Miller took his 10 game leave, Pettersson scored 15 points. Easily his best stretch of the season. Then as soon as Miller comes back, Pettersson goes pointless in 6 straight games. This is purely psychological. There is a 100 point player inside that head of his.

 

[xtr3m]

If he pops at the 4 Nations, yes. If he doesn't, a few people here are going to have to rethink the "no injury" tag line.

To me, the fact that he plays there means he’s not injured or not injured enough.
Or, if he’s injured and plays, well that’s just irresponsible.

Whatever it is, it looks more and more like it’s not going to improve.

 

[xtr3m]

Give them a while.

Will new players get bad or old players get good?!

 

[JanBulisPiggyBack]

Management isn't abandoning the playoff chase to get Petterson better prepared for next season.

I meant at the 4 nations

 

[DFAC]

Im officially at a loss as to what to do with EP40.

 

[crowfish]

The problem with Pettersson being injured is it makes no sense if it's true, and it makes no sense if it is not true.

IF he is injured and the team is not confirming it, they are helping fuel the flames of hatred towards him. That would be insanely stupid to do for a 26-year old franchise forward who just signed the biggest deal in team history.

IF he isn't injured, well then that means he lied about his knee, and in that case why would they not have traded him? That would indicate massive character problems if he is making excuses/lying to the media months after signing that deal. They wouldn't have just traded him instead of Miller?

Nothing about this situation makes any sense

 

[Tinhorn1]

Will new players get bad or old players get good?!

Both.

 

[logan5]

When Miller took his 10 game leave, Pettersson scored 15 points. Easily his best stretch of the season. Then as soon as Miller comes back, Pettersson goes pointless in 6 straight games. This is purely psychological. There is a 100 point player inside that head of his.

Then when Pettersson finally started producing again, Miller gets traded and then pettersson goes on another pointless streak. I think this Miller thing needs to be purged from his head.

 

[bbud]

Some times you gotta grind out crap wins 2 points are 2 points

 

[TruGr1t]

The problem with Pettersson being injured is it makes no sense if it's true, and it makes no sense if it is not true.

IF he is injured and the team is not confirming it, they are helping fuel the flames of hatred towards him. That would be insanely stupid to do for a 26-year old franchise forward who just signed the biggest deal in team history.

IF he isn't injured, well then that means he lied about his knee, and in that case why would they not have traded him? That would indicate massive character problems if he is making excuses/lying to the media months after signing that deal. They wouldn't have just traded him instead of Miller?

Nothing about this situation makes any sense

I don't think the team side of this is very mysterious, they don't think he's injured. Otherwise, nothing they've done in the past 12-18 months makes any sense.

 

[FuzzyTitus]

6-3-1 in their last 10. Much better.
(5-1-1 last 7)

At least they're getting wins now. Just need Petey to wake up.

 

[Bleach Clean]

IMac seems a bit angered:

IMac [paraphrased] "The team executed their season long pattern of sitting on a lead/turtling"...

Tocchet's "meet pressure with pressure" has utterly failed.

Then when Pettersson finally started producing again, Miller gets traded and then pettersson goes on another pointless streak. I think this Miller thing needs to be purged from his head.

Question: If Pettersson produced when Miller was on his LOA, and these things are tied, why did he stop producing once Miller was gone for good?

 

[Peen]

Im officially at a loss as to what to do with EP40.

I think this is the most logical sentiment to have. I have zero feelings towards the strongest of doubters or the strongest of supporters. There’s genuinely no clear solutions. It’s just f***ed. I feel apathetic.

I also feel for him. Like he’s trying defensively but just looks so lost out there offensively. Genuinely nearing two calendar years now since he was last on top of his game.. the stretch run of 22-23.

 

[logan5]

IMac seems a bit angered:

IMac [paraphrased] "The team executed their season long pattern of sitting on a lead/turtling"...

Tocchet's "meet pressure with pressure" has utterly failed.



Question: If Pettersson produced when Miller was on his LOA, and these things are tied, why did he stop producing once Miller was gone for good?

I can only theorize that its because he feels responsible for this whole debacle. To me, going from 15 points in 10 games to 0 points in 6 straight after Miller comes back is pretty strong evidence of just how much this Miller thing has affected him, and there are some mental hurdles he needs to overcome. Which I think he will, because he has in the past, eg his slump after signing his second deal.

 

[The Iron Goalie]

Man I love this boring team! The Iron Goalie stands tall again (he back?)!

 

[Tinhorn1]

Then when Pettersson finally started producing again, Miller gets traded and then pettersson goes on another pointless streak. I think this Miller thing needs to be purged from his head.

He sets up chances every game. Today he'd have a nice assist if Hronek's shot hadn't hit the post. That kind of thing happens all the time. To my eyes he's been both terrible and also very unlucky. During that stretch without Miller the luck turned with DeBrusk going on a heater for a bit, and with pucks going in he also seemed to gain a little confidence. It wasn't superb, but it was better. Then it all went away again.

Whatever the physical issue is, knee or lack of conditioning, I think he's going to have to become a much better-conditioned athlete to be the player the Canucks need him to be. No idea if he has that in him, and I don't think anyone else does either.

By the way, watching Toffoli tonight sure made me sad. Had great chemistry with Pettersson, and that's not a common thing. Should never have let him go.

 

[Slapshot_11]

That bum should take 4 nations off and hit the gym instead

 

[ExarKun80]

IMac seems a bit angered:

IMac [paraphrased] "The team executed their season long pattern of sitting on a lead/turtling"...

Tocchet's "meet pressure with pressure" has utterly failed.



Question: If Pettersson produced when Miller was on his LOA, and these things are tied, why did he stop producing once Miller was gone for good?

He's upset that he is not the main "shill" like in the Jimbo era and the Bald Bros don't give him any info.

 

[quat]

I can't think of a situation like this ever happening before. Your top two Centres go insane and completely ruin what should be a decent backbone of a contending team. Jettison your 100 point power forward only to see your other 100 point centre decide to end his hockey career two thirds the way into the season. Just because?

I agree with others. None of this makes a lick of sense.

Has Tocchet ruined Pettersson trying to change his game? I absolutely hated watching Vigneault's teams turtling in so many games, just to give their opponents so much confidence with so many scoring opportunities and they won nothing due to that horror. Why are you sitting back against the Sharks??

I want to give Tocchet the benefit of the doubt, but man, it's creeping in.

This team is completely screwing with my mind.