The Vancouver Canucks are nothing if not consistent in one specific area so far: falling behind early and playing a poor first period.
Three times now they’ve come back to win in such circumstances and they have an over-500 record through five games because of this proficiency to get better as the game goes on.
The latest case was Friday’s 3-2 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Brock Boeser potting the winner in the shootout while Kevin Lankinen stonewalled the Blackhawks for much of the night.
Lankinen’s play is the other consistent factor so far this season: he and No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko have stood tall in all five games this season and they’re the reason the Canucks have two of their three wins on the campaign.
The Canucks need some shoring up front, though whether that comes in the shape of Elias Pettersson just shooting more or something more dramatic, like GM Patrik Allvin finally finding a trading partner who has a forward to spare, but in the meantime they’re going to be leaning heavily on their goalies.
Hot hand
What’s clear is head coach Adam Foote is putting a lot of stock in players who are making an obvious impact, one way or another.
In other words, Pettersson may be doing a lot of nice things, but the quietness to his game may not be doing him any favours.
He is just seventh in five on five ice time among the dozen forwards dressed by the Canucks in Chicago. Some of that was about him playing on the power play and penalty kill, but there’s also some coach’s preference at play. Filip Chytil, who isn’t a perfect player but is always moving briskly and usually near the puck, was top of the heap. Brock Boeser wasn’t far behind, as he clearly has an admirer in his new head coach.
Pettersson played a minute less than bang and crash wingers Evander Kane and Drew O’Connor. That stands out in a game as tight as this one. Neither of those wingers are there to handle the puck, they’re there to put pressure on the opposing team.
On the other hand Pettersson was prominent in OT and nearly won the game.
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight makes a save against Vancouver Canucks Drew O’Connor Friday.
Junior Petey
Elias Junior Pettersson looks to have been eclipsed on the depth chart by Victor Mancini. The young Swede is having a hard time making his presence felt, whereas Mancini clearly is, to the point where he’s getting shifts with Quinn Hughes.
Junior, on the other hand, continues to be low man on the ice time pole. How much longer until summer signing P-O Joseph gets a look?
Let’s look at how each player performed on this night …
Forwards
Weak one-timer in first. Had a couple more shot attempts, a couple nice passes, including one to mancini, but every time I see Filip Chytil burst into traffic with the puck on his stick I wonder why Pettersson isn’t doing the same. He used to! Then there were some good glimpses in OT of hm driving the lane and the crease. Are those signs of more to come? His overall game continues to be nice and tidy, but he’s paid to be so much more.
Evander Kane C
Promoted to top line to start game. Got caught as lone man high to take an early penalty. And he’s just struggling generally on backcheck. Puck handling still not great. His physical presence was more notable in other games this week, too. Is this just a guy playing his fourth game in a week after not playing a regular season game for a year just working his way back into a groove?
The only piece of his line consistently bumping all night. Drew early penalty. And he’s been feisty every night. Shocking news: you can win with this guy.
Filip Chytil B-
His skating is such an obvious strength. His line played a lot in the Chicago end and he’s a big reason why.
Chicago Blackhawks centre Connor Bedard chases Vancouver Canucks centre Filip Chytil, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 17.
Jake DeBrusk B-
Good to see him get a goal because at one point I found myself wondering if he was still messing with his sticks? Still struggling for consistency in his game.
Vancouver Canucks left wing Jake DeBrusk left, and Chicago Blackhawks left wing Tyler Bertuzzi face off Friday.
Brock Boeser B
Found a rebound in the first but couldn’t bury. A quietly solid night until he buried the shootout winner. Really seems to be building some chemistry with Chytil, even if the Czech isn’t known as a distributor.
Really tough first night back. Got caved in in the shot count. He’s not there for offence but he needs to be doing something to push play out of his zone.
Drew O’Connor C
Lost Tyler Bertuzzi in front on the second Hawks goal. Didn’t get up to much else.
Kiefer Sherwood C
Took early penalty, which set the tone for the night. He’d been so good through four, suppose a dip in form is expected once in a while.
Some nice puck touches again. Just doing lots of smart stuff in limited minutes.
Max Sasson B
Another goal. Calder Cup Line is making a difference. Faceoffs are a struggle.
Linus Karlsson B-
If only you could merge him and Jonathan Lekkerimaki: you’d have a helluva power forward. He’s scored at other levels but doesn’t look like he’s doing it in the NHL so far. You’d like to see him with the puck more. Still, his board work remains strong.
DefenceÂ
Quinn Hughes B-
Led the best rush of the first and created lots of opportunities after. Shot a ton, as he often does but lacked a little precision. Defensively he’s had much better nights.
Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes handles the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Friday.
Struggled early but got better once the Canucks started mixing up the defence pairings. No surprise that he did well with Marcus Pettersson. Had a great scoring chance in close, set up by Pettersson.
Marcus Pettersson B-
Caught out at the back door on the power play goal against. Ryan Donato snuck behind him. But it was a much calmer game for him with the puck. Had a smart jump on a later penalty kill, only to hit post.
Tyler Myers C+
An eventful night, as it usually is for the Chaos Giraffe. He wasn’t bad, but he’s been better.
Junior Pettersson C-
Got knocked out of the rotation more than once and didn’t play much in the third.
Victor Mancini B-
Some really nice offensive forays and he’s getting a chance to play a bit with Hughes. Coaches trust his overall game right now.
Goalie
Kevin Lankinen A
The only reason this team was in it. Stonewalled a number of odd-man rushes and breakaways. Both he and Thatcher Demko are playing very calmly.
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday.