Canucks Failure To Hit The Net Leads To Frustrating Game 2 Loss

Adam Kierszenblat

Apr 24, 2024, 05:48

Adam Kierszenblat

Apr 24, 2024, 05:48

The Vancouver Canucks had 66 shots either missed or blocked in their 4-1 Game loss to the Nashville Predators.

It was a frustrating night at Rogers Arena as the Vancouver Canucks fell 4-1 in Game 2 to the Nashville Predators. Despite having 84 shot attempts, the Canucks only managed to test Jusse Saros 18 times, while 66 were either blocked or missed the net. As for Vancouver's stat leaders, Nikita Zadorov scored the only goal, while Casey DeSmith stopped 12 of 15 shots he faced in the Game 2 loss.

Overall, this was a game the Canucks deserved to win. They completely shut down the Predators in the first and third periods, but, like in Game 1, they could not find a way to hit the net. Overall, Nashville deserves a lot of credit for the way they played, as they made life easy for their goaltenders and frustrating for Vancouver players and fans.

Headed back to Nashville 1-1, the Canucks need to find a way to open up the Predators defensive structure. Whether it is jam plays at the side of the net or connecting on one-timers, they need to find a way to test Saros more than 18 times. Although it was an unsatisfying result, the positive is Vancouver showed they can hold the majority of possession while not sacrificing defensive responsibilities.

Quotes

Quinn Hughes on Nashville's ability to block shots:

" They're gonna block shots. They are obviously desperate at this time of year, but a bounce here, a bounce there. We had a lot of looks on goal that could have gone in. I think, for the most part, we just got to keep going and keep having a shot mentality, and some of those bounces will go through.

J.T. Miller on the difficulties of getting shots on net:

"I can say shoot every puck for sure. We got some good players, make the play that's in front of us and like I said, started blasting. Get up in the 40s and 50s into them, but sometimes there's guys in the way. They're trying to play defence against us, so it's hard."

Elias Pettersson on moving on to Game 3:

Learn and forget this one. See what we can do better. See what we did good and just be ready for Game 3."

Casey DeSmith on getting the start:

"Obviously, bummed for Demmer, but excited to play in the playoffs. It's a different animal, and it's fun to be out there. The crowd obviously is incredible. The atmosphere and the cities behind us. I appreciate it, and I know that everybody in this locker room does, too."

Nikita Zadorov on the Canucks being unlucky with their shots:

"We created enough chances to at least go to overtime or be tied in this game. I thought it didn't go our way today, but we're gonna bury it next time."

Rick Tocchet on the Canucks overall play:

"They had five chances, five on five. I'll take that all day long. I'll book that for the rest of the playoffs, but that's not gonna happen. Give them credit, though. They did what they had to win. We just got to figure a way of some people shooting the puck when they should, and some people getting in some areas. There are three or four shots that, if you shoot it, it's in the net. You gotta be decisive. That's what it's about. We're not going to be in there looking at a big game plan. We're going to be switching some stuff because we had, it was 33 attempts or blocks and all that stuff, but there are some stuff that we can do for sure."

Facts and Stats

- Phil Di Giuseppe records his first career playoff point

- Nikita Zadorov scores his first playoff goal since 2020

- The Canucks 84 shot attempts are the second most recorded all season by Vancouver

- The Canucks 47 hits are tied for the team playoff record

Scoring Summary

1st Period

NSH: 1:14- Anthony Beauvillier (1st) from Filip Forsberg

2nd Period

NSH: 6:29- Filip Forsberg (1st) from Gustav Nyquist

NSH: 8:04- Colton Sissons (1st) from Anthony Beauvillier and Jason Zucker

VAN: 15:33- Nikita Zadorov (1st) from Ian Cole and Phil Di Giuseppe