The Canucks allowed four goals in the first period for the second time this season.
After allowing four goals in the first period, the Vancouver Canucks (46-21-8) fell to the Vegas Golden Knights (42-25-8) 6-3 on Tuesday. Quinn Hughes found the back of the net twice, while Nils Höglander scored his 23rd of the season in the defeat. This was just the second time all season the Canucks have allowed four goals in the first, with the other instance coming back in December when Vancouver lost 6-5 to the New Jersey Devils. With the loss, the Canucks dropped to 1-3 in their last four games, while Casey DeSmith allowed 6+ goals for the second time this season.
The best way to describe this game is that Vancouver shot themselves in the foot continually. Whether it was penalty issues resulting in two goals and Nikita Zadorov being ejected or allowing odd-man rushes which led to multiple goals, this was a concerning game from a Canucks perspective. The real issue is that this performance came against a potential playoff opponent and one that Vancouver has struggled against ever since the Golden Knights joined the league. With a game against Arizona tomorrow, the Canucks will need to put this loss behind them and fix their defensive structure if they want to leave Mullet Arena with a victory.
Quotes
Quinn Hughes postgame discussing the loss to the Golden Knights:
"If we play like crap against a team that's not in the playoffs, it's even more disappointing because it shouldn't happen. It shouldn't happen tonight, either, but when you play like that against any team in the league, it's going to be disappointing."
Rick Tocchet on the Canucks first period:
"The penalties and a couple of odd-man rushes. I don't think four or five guys were ready to play. Better moments in the second and the third, but obviously, that first put us behind the eight ball.
Rick Tocchet on Vancouver's defensive play:
"I think as an individual, you look at your game and how can I play better? What can I do to contribute to the team? If everybody does that, you hope the next game, we will improve on that. Some guys will look at their shifts and think about what I can do differently to help the team. We know the system, but then it comes to, there's a penalty kill, can we be a little more aggressive on the wall to get that thing out? I just thought we were a little light everywhere. That's not the type of game you want down the stretch drive, so we gotta find it quickly."
Rick Tocchet on what he can do to motivate the players:
"You just continue to pound the message. More individual meetings. You just keep on preaching the right stuff. That's all you can do."
Facts and Stats
-With his second goal of the game, Quinn Hughes has tied Mattias Öhlund for second on the Canucks all-time points by a defenceman list with 325
- Quinn Hughes passes Dennis Kearns into sole possession of second for power play points by a defenceman in franchise history with 144
- Brock Boeser becomes the fourth Canucks player this season to hit 70 points
- Vancouver allow four goals in a period for the fourth time this season
Scoring Summary
1st Period
VGK: 1:37- Anthony Mantha (22nd)
VGK: 6:23- Jonathan Marchessault (41st) from Ivan Barbashev and Brayden McNabb
VAN: 9:20- Nils Höglander (23rd) from Brock Boeser
VGK: 9:40- Jack Eichel (26th) from Jonathan Marchessault and Ivan Barbashev
VGK: 14:42- Noah Hanifin (12th) from Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault (PPG)
2nd Period
VGK: 1:46- William Karlsson (26th) from Alex Pietrangelo and Anthony Mantha (PPG)
VAN: 6:13- Quinn Hughes (14th) from Conor Garland and J.T. Miller (PPG)
3rd Period
VAN: 1:41- Quinn Hughes (15th) from Vasily Podkolzin
VGK: 2:05- Brett Howden (8th) from Keegan Kolesar and Nicolas Roy
Canucks Next Opponent
Vancouver completes their back-to-back with a Wednesday night showdown with the Arizona Coyotes. This will be the second of three meetings between the two teams, with the Canucks taking the first 2-1 back in January. Game time is set for 7:00 PM PT from Mullett Arena.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
Abbotsford Canucks Clinch Playoff Berth For Third Straight Season
Analyzing The Vancouver Canucks Nine-Game March Homestand
EA Sports Adds To The Confusion, Switches Both Elias Pettersson's Positions
Four Canucks Prospects Set To Participate In The 2024 NCAA Frozen Four
Abbotsford Canucks Monthly: Linus Karlsson And Max Sasson Shine Bright In March
Jonathan Lekkerimäki Makes Abbotsford Canucks Debut In Weekend Series Versus The Colorado Eagles
Where Are They Now: The Last Canucks Team To Play A Playoff Game At Rogers Arena.
Vancouver Canucks Clinch Postseason Berth For The First Time Since 2020
