It took until the final night of March for the Calgary Flames to make their first visit of the season to Vancouver, but from an entertainment standpoint it was worth the wait. The Canucks and Flames engaged in a high-event hockey game that ultimately saw the visitors pull out the come-from-behind victory in game they had to have to keep their playoff hopes alive. Here are some thoughts and observations about the contest:
- After six weeks of solid defensive hockey under Rick Tocchet, the Canucks have seen a few bad habits return to their game giving up 11 goals in overtime losses to St. Louis and Calgary this week. It was a tough night Friday for the defensive duo of Tyler Myers and Guillaume Brisebois who were on the ice for the first three Calgary goals and were also the defensive pair on the ice when Jonathan Huberdeau was awarded a second period penalty shot. On the night, the even-strength shot attempts were 29-6 in the Flames favour and the shots were 13-2 in 14:52 of ice time with Brisebois on the ice. And the numbers weren't much better for the veteran Myers (23-7 & 11-2). Yes, it's fair to say the Canucks were playing with fire all night with those two on the ice.
- Elias Pettersson scored his sixth PP goal of the season last night on a one-time blast from the right face-off circle early in the second period. In one of the most baffling statistics of the season, Pettersson did not score with the man-advantage in the 44 games he played under Bruce Boudreau. Since Rick Tocchet took the coaching reins, however, no one on the team has scored more than the six power play goals Pettersson has notched. In fact, since January 22nd, Pettersson has the team lead by two over Andrei Kuzmenko. This statistic isn't so much about the difference in coaching styles and systems -- although there certainly have been tweaks -- but speaks more to Pettersson's rise to prominence on the power play since Bo Horvat was dealt at the All Star break. With Horvat in the mix, he was a primary option in the bumper slot on almost every power play. Without Horvat, the Canucks seem to be moving the puck more and looking to find Pettersson sliding into shooting position in the right face-off circle.
- Thatcher Demko faced a season-high 41 shots on Friday. By period, the totals were 11-15-11 and four in overtime. It was the 14th time in his career he’s seen more than 40 shots in a regular season game. And the first time since he faced 45 shots in a game against Vegas last April. Demko has shown over his time in the NHL that he possesses the ability to hold his team in one-sided hockey games and last night was latest example of that. The Canucks are now 7-6-1 in games in which Demko has been peppered with more than 40 shots on goal.
- First goals in the NHL will never get old and with terrific to see rookie Aidan McDonough net his first in just his second game overall and his first at Rogers Arena. The massive smile and the on-ice celebration with childhood friend Jack Rathbone are memories that will surely last a lifetime. While McDonough was the centre of attention, let's give credit to his linemates on the play. Jack Studnicka likely had his best shift as a Canuck aggressively forechecking the Flames defence and forcing a turnover deep in Calgary territory. As McDonough played the puck behind the net, Studnicka was able to corral it and wheel out in front where Sheldon Dries was doing a nice job of battling for position in front of Jacob Markstrom. From his knees, Dries deftly played a backhand pass across the goalmouth to McDonough who made the most of his second whack at the puck to put the Canucks in front 3-2 midway through the second period. Sheldon Dries has contributed 11 goals in the 56 games he's played this season, but he hasn't shown much as a playmaker. The assist on McDonough's goal was his first since February 15th (vs NY Rangers) and just his second since December 1st (vs Florida).
- Nils Aman continues to show steady growth in his offensive game and Friday was the latest example. Aman showed terrific poise and patience perfectly executing a 2-on-1 with Anthony Beauvillier late in the second period putting the Canucks in front 4-3. With Flames defenseman Noah Hanafin caught along the left boards deep in Canucks territory, Aman and Beauvillier moved to the attack. Beauvillier slipped a pass across to Aman who waited until Rasmus Andersson had turned to defend him. The first year centre then sent the puck under Andersson's stick and back to Beauviller for the finish. Aman, who once went 16 games without a point earlier this season, has three assists in his last five games and has 2+6=8 in his last 14 outings. He's adding offense while continuing to flourish as a penalty killer and on Friday he also won eight of his 11 face-offs