Coach called Thursday's session one of the best practices of the season
Things are going well for the Vancouver Canucks in the early going this season. And not just in the games where the Canucks have won four of their first six outings. The solid showings include practice where the head coach is heaping high praise on his players for their between game habits.
Rick Tocchet gave the Canucks leadership group -- captain Quinn Hughes and alternates JT Miller and Elias Pettersson -- credit for setting the tone for a spirited 40-minute session at Rogers Arena on Thursday.
After a travel day home from Nashville on Wednesday, the Canucks were back on the ice preparing for a busy weekend that includes back to back games against St. Louis and the New York Rangers.
"It was one of our best practices, I thought the energy level was great," Tocchet beamed when he met the media. "Love the leadership group. I think they knew that they wanted to have an energized practice going into a back to back."
The Canucks have not played a home game since demolishing Edmonton 8-1 on their October 11th season opener. Since then, they've been out on the road for five straight.
Over the years, the first game back following a lengthy road trip has presented challenges for the Canucks. Tocchet conceded that he is aware of the history, but believes his team is prepared to overcome the scheduling hurdle.
"The old 'coming off the road type of stuff' I think that's a mental thing after a long road trip," he explained. "The players and the leadership group practiced really hard today which is a good sign."
Tocchet skated his group in the same line combinations and defensive pairings used in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Predators. Jack Studnicka, the lone extra forward, skated on defense with Noah Juulsen to form a fourth pair for drills.
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