The Vancouver Canucks fall to 13-6-1 after a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Despite a strong effort from start to finish, the Vancouver Canucks came out on the losing end on Wednesday, falling 5-2 to the Colorado Avalanche. Nils Höglander and J.T. Miller found the back of the net, while Thatcher Demko made 20 saves in the loss. Vancouver has now lost three of their last four games and fall to 13-6-1 on the season.
First Period
As expected, this first period featured plenty of offensive chances at both ends of the ice. Both Demko and Georgiev were forced to make difficult saves as they attempted to slow down two of the top offences in the NHL. Both goaltenders kept the game tied but could only hold on for so long before each team found a way to get on the scoresheet.
The Canucks took the lead at 16:23 of the first, thanks to Höglander. The Swedish forward jumped on an Anthony Beauvillier rebound, beating Georgiev for his sixth of the season. With the goal, Höglander also extended his personal point streak to four games. Unfortunately for Vancouver, the tides would quickly turn, and their one-goal lead would turn to a one-goal disadvantage in a matter of minutes.
The Avalanche's deadly power play went to work after Conor Garland took a debatable cross-checking penalty at 17:01. At 17:37, the Canucks were caught on a two-on-one down low, where Mikko Rantanen found Valeri Nichushkin, who potted home his eight of the year to tie the game at one.
Colorado would then take the lead 66 seconds later as Jonathan Drouin tipped a Cale Makar point shot in for his second of the year to make it a 2-1 game. Despite late pressure from Vancouver, including Dakota Joshua being robbed in the final seconds, the Avs skated into the locker room 2-1 after the first.
Second Period
It was all Canucks to start the second, in large part to three straight power plays, including a short five on three. Despite spending most of the first eight and a half minutes of the second up a man, Vancouver could not cash in and tie the game. Despite failing on the power play, the Canucks continued to press and eventually found the equalizer before the midway mark of the second.
Before breaking down Vancouver's equalizer, we must pause and look at what ended up being a big break for the Canucks. At 8:33 of the period, both Brock Boeser and Josh Manson took matching cross-checking penalties. It looked like a pretty generic call until the replay showed that Manson made contact with Boeser's head, prompting a review. After the review, Manson was given a game misconduct, meaning Colorado would be down one of their best defenceman the rest of the game. This was also why both clubs shifted to four-on-four, which opened up some space for Miller to pot home the tying goal.
At 9:04 of the period, Miller beat Georgiev from in tight to tie the game at two. The goal was Miller's 13th of the year and pushed his personal point streak to ten games. With his assist on the play, Quinn Hughes also saw his personal point streak extended, pushing it to nine games. Both teams would continue to pressure the rest of the period, but Demko and Georgiev stood tall, sending the game into the second intermission tied at two.
Third Period
The third did not start as Vancouver hoped as Colorado restored their one-goal lead on their opening shot of the period. After Miles Wood threw a shot on goal, Riley Tufte tipped it past Demko for his first of the year. While head coach Rick Tocchet contemplated challenging the play, the Canucks bench boss decided against it, and the Avs went up 3-2 1:24 into the period.
The Avs would eventually double their lead at 12:38 of the period when Makar stopped Miller at the blue line, went in on a breakaway and beat Demko glove side for his fifth of the year to extend the lead to 4-2. It was a goal that came against the run of play, and while it wasn't the last one Colorado would score, but it was the backbreaker for the Canucks.
The Avs would officially put away the game at the 16:38 mark of the third as Rantanen potted his 13th of the season into the empty Canucks net. This was only the second time Vancouver has allowed an empty net goal all season, with the other coming against Calgary six days ago. Colorado would skate away with a 5-2 victory improving to 12-6-1 on the year, while the Canucks have now dropped three of their last four and sit with a record of 13-6-1 at the 20-game mark.
In the end, the Canucks played well but couldn't cash in on their opportunities. From the power play failing to generate chances to Georgiev standing on his head throughout the game, this game felt like one Vancouver was destined to lose regardless of how well they played. Overall, it was a solid effort from the team and one they can hopefully learn from moving forward.
Stats and Facts
- Hughes becomes just the sixth defenceman in Canucks history to have a point streak of nine or more games
- J.T. Miller breaks his tie for 22nd with Cliff Ronning on Vancouver's all-time points list, registering his 329th point as a Canuck in just his 303rd game.
- Ian Cole led all players with six blocked shots and is now up to 44 on the season
- This was the fourth time in 14 games this season Demko has allowed four or more goals. In those games, the Canucks are 0-4.
Three Stars
1) Riley Tufte: 1 Goal, 2 Shots, 1 Blocked Shot, 9:03 Time on Ice
2) Jonathan Drouin: 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 2 Shots, 14:32 Time on Ice
3) Valeri Nichushkin: 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 3 Shots, 1 Hit, 1 Takeaway, 19:45 Time on Ice
Canucks Next Opponent
Vancouver will get a day off before flying to Seattle to face the Kraken on Friday night. The last time these two division foes faced off, Seattle skated away with a 4-3 victory at Rogers Arena. Game time is set for 7:00 pm PT.