Post-Game Talk: GAME #12: VAN 5, LAK 3 | 49 SOG, 4 PPGs, BB6 hat trick, and an 8-3-1 October, hot DAMN

[MS]

I thought the team actually looked very mediocre at ES against a godawful Kings team but god damn the PP looks good now that Hughes has replaced Edler.

Team has had a very good start but is also almost through their incredibly soft October schedule and the real tests are about to start. The fact that the PP is clicking so well bodes well for them.

 

[krutovsdonut]

I thought the team actually looked very mediocre at ES against a godawful Kings team but god damn the PP looks good now that Hughes has replaced Edler.

Team has had a very good start but is also almost through their incredibly soft October schedule and the real tests are about to start. The fact that the PP is clicking so well bodes well for them.

i don't agree with mediocre. it was a decent road game. they dominated possession all game 5v5. they got a lead in the first against a bad team then cruised with the lead all night against a shambling mess so at times it got sloppy when the kings briefly woke up. they managed ice time well. they picked up 49 shots, held the other side to 24 and every line but the 4th had strong numbers. the kings suddenly played hockey in random short spurts driven by individuals but were totally neutralized as a team and i have rarely seen a more beaten looking head coach. the only negative was allowing three goals against, but that can happen in a game like that.

anyway, it is fair comment to say they need to play better teams to be sure of who they are, and there are lots of shoals out there for a team at this stage of development to founder on.

 

[4Twenty]

Before this game, Ferland had 5 points in 11, on pace for 37 points across an 82 point season, which is exactly what the team was expecting out of him.

He's on pace for 7 goals. I don't like playing the on pace for game this early, but Ferland has been disappointing. I'm pretty sure they were hoping for closer to 20 goals, and it is certainly concerning going back to last season in his inability to find the back of the net.

I'm assuming you know that Ferland was ill during training camp..and yes,..Sven is in Utica.

Why are you so angry that someone thinks the top 6 wing positions should be upgraded? Very confrontational about something that most people agree with. Everyone knows Ferland was ill in camp, how long does he get to use that excuse?

He hasn't even been used as a top 6 forward this year, so it's not like Travis thinks he's the answer either.

You can see the difference in what a real top 6 winger looks like (JT Miller) vs a grinder being put into top line minutes (Ferland). I don't think it's a negative on Ferland to want him in the bottom 6, not sure why you brought up Baertschi, but on a per game basis over the last 4 years, he's a more productive player than Ferland and hasn't had the benefit of playing on lines with Gaudreau and Aho over that time. I don't think Baertschi is the answer either, but we know he's got chemistry with Bo and they've got him under contract for another year after this.

And he's injured now anyways, but I'm with @Bankerguy , the team could use more talent up top or a more offensively inclined 3C.

 

[MS]

i don't agree with mediocre. it was a decent road game. they dominated possession all game 5v5. they got a lead in the first against a bad team then cruised with the lead all night against a shambling mess so at times it got sloppy when the kings briefly woke up. they managed ice time well. they picked up 49 shots, held the other side to 24 and every line but the 4th had strong numbers. the kings suddenly played hockey in random short spurts driven by individuals but were totally neutralized as a team and i have rarely seen a more beaten looking head coach. the only negative was allowing three goals against, but that can happen in a game like that.

anyway, it is fair comment to say they need to play better teams to be sure of who they are, and there are lots of shoals out there for a team at this stage of development to founder on.

LA is going to be a bottom-3 team in the NHL and I thought there was a lot of sloppy play on our end and some very quality chances conceded, and a better team would have made us pay for it a lot more.

 

[MS]

He's on pace for 7 goals. I don't like playing the on pace for game this early, but Ferland has been disappointing. I'm pretty sure they were hoping for closer to 20 goals, and it is certainly concerning going back to last season in his inability to find the back of the net.


Why are you so angry that someone thinks the top 6 wing positions should be upgraded? Very confrontational about something that most people agree with. Everyone knows Ferland was ill in camp, how long does he get to use that excuse?

He hasn't even been used as a top 6 forward this year, so it's not like Travis thinks he's the answer either.

You can see the difference in what a real top 6 winger looks like (JT Miller) vs a grinder being put into top line minutes (Ferland). I don't think it's a negative on Ferland to want him in the bottom 6, not sure why you brought up Baertschi, but on a per game basis over the last 4 years, he's a more productive player than Ferland and hasn't had the benefit of playing on lines with Gaudreau and Aho over that time.

And he's injured now anyways, but I'm with @Bankerguy , the team could use more talent up top or a more offensively inclined 3C.

Ferland has an on-ice shooting % of 17% and a PDO of 103. He's actually been worse than his numbers, as underwhelming as those numbers are.

 

[4Twenty]

Ferland has an on-ice shooting % of 17% and a PDO of 103. He's actually been worse than his numbers, as underwhelming as those numbers are.

I thought he was coming around lately, and I know you didn't, but I thought he was using his speed and driving wide with more authority.

But he's not a top 6 forward, just like Roussel isn't either. They can both move and provide utility there in spurts, but I'm with bankerguy. I think they need to upgrade the wingers who play with Bo. Pearson is losing his shine, Jake is a one and done off the rush, Leivo is a poor mans Pearson, Baetschi and Goldy are in the AHL. I think any one of these guys plus Ferland and Roussel can play in a top 6, but to me, I think having a JT Miller type true top 6 wing talent there is required. Obviously easier said than done, and they don't come cheap as evidenced by the cost for Miller. But that's ultimately what they'll need to climb the ladder into contender status.

 

[tyhee]

as much as i love this team, the lack of production from Ferland is alarming

i'd like to see the Canucks upgrade Virtanen or Leivo or Pearson for a winger who's more solidified as a top 6 winger...
Kapanen or someone like that. i want a lock for 20 goals and 50 pts and staple him to Horvats wing

Ferland was supposed to be that guy.

In his four full seasons as a pro, Ferland has averaged 74 games, 14 goals and 31 points. His maximum was 41 points, with substantial time on the top line, probably for about the same reason as Dave Semenko once spent time on the Oilers top line.

He’s got more offensive talent than Semenko did and I think you’re right that the Canucks intended to play him largely in the top six, but he was signed primarily for toughness with the expectation his offence was good enough to pick up points playing with more skilled players. I can't imagine Canucks' management would be silly enough to view him as the lock for 20 goals and 50 points that you say you want.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

I really like how we're doing so far... hopefully we can stay relatively injury free and keep up the good play.

Also, if this keeps up, I may have to eat my words on Hughes. Frankly, I didn't think he had the size and strength to hack it in this league as anything other than a PP specialist and I wanted us to draft Dobson instead. But he's looking pretty special right now, isn't he?

 

[geebaan]

Just keeping the wins rolling. Crazy too look at the standings and see ya and the Oilers at the top

 

[tradervik]

It was satisfying to see Pettersson bowl over Martinez but I'd prefer not to see him throwing body checks.

By the way, Dom Luszczyszyn is running a playoff predictor over at the Athletic, which he updates daily. After last night's game, his model has the Canucks projected to get 93.2 points with a 67% chance of making the playoffs (and a 2% chance of winning the cup). His calculation before the season started had the Canucks with a 25% chance of making the playoffs.

 

[I am toxic]

I really like how we're doing so far... hopefully we can stay relatively injury free and keep up the good play.

Also, if this keeps up, I may have to eat my words on Hughes. Frankly, I didn't think he had the size and strength to hack it in this league as anything other than a PP specialist and I wanted us to draft Dobson instead. But he's looking pretty special right now, isn't he?

Don't worry.

Your transgression will always be overlooked, as forevermore going forward we will never forget - and focus solely on - Jack Burton's initial take on Petey.

 

[Zarpan]

He's on pace for 7 goals. I don't like playing the on pace for game this early, but Ferland has been disappointing. I'm pretty sure they were hoping for closer to 20 goals, and it is certainly concerning going back to last season in his inability to find the back of the net.

20 goals for Ferland seems to be a stretch for expectations unless he's going to get a lot of power play time. He's been good for around 12 to 13 ES goals the last few seasons. Needs at least a couple minutes of PP time per game to get to 20 goals from there.

 

[krutovsdonut]

LA is going to be a bottom-3 team in the NHL and I thought there was a lot of sloppy play on our end and some very quality chances conceded, and a better team would have made us pay for it a lot more.

and we would have played a better team differently. you only have to look at the ice times to see that. it's been a long time since i've looked at this team in terms of its game management against bad teams who are never really in the game, but i think even back in the day i would not have been upset by this effort other than maybe the last goal against messing up marky's stats.

 

[platotld]

I hope Ferland is OK. I feel like he was finally beginning to shake off the rust, and then he gets hurt in a mean-nothing fight with LA’s dancing bear Kyle Clifford.

Look right outta the appalachian mountains. Give him a bango.

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

Jesus Christ text block

 

[platotld]

Jesus Christ text block

Hey now fixed...

 

[Bankerguy]

He's on pace for 7 goals. I don't like playing the on pace for game this early, but Ferland has been disappointing. I'm pretty sure they were hoping for closer to 20 goals, and it is certainly concerning going back to last season in his inability to find the back of the net.


Why are you so angry that someone thinks the top 6 wing positions should be upgraded? Very confrontational about something that most people agree with. Everyone knows Ferland was ill in camp, how long does he get to use that excuse?

He hasn't even been used as a top 6 forward this year, so it's not like Travis thinks he's the answer either.

You can see the difference in what a real top 6 winger looks like (JT Miller) vs a grinder being put into top line minutes (Ferland). I don't think it's a negative on Ferland to want him in the bottom 6, not sure why you brought up Baertschi, but on a per game basis over the last 4 years, he's a more productive player than Ferland and hasn't had the benefit of playing on lines with Gaudreau and Aho over that time. I don't think Baertschi is the answer either, but we know he's got chemistry with Bo and they've got him under contract for another year after this.

And he's injured now anyways, but I'm with @Bankerguy , the team could use more talent up top or a more offensively inclined 3C.

Maybe my expectations for him were higher than what the Canucks figured.
I thought that they had him pegged for a top 6 winger roll and expected physical play and 50 points with either Horvat or Pettersson.

If the management rather had him pegged for 30 points and physical play as a 3rd liner then i guess they'll get what they paid for.

I really wish Bo has a more legit 2nd line scoring winger on his line.
Pearson, Virtanen, Baerschi, are probably more of a "middle six" winger than Leivo, Schaller, Motte, but neither of Pearson /Virt / Baertschi are reliable enough for a stable 2nd line spot.
They do bring value though in a lesser relied upon role.

Obviously the Canucks are doing great and i'm over-the-moon pleased, but there's always room for improvement, especially when scoring dries up which it will eventually for stretches here and there.

 

[thekernel]

Wish I got to see this one. The highlights looked amazing, the top PP is absolutely cooking right now.

It was satisfying to see Pettersson bowl over Martinez but I'd prefer not to see him throwing body checks.

By the way, Dom Luszczyszyn is running a playoff predictor over at the Athletic, which he updates daily. After last night's game, his model has the Canucks projected to get 93.2 points with a 67% chance of making the playoffs (and a 2% chance of winning the cup). His calculation before the season started had the Canucks with a 25% chance of making the playoffs.

Isn't it wonderful how terrible every single one of those "playoff chances" models are? I'm not saying he'll be wrong, but...ah do I even want to get started....

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

I haven't really watched much hockey in years outside highlights. But I'll be damned if watching these highlights makes me excited again. Seriously. The team just feels so much more energized.

 

[MS]

and we would have played a better team differently. you only have to look at the ice times to see that. it's been a long time since i've looked at this team in terms of its game management against bad teams who are never really in the game, but i think even back in the day i would not have been upset by this effort other than maybe the last goal against messing up marky's stats.

I thought we conceded a lot of chances against a very poor offensive team.

Turning point of the game was LA hitting a post on a great chance with 5 minutes left in the 2nd period and then Boeser going back the other way to score. If that goes in, it's 3-2 LA and a different game. Instead it's 3-2 us and we coasted it out on a great PP.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

no i havnt! its not panic mode... i hope he gets going

He had his best game against Florida
Then got injured in LA after the fight

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

I really like how we're doing so far... hopefully we can stay relatively injury free and keep up the good play.

Also, if this keeps up, I may have to eat my words on Hughes. Frankly, I didn't think he had the size and strength to hack it in this league as anything other than a PP specialist and I wanted us to draft Dobson instead. But he's looking pretty special right now, isn't he?

When you can skate like him, you don’t need to be big and buff to play defence. You are defending the puck from going to the net, not the person.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

 

[thekernel]

When you can skate like him, you don’t need to be big and buff to play defence. You are defending the puck from going to the net, not the person.

Small, smart players know how to avoid danger, it's something you have to know if you're going to succeed as a smaller guy. Guys like Gaudreau, Marchand, P. Kane play close to full seasons on a pretty consistent basis (Kane in particular has missed 1 game in the last 4 years). Typically easier for wingers to avoid physicality than the D-men, of course, but Q seems especially adept at retrieving dump-ins before the forecheckers can even touch him.

The real test for him will come playoff time (hopefully this spring), when players will be going to greater lengths to wear us down, taking those extra steps to finish checks, while the refs will be keeping the whistles to a minimum.

 

[Sneezy]

There was a game thread.

I was going to ask the same question, I cannot seem to find the game day thread after I logged off last night.