Game of big momentum shifts. Canucks got totally dominated early but gradually got things evened up with a tired Sabre team. Doubt Vancouver matched up talent wise but good team system sort of held things together. Also Canucks able to pounce on some mistakes by a not very good Buffalo defense (or goalie at times) and score against the run of the game.
Good
Stecher - has obviously stepped up play recently. Very good about jumping on check and getting puck or breaking up plays. Hopefully we are seeing the evolution of this player into really decent NHL player. Improvement has seen Green up Stecher's ice time. Lots of bailing out partners in this game.
Tanev - strong per usual. Him and Edler are increasing difficult to play against and are, with Markstorm, probably the main reason the Canucks remain so competitive.
Levio - plays like this all the time and he might start getting all star consideration. Was very strong off the rush, banging people off the puck, maintaining possession and on the back check. Ticked all the boxes in this game. Did like how he made any line he was on better.
Eriksson - beyond goal (which was mainly about Levio) he was getting his stick in all game and like other Canucks forcing the play to the outside. Apparently has found his role as a checker on this team.
Motte - might epitomize the Canuck season. Player never expected to make the team just like the Cauucks were never going to make the playoffs. Player that survives on hustle and and playing well with in the system like the Canucks have to win as a team and can't rely on seasoned, super talent to bail them out. In this game Motte was again best of the muckers
Not Good
Boeser - real bad in his zone at times. Had maybe had two good shifts but more a liability than a positive tonight on many shifts. Yet somehow scores.
Pouliot - never know what you are going to get. Maybe a real nice pass or good move like on the 2nd goal or maybe, and even more likely, getting knocked off the puck or giving up the puck in his zone to force the goalie into a save. When he got caught in the wrong match ups in this game Canucks were in deep trouble.
Others
Granlund - went totally off the radar in this one and disappeared into the ether. Hard to assess play when he is so rarely in it. Saw some uptick in intensity when Sabre's pulled goalie
Sutter - given some tough match ups and didn't come thru that well (-2) Just zero in term so of offensive play. Give him some credit for being ok on the PK
Virtanen - sometimes looks like he about to do something but then doesn't. Still very little finish around the net. Has improved his attention to defense and is somewhat more careful and competent at puck movement but like to see more point production. I think this is the player that we are left with as his improvement has seemingly plateaued
Beagle - line was better. Showed some vet presence in this game - is providing that to the team.
Demko - nice to see the win. Played well enough but still felt like Markstrom might have had some of the goals. (although that's based on the super play of Markstrom of late). Still getting his feet wet and not looking out of place.
Watched Dalhen as much as possible and you can see even for a young player he is solid and steady. However, I did not see the kind of upper end speed or or skill that I expected from such a ballyhooed
prospect. Superlatives last year were over the top. He is young and no doubt he develops into a very good defensemen. But I don't see any Erik Karlssen wheels or vision here. Be interesting to him how he and Hughes wind up.