Geez - what a great game to be a fan at. From gut wrenching despair to unbridled jubilation. I think you can say officially that this game was loosely played but a lot more fun than those lifeless defensive grinds. Would say the game illustrated the essential Canuck team 2022 - 2023. Exciting offense - leaky defense.
Good
Pettersson - is becoming everything we thought he could be. Somehow turning Mikheylev into a scorer. Garland started the turnaround but Pettersson definitely finished it.
Kuzmenko - like how matter of fact he was about scoring the tying goal. Like he was sayiing -"So you were expecting something else?" Was a bull along the boards in the second half of that game.
Garland - got the team off the mat with his hustle. Hopefully he can get back to playing the way he can after going through a real slump.
Studnicka - not just the goal but also the hustle. Better skater than I figured. Canucks are going to have to make some choices on the 4th line when Joshua returns.
Mikheylev - can we hope he is finally developing his touch? Put away his chances nicely in this one. If he ever starts showing better around the net and establishes a connection with Pettersson this player has enough other attributes to become a significant offensive force.
Bad
Miller - he always seems to come up with something - like the pass on the 6th goal. But his sloppy passing , especially on the PP, was more than evident in this one. One of the most Jekyll and Hyde players in the League. Has you pulling your hair out at times. Sometimes wonder if his head is in the game. Maybe he characterizes the whole team. Just don't know what you are going to get from him or the team.
Martin - maybe the weight of knowing it's own him was telling in this one. Worst game as Canuck. Was letting shots eat him up.
Stillman/Myers - there are times when you're not far off thinking this is the worst combo in the League. Got a little better as the game went on but they were horrid in the first. Spent long periods on the ice b/c they couldn't get the puck out and had to keep icing it. Kind of had your heart in your mouth every time you saw them lumber over the boards. (bizarre Stillman came out of this one a +3)
Hughes - forcing play far too much. Needs to play with more composure and adjust play to the situation. Late, with the team ahead, he needs to maintain good defensive spacing and keep play in front of him. Needs to simplify his game when the situation calls for it. Still some immaturity in his play. Had a tough game in his end.
Others
Boeser - little better. Moving without the puck better and showing a little more speed. However, still has tendency to go to sleep defensively, as on the 5th Montreal goal. Had to switch off to take man taking the puck to the slot, but instead lazily drifts into circle not recognizing the danger. Player has so many bad habits. If he is scoring maybe you can over look that (as has been done through much of his career) but when he isn't then he is only hurting you. Some steps in the right direction and made some good passes but if you can trade him you do. If for nothing else to keep Kuz.
Delia - thought he looked more lucky than good. However did make some important saves. Must have good feeling about things driving home. Back in the League and gets a win - who cares how.
Have to suspend your concern for the long term future and just enjoy games like this. Thought was insightful when Shorthouse brought up the idea of fans back in Montreal going to bed mid way through the second and waking up and checking the scores in the morning. That's one type of brutal discovery we don't have to endure. Still, the Canucks can supply us with enough other nasty experiences. Tonight, however, wasn't one of them.
Good
Pettersson - is becoming everything we thought he could be. Somehow turning Mikheylev into a scorer. Garland started the turnaround but Pettersson definitely finished it.
Kuzmenko - like how matter of fact he was about scoring the tying goal. Like he was sayiing -"So you were expecting something else?" Was a bull along the boards in the second half of that game.
Garland - got the team off the mat with his hustle. Hopefully he can get back to playing the way he can after going through a real slump.
Studnicka - not just the goal but also the hustle. Better skater than I figured. Canucks are going to have to make some choices on the 4th line when Joshua returns.
Mikheylev - can we hope he is finally developing his touch? Put away his chances nicely in this one. If he ever starts showing better around the net and establishes a connection with Pettersson this player has enough other attributes to become a significant offensive force.
Bad
Miller - he always seems to come up with something - like the pass on the 6th goal. But his sloppy passing , especially on the PP, was more than evident in this one. One of the most Jekyll and Hyde players in the League. Has you pulling your hair out at times. Sometimes wonder if his head is in the game. Maybe he characterizes the whole team. Just don't know what you are going to get from him or the team.
Martin - maybe the weight of knowing it's own him was telling in this one. Worst game as Canuck. Was letting shots eat him up.
Stillman/Myers - there are times when you're not far off thinking this is the worst combo in the League. Got a little better as the game went on but they were horrid in the first. Spent long periods on the ice b/c they couldn't get the puck out and had to keep icing it. Kind of had your heart in your mouth every time you saw them lumber over the boards. (bizarre Stillman came out of this one a +3)
Hughes - forcing play far too much. Needs to play with more composure and adjust play to the situation. Late, with the team ahead, he needs to maintain good defensive spacing and keep play in front of him. Needs to simplify his game when the situation calls for it. Still some immaturity in his play. Had a tough game in his end.
Others
Boeser - little better. Moving without the puck better and showing a little more speed. However, still has tendency to go to sleep defensively, as on the 5th Montreal goal. Had to switch off to take man taking the puck to the slot, but instead lazily drifts into circle not recognizing the danger. Player has so many bad habits. If he is scoring maybe you can over look that (as has been done through much of his career) but when he isn't then he is only hurting you. Some steps in the right direction and made some good passes but if you can trade him you do. If for nothing else to keep Kuz.
Delia - thought he looked more lucky than good. However did make some important saves. Must have good feeling about things driving home. Back in the League and gets a win - who cares how.
Have to suspend your concern for the long term future and just enjoy games like this. Thought was insightful when Shorthouse brought up the idea of fans back in Montreal going to bed mid way through the second and waking up and checking the scores in the morning. That's one type of brutal discovery we don't have to endure. Still, the Canucks can supply us with enough other nasty experiences. Tonight, however, wasn't one of them.
