Tavares was atrocious tonight, never been so disappointed watching a star player in this league.
Dead right here - he was bad. Islanders stunk in this game and couldn't make a pass all game. Many passes into teammates feet. Total fluke that they won so I guess Tank Luck was on our side tonight. On a long road trip so something of an excuse for the Islanders' lame effort.
Thought the Canucks dominated much of the game and the Sedin line, in particular, was very dangerous and unfortunate not to get a couple more.
Hutton was excellent and showed he could log big minutes without really any drop off in play. Him and Tanev were effective and this means, looking ahead, you can play Edler maybe as a 3. Getting a 4th top 4 player on defense is critical for the team and hopefully, if they don't screw up their drafting position, they can get one. If they can, then you really have to question if Hamhuis should be back given the salary he will command. However, to save face, Canuck management will likely pay what they have to, to get him back.
Hamhuis worked hard in this game and was mostly good. However, his limitations on offense were evident when he blew some very good chances.
Virtanen had some good shifts and produced some offense. For all the talk about his IQ he doesn't make many mistakes in positioning or puck management. However, still needs to use linemates better. His speed allows him to get open and turn the defense but he needs to find ways to get the puck back into the open spaces he is creating especially when he takes the puck wide around the net. He is good off the rush but needs to learn how to move the puck in more static situations like on the PP. Could learn from the Sedins here.
Baertschi continues to show well. Should have put that one puck home. Seems to bring energy to every game and has improved a ton over how he was at the beginning of the season.
Granlund was ok but he his lack of strength is clear. Had trouble fighting thru or holding his ground against the bigger players the Islanders have. Thought he moved the puck through the mid-ice area well but had trouble getting to the net.
Horvat not really looking like a factor in recent games. Seemed to get banged up in this game and you have to think he may not be at 100%. If so the Canucks should rest him. Likewise with Hansen. Not totally ready to go, keep him out. Other teams aren't working hard to win and neither should the Canucks.
Weber was awful at forward as could be pretty much expected. Whole deadline snafu seems to have left them unable to anticipate the need to call someone up sooner.
Etem should get a longer look with the Sedins. Maybe they can make a scorer out of him. Thought he worked the boards fairly well and speed forced the Islanders into mistakes.
Markstrom was mostly unfortunate in this game. Don't think you can say he played bad. Might have made himself bigger at times but those own goals were near impossible to stop.
Garrett's defense of Benning was weak but I guess the guy knows on what side his bread is buttered. I certainly never expected him to call Benning to account. Patterson's point about fans wanting Hamhuis gone to weaken the team was the most honest one.
. Rough night for Marky, he needs to play more to re-find his rhytm. He wasn't bad by any means but he wasn't in the zone either. Terrible puck luck.
