3 Takeaways From the Canucks’ Loss Versus Sharks

While this game marked just another loss in a long list of them already early in the season, there were takeaways to be had from the matchup. Despite not even grabbing the overtime point, this was one of their better losing efforts, and is a game worth looking at when looking at how the team should improve, both in the short-term and the long-term.

The Canucks Struggle to Close Games

This has been a real problem for the team. They had a 2-0 lead on the Florida Panthers and lost 3-2. They had a 2-0 lead on the Tampa Bay Lightning, and lost 4-2. Yesterday, they also had that dreaded 2-0 lead on the Sharks, and yet the game ended in the loss column. As a Canucks fan, you can’t feel excited when the team feels destined to blow it every time they have a cushy lead.

There really are a few reasons for this. For one, the Canucks are outmatched pretty much every night. The Canucks are blowing leads against contenders and up-and-coming squads, and in some ways it is impressive that they are even looking competitive against those teams. The other issue is composure. The team is young, and many of these players haven’t experienced all the highs and lows of NHL hockey quite yet. It will take time for them to become better at protecting a lead, and it’s especially difficult under a brand new system.

The Process Can Deliver

It wasn’t Vancouver native Macklin Celebrini who made the Canucks pay tonight, as he only had an assist. It was Will Smith, who notched two goals against the team. 

A major talking point about this Canucks rebuild is that the team will never get lucky enough to win the draft lottery. This may be true, as the team that finishes last in the standings, like the Canucks may be on track to do again, is statistically most likely to pick third. While the Sharks have been able to fast-track this rebuild due to stars like Celebrini and Ivar Stenberg, the acquisition of players taken a few spots down like Smith at pick four, has been game-changing for the Sharks.

Some drafts are going to be deep beyond first and second overall. The teams picking in those slots also aren’t infallible either, and they can make mistakes which could lead to great players falling into the Canucks’ lap. A few more years of finishing low in the standings, making strategic trades for picks and prospects, and an all-around good drafting strategy could leave the Canucks with an embarrassment of riches in a few seasons.

You Can’t Take Your Eyes Off Elias Pettersson

Or else you may miss something magnificent.

The Canucks’ first goal of the game was a thing of beauty, and it was all Elias Pettersson. Yes, Drew O’Connor tallied the goal by scoring off the rebound, but come on, it was Pettersson’s sheer determination that made that play happen. The center was all over the ice in the first period, setting up chances galore. While he leaves the game with only an assist, he was the most dangerous player out there for the Canucks every time he stepped onto the ice.

It’s starting to feel like Pettersson is fully back. He’s making highlight reels and is about as productive as you could expect him to be on a losing squad. The trade deadline will be interesting, as the Canucks can surely now get a lot more value from him than they could have in the summer. It’s just whether or not they want to keep him around is the question.

Coming Up Next

The Canucks return home to host the Toronto Maple Leafs in a mid-afternoon Halloween match. After that they host the Ducks before heading out to Winnipeg for a date with the Jets.