We all have bad days, bad weeks, maybe even bad months. But the Vancouver Canucks are having a bad year and Tuesday night’s loss to the Oilers feels like a real signal — or simply just cements the fact — that things have gotten way off track. Not only did the Canucks lose to the Edmonton Oilers in a game where they let the opposition score four unanswered goals, but Antoine Roussel was fined $5K by the NHL for inexplicably teeing off on forward Jesse Puljujarvi.
Related: Oilers Not Talking Adam Larsson Extension, Plans for the Pending UFA
The Canucks got off to an early 3-0 lead, with goals from Bo Horvat, Tyler Myers and Elias Pettersson. Things were looking up for Canucks fans, but some things are too good to be true. By the end of the first period, the Oilers had started their climb back with a goal from Dominik Kahun.
The second period was scoreless, although a gradual change in momentum was obvious. With just over four minutes left in the period, Canucks Roussel got mixed up with Puljujarvi (mixed up, as in, Puljujarvi had no idea what was going on). Roussel ended up with the only penalty, which resulted in strong offensive pressure from the Oilers’ stars.
Oilers’ Stars Save the Day. Again.
If Connor McDavid goes more than a period without a point, you know he’s going to come out hungry. After hitting the under-side of the crossbar twice, McDavid finally found the back of the net on a beautiful powerplay feed from Leon Draisaitl early in the Third. That goal came just minutes after another goal from Kahun, tying the game at three apiece. Draisaitl had assists on each of those three goals, by the way.
With a rare third line goal from Oilers’ Tyler Ennis half-way through the third, the Canucks found themselves in the inevitable trouble with which they’ve become so acquainted this year. They were not able to respond with a goal of their own, resulting in four unanswered for the Oilers.
What Now for the Canucks?
Despite being the best Canadian team in the playoffs last year, and a lineup that looked rock-solid going into this season, the Canucks are on the outside looking in, as far as the playoffs go. They’ve shown flashes of promise, but lack the consistency needed to be a champion. The question going through the heads of hockey fans right now is: “Is it too late for the Vancouver Canucks?”
More must-reads: