Here’s what we learned as the Canucks claimed a convincing 7-2 victory
The narrative was supposed to be about goaltending. And it was.
However, the significant storyline of the Vancouver Canucks being able to deploy either of their two capable stoppers — Thatcher Demko got the call Monday while Jacob Markstrom did the physical and mental re-set — was overshadowed at the other end of the Rogers Arena ice surface.
The inability of Florida Panthers’ back-up Sam Montembeault to stop anything in the opening period forced Sergei Bobrovsky to mop up the spill in the crease until the visitors played musical goalies again to start the second period.
By then the damage had been done by the Canucks. It included the following first-period forays:
— Every line scored in the opening 10 minutes and every forward had a point except Brock Boeser, who would later close out the scoring.
— The rejuvenated Tim Schaller scored his fourth goal in the last three games.
— The resilient Jake Virtanen netted his third marker in as many nights.
— The ridiculed Micheal Ferland showed plenty of giddy-up to set up two goals.
— The forgotten Loui Eriksson did some disruptive spade work on the second goal.
The only remaining drama once the Canucks built a 5-1 lead after 20 minutes was if they would have a flashback to Freaky Friday when they blew that same advantage against the Washington Capitals. That wasn’t going to happen. Not this time.
Here’s what we learned as the Canucks claimed a convincing 7-2 victory against a club that looked like it was playing its second game in as many days and left its Grade A game in Edmonton on Sunday afternoon:
“You want to play an entertaining style and the game is trending that way, but you still have to be strong on the puck and win puck battles — that’s never going to change,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “Working to score and working to defend is going win in the long haul. I thought we played a very direct first period and we supported the puck and were on top of their defencemen. We came out fast and hard.”
Vancouver Canucks forward Tim Schaller (middle) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers.
Schaller’s power is suddenly a thing
The fourth-line winger owned it at training camp by admitting he was overwhelmed a year ago and vowed to show he’s a much better player — like the one who had a dozen goals with Boston before the Canucks came calling in free agency.
After moving up and down the lineup and failing to score in his first 23 games last season, he managed just 10 points (3-7) in 47 games and was a frequent scratch. A legitimate question was what to do with the winger?
The answer was wait and see. Schaller gained scoring traction last Tuesday in Detroit and then added a pair on Friday. He struck again Monday.
His fourth goal of the season came after Jay Beagle got the puck in deep and Eriksson did some board work before Beagle found Schaller at side of the net. He jammed home the offering.
“I can’t be taking any shortcuts,” stressed Schaller. “I still have to be dumping the puck in and chipping and chasing, so I’m just going to keep playing the same way and hopefully, the goals keep coming. My goal tonight was kind of how we want to define our line. Three guys in on the forecheck and that’s what we want every shift. Be hard to play against and the goals will come.”
Added Green: “He had a tough year last year and looks like a different player — right from Day 1. You get a little confidence and when you see it and even the pass he made to Beagle on the breakaway — that’s a big-time pass. I’m happy for him.”
Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller (9) scores against the Florida Panthers.
Miller’s fine art of the deft deflection
On a night where the Canucks scored in every conceivable way, one aspect of J.T. Miller’s game was on display once again.
The winger had gone four games without a goal, but his presence through the slot, willingness to win puck battles and play in traffic was going to be rewarded. He ended the onslaught of four goals in the opening 10 minutes by recording his 100th career goal by ripping a wrist shot.
He then got into position late in the second period to take advantage of scoring play started by the freewheeling and smart-thinking Elias Pettersson, who finished with three assists. The Calder Trophy winner spun in the offensive zone, found Alex Edler at the point and Miller found the spot to deflect the shot for his team-leading sixth goal.
“It just happens to go in now,” said Miler. “There are so many times when you just miss them and that’s something we work on.”
Florida Panthers goaltender Sam Montembeault (33) and defenceman Anton Stralman (6) defend against Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen (18) during the third period.
See Jake. See Jake skate. See Jake score.
Travis Green had a meeting with Virtanen before the winger was promoted to play with Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson on Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden. The coach wasn’t impressed because he believed Virtanen had much more to give.
The logic was that the winger was fast enough, shot hard enough and could be smart enough to complement the line. He was sprung by Horvat for a glorious chance and it seemed like a matter of time before his improved play would pay off.
He got the winner in Detroit and scored again Friday. On Monday, his third goal of the young season was another result of being in the right place at the right time. When Horvat sped down the wing and got the puck to the net, Virtanen was there to ram it in. Nothing complicated. Just some hustle and desire.
“He’s playing well and there’s a reason he’s up on that line,” said Green. “He’s using his speed and playing smart and not turning pucks over and playing well at both ends of the rink. That’s what he needs to do. And it’s consistency. That’s what we’ve talked about with Jake.”
Florida Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad (5) reaches for the puck against Vancouver Canucks forward Micheal Ferland (79) during the third period.
Ferland is finding that ferociousness
Ferland felt pressure from the outset of this season.
He desperately wanted to deliver on the Canucks’ faith that with a four-year, US$14 million commitment. The 27-year-old former menace with the Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes had the potential to return to the 20-goal plateau and bring a needed physical element.
That seemed like a reach because one goal through 11 games isn’t going to move the happy meter. But getting his aggressive game back on track was always going to be the winger’s ticket to being more of a factor.
He had an assist, four shots, two hits and a take-away Friday and his two helpers Monday will go a long way to restore lost confidence.
Ferland sped away to set up Brandon Sutter with a backhand feed on the opening goal and then used his size and presence with the puck to find a wide-open Josh Leivo to make it 5-1.
Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller (9) takes control of the puck as Florida Panthers’ Mark Pysyk (13) falls.
NEXT GAME
Wednesday
Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angeles Kings
7:30 p.m., Staples Center.TV: SNET1; Radio: SNET 650 AM
LISTEN: In this week’s edition of The White Towel podcast columnist Ed Willes joins Paul Chapman to dissect the fast start the Canucks have got off to. Ed surmises that it’s depth that has brought the Canucks to where they are, the additions of J.T. Miller and Tyler Myers, as well as Jordy Benn, have played as big a role as the growth of talented budding stars Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.
The podcast also covers what the Canucks might need to take the team to the next level, and the state of the west and the surprising teams that the Canucks will have to keep pace with.
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October 29, 2019 at 11:46AM
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