About Last Night: October 18, 2015 vs Edmonton

If the last game was frustrating, this was down right rage inducing. Despite "at least still getting a point," which is an attitude I am growing tired of, the result was they lost to an inferior team. The loss to the Blues two days ago was rough, at least the Blues have been a consistent playoff team the last few years. This was the Oilers, you know, the team that has consistently gotten a top five pick for about the last decade. However, the way the Canucks played they didn't even deserve a point.

This game wasn't so much about the lack of defence, but rather the utter waste of chance after chance. Two breakaways which were not capitalized on, with both Sedins not scoring on the same one. I will get into this later, as they will be the first entry for my "Good Cop, Bad Cop," recurring entries, but you are the highest paid guy on the team, and wear an "A" you HAVE to bury that puck, zero excuses. 

One thing which has baffled me early in this young season is the shuffling of lines. Seems like a guy will have a decent game, then next game they are out, or lines are changed. I get you're trying to figure out who plays best with who, but isn't that what the preseason is for Willie? Radim Vrbata, who is still without a goal, seems to have new line-mates every game. From what I hear consistency helps with a guy in a slump, especially six games into the season.

My point is this game was winnable, very winnable, but yet again we were subjected to scoring chances being as good as goals, at least thats the way it seems from the postgame show. Also, while I am rambling here, at about 9:20 of that video we get the "Hey did you know your record against the Oilers????" Really, this is sports "journalism" now? Miller has been in the league since my old ass was still in college, and the Oilers have been down for a good majority of that time, so to bring that up is so stupid.

I know I am being Debbie Downer right now, but this loss was inexcusable in my book, especially with the chances they had. When your highest paid duo can't score on a breakaway and a wide open net, this is a game you gave away, and if you're giving away games this early in the season, don't whine when you finish lower than you wanted to. *Ranting done*

About Last Night: October 16, 2015 vs St Louis

 

*This is a new feature I am hoping to keep up-to-date where I review the game from the night before. I will play it by ear for the few day games that pop up.


I have to admit, that was a frustrating game, but I guess every loss is in it's own way. I think what made it the most frustrating was the Canucks are a better team than St. Louis. Nothing against them, but the Canucks looked flat-footed on defence and slow to the puck (which Willie acknowledged in postgame), especially in their zone. Passing looked real lazy, specifically coming from the defence. Edler made a very poor choice on a stretch pass that led to the Blues second goal, and Hamhuis had another in the third, luckily only turning into a chance, not a goal.

They had some chances, with five PPs and not converting one. It kind of gives me flashbacks, and not the good kind (acid). Their ability to get the puck out of the defensive zone was also frustrating. At times it seemed like St. Louis had a PP, with multiple Canucks chasing the puck. Then there was the matter of the lines.

Derek Dorsett saw time on the second line, which is curious to me. I like Dorsett, and am a big fan of his. I Tweeted at the time of the trade it was a great pickup and I also liked his contract extension (this was before the Prust trade, but Dorsett's fault btw). However, him on the second line is a stretch. When he and Bo had an odd man rush early in the second period Bo shot, and I can't say I blame him.  We can play coulda/woulda/shoulda all day, but would he have shot if he had Vrbata or even McCann over there? I know, I know, I'm nitpicking.

A look on the bright side though, they did hold St. Louis to 0 for 4 on PPs, which is good to see, and Brandon Sutter's short-handed goal was awesome, and albeit very early in his Canucks tenure I have been impressed so far. Ben Hutton had over 20 minutes of TOI and just over three on the PP, while McCann notched another goal. Long story short, despite a loss the kids (relative term) still look alright.

I don't think this game is an indicator of anything, other than maybe they didn't take their opponent as seriously as they could have? I am obviously guessing why they came out so flat and lost this game, but again got some flashbacks to a few years ago where it would take this team a period and a half to wake up. Not sure if thats on ice leadership or what the deal is, but its getting a little old. All they talked about postgame was how good St. Louis is, well guess what Canucks? You're pretty freaking good yourselves!