Canucks Can’t Keep Rolling, Fall 5–1 To Boston

On Saturday night, the Vancouver Canucks welcomed back former players Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov in their 5–1 loss to the Boston Bruins. Brad Marchand, Morgan Geekie, Pavel Zacha, Marc McLaughlin, and David Pastrnak scored for the Bruins, while Max Sasson scored the lone goal for the Canucks. Thatcher Demko made 24 saves on 29 shots, while his opponent for the night, Jeremy Swayman, stopped 19 of 20.

This morning was permeated by Abbotsford call-ups — some expected, and some unexpected. Goaltender Artūrs Šilovs was recalled to Vancouver on an emergency basis to fill in for an ill Kevin Lankinen. Derek Forbort also sat out of the game due to sickness, with Erik Brännström coming into the lineup. On the other end of the ice, Lindholm skated for the Bruins after speculation that he would be missing the game due to injury.

The game got off to a poor start for Vancouver, as the team was unable to generate many high-quality chances. As per every game against the Bruins, Canucks fans booed Marchand any time the puck was on his stick, which was an action that eventually came back to haunt them. A cross-check penalty called on Tyler Myers resulted in a power play goal scored by Marchand, who stuck a hand to his ear as fans continued booing him. Prior to the game, Boston’s power play was 32nd in the NHL with 12.6%.

Boston was able to hold onto the puck for the majority of the period, and capitalized on both their power play and even strength chances. They led 9–1 in shots just under 10 minutes into the game. The score quickly shifted to 2–0 after Pastrnak found Geekie across Demko’s crease. By the time the first 20 minutes of the game had passed, Boston led 16–4 in shots.

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It was Brännström’s first game back after sitting out the past two games. He started the game on a pairing with Mark Friedman, but the two looked slightly disjointed when playing together. Brännström was later moved onto a pairing with Myers.

The scoring didn’t stop in the first. After an early spark of offensive-zone possession by Vancouver, a breakdown in coverage allowed Pastrnak to slide the puck over to Pavel Zacha, who buried the puck to bring Boston’s lead to 3–0. On the Canucks’ first power play of the game, shots were 2–0 for the Bruins. By the end of the second period, shots were 24–16 for Boston.

While this was only Demko’s second game since April 21, he was arguably the Canucks’ best player tonight, even with the score in mind. As per usual, he made save after save to keep his team as close to a victory as he possibly could have. It was as if Vancouver settled back into the stance of comfort that they occasionally take on with Demko in the net.

The third period started with both teams down a man as a result of roughing between Marchand and J.T. Miller at the end of the second period. Within a matter of seconds, Pastrnak scored his first goal of the game, and his fourth point of the night, to make it 5–0 Boston. As much as Demko tried to keep his team in it, notably making a save on Cole Koepke’s breakaway, he could only do so much.

The score of the game was nothing to celebrate, but the night wasn’t completely devoid of cheer. Just over 10 minutes into the third, Sasson scored his first NHL goal, and the only one for the Canucks tonight. Sasson’s play has been respectable since he was called up from Abbotsford (the first time). He currently has one goal and four assists in 10 games played. In a game filled with critiques, Sasson’s first goal was a bright spot.

Facts and Stats

– J.T. Miller passes Bo Horvat in points as a Canuck with 421, taking sole position of 11th in franchise history

– Elias Pettersson passes Gerry O’Flaherty in games played in franchise history with 436

– Tyler Myers passes Donald Brashear in games played with 388, tying Dan Hamhuis for 42nd in franchise history

Scoring Summary:

1st Period

5:11 – BOS: Brad Marchand (13) from Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak (PPG)

8:08 – BOS: Morgan Geekie (5) from David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha

2nd Period

1:12 – BOS: Pavel Zacha (8) from David Pastrnak and Jordan Oesterle

11:48 – BOS: Marc McLaughlin (1) from Andrew Peeke

3rd Period

0:26 – BOS: David Pastrnak (11) from Charlie McAvoy and Pavel Zacha

10:13 – VAN: Max Sasson (1) from J.T. Miller

Up Next:

The Canucks round out their six-game homestand with a matchup against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, December 16. Fans will get to see two Norris-contending defencemen, Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar, battle it out on the ice. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.