Canucks Player Grades: Sherwood’s grit not enough in 5-2 loss to Blues

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Antoine Roussel would drag them into the fight. So would Derek Dorsett.

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Kiefer Sherwood has willingly carried on that franchise tradition for the Vancouver Canucks and the feisty right-winger did everything possible to keep his club in contention Monday at Rogers Arena.

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He scored twice to cut deficits to 2-1 and 3-2 against the St. Louis Blues, nearly netted his second career hat trick, dished out five heavy hits, had four shots and seven attempts. The faithful even chanted his name and his fourth line was by far the most effective team combination.

And yet it wasn’t nearly enough as the Canucks served up a turkey in a disturbing 5-2 loss.

Breaking out pucks at pace was the plan but proved to be a big problem. The Blues clogged up the neutral zone and simple zone exits were sloppy. On two early occasions in short order, Evander Kane couldn’t corral lead passes by Quinn Hughes and both flubs turned into icings to kill momentum.

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It was that kind of game as the Canucks dropped to 1-2-0.

How else do you explain positioning on the Blues’ third goal. On a quick strike power play, Jimmy Snuggerud was the benefactor after Tyler Myers was stripped of the puck behind the net, and with Marcus Pettersson also prone on the endboards, it was left to a sprawling Drew O’Connor and Kevin Lankinen to dive in vain.

“We’ve got to be ready from puck drop,” said Sherwood. “It starts with executing with our passes. When we aren’t, we’re chasing and you have to work twice as hard to get the puck back. They’re a good rush team and we gave them too many looks.”

Even when the Canucks had power play chances, they squandered them and are now 0-for-7 in three outings. Canucks head coach Adam Foote said it wasn’t a pressing problem but acknowledged adjustments may be made. Same with other missing parts of the club’s wayward game.

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“Obviously, not the result we wanted,” Hughes said in a short frustrated retort to post-game queries. “We definitely have to change some things up. They (Blues) were making more plays and we just weren’t matching them. We need more communication.”

Early in the season, it’s as much a problem as lack of practice time. In a condensed schedule, game-day skates are going to becoming teaching sessions. The Canucks practise Tuesday, travel Wednesday, play Thursday in Dallas and Friday in Chicago as part of a five-game, eight-day eastern grind.

“It’s going to be for everyone in the league, and for us, we would have preferred it (long trip) down the line,” said Foote.

REPORT CARDS

Jake DeBrusk (C-)

Chance on early forecheck to hit, used stick, lost battle. Held to two third-period shots.

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Elias Pettersson (C)

Early turnover in own zone, hooking minor in second, one shot, won seven of 12 draws.

Brock Boeser (C)

Had Grade A chance in slot when Pettersson knocked down puck. But just one shot.

Evander Kane (C)

Two whacks at puck in third period but couldn’t convert. Three shots, six attempts.

Filip caught (c)

Blues went after him hard to take away playmaking options. Managed three shots.

Conor Garland (B+)

Strong opening shift with presence and shot. Five shots overall, eight attempts.

Drew O’Connor (C)

Late on two backcheck goals. Third period tripping minor, then drew penalty.

Braeden Cootes (C)

Hard to grade. Played smart, solid game, but logged just 10:34. No shots.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki (C)

Good at finding open ice and that shot. Wasn’t there in 11:30 of ice. No shots.

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Arshdeep Bains (C)

Did his job on fourth line. Good slot scoring chance, no penalties, assist.

Aatu Raty (B-)

Good at winning defensive-zone draws on PK and aggressive with five hits.

Kiefer Sherwood (A)

Led by example. Doesn’t cheat game. Could have had hat trick. Top-notch.

Quinn Hughes (B)

Tried to dictate tempo but minus-3, three giveaways, five shots, nine attempts.

Filip Hronek (C+)

High-sticking minor after club down 3-1. One shot, six attempts, three giveaways.

Elias (D-Petey) Pettersson (B-)

Smooth move up to second pairing. Reads game well, good positioning, active stick.

Tyler Myers (C+)

Early shot off iron from point, but knocked off puck in PP sequence to give Blues 3-1 lead.

Marcus Pettersson (C)

Reached with stick instead of engaging on first goal. Early zone exit turnover. Off night.

Victor Mancini (C+)

Big, mobile and defensive positioning away from the puck is getting much better.

Kevin Lankinen (C)

Gave up rebound on opening goal, needed more support. Same on second, third goals.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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