Canucks Player Grades: Tired legs in 2-1 loss to Predators

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In fairness to the Vancouver Canucks, five games in eight nights is pretty tough.

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Also in fairness to the Vancouver Canucks, it’s pretty tough to make your way in the National Hockey League when you’ve got just one legitimate offensively-able centre in the lineup.

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All that said, Thursday’s 2-1 loss to the very-middle-of-the-road Nashville Predators was dismal. The Canucks struggled to maintain much pressure and even when they did, shots were few and far between.

The fact that they can’t score is down both to the loss of Filip Chytil, who had been a very consistent offensive contributor, some diminishment in the otherwise outstanding play of captain Quinn Hughes and simple probability: you may recall that we noted in this space last weekend how ridiculously high the Canucks’ even-strength shooting percentage had been in the early going.

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The Canucks’ style of play under Adam Foote, so far, has proven to be one that leans heavily on hard work and desire, which is in tune with the bulk of the roster. The bulk of the roster is not of Pettersson or Hughes type: it’s a lunch pail brigade who will win plenty of hearts but who will have to earn every inch of ice to find success.

That’s just a hard way to live.

Even as they were badly outshot 35-22 by Nashville, the Canucks were actually in it right until the finish. Brock Boeser had a glorious chance as the clock wound down and he and his mates had plenty of possession in the closing stages of the game.

There are going to be a lot more games like this season: tight checking, low on thrills. Some of those the Canucks will win; the question is will they be able to win more of these kinds of games than they lose?

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As expected

Nashville held more of the puck and although the Canucks had better chances in the scoreless first, on the whole it was the Predators who generated marginally better chances as the game wore on.

But even then, many of the Predators chances were on weird angles at the side of the net.

Either way, the Predators came away just shy of two expected goals based on the quality of the shots they took, according to the hockey data website Natural Stat Trick. The Canucks’ shots added up to just over one goal.

Now a look at how each Canucks’ game went …

Forwards

Elias Pettersson C+

Nice early forecheck to force a turnover off Brady Skjei. Nice pass to set up Boeser on the late first period power play. Great chance on second period PP but can’t bury it. Carried the puck all night. Had three shot attempts but you’d still like him to get some more dangerous shots off.

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Evander Kane C+

Nice breakout pass. Good forecheck to help create that in-tight Pettersson chance. Caught being lazy on boards early in third, leads to Nashville chance in close. Had three shots on goal.

Conor Garland B-

Created a nice in-tight chance for his centreman but some poor passes in the first. Played a ton down the stretch and continues to be the Canucks’ best forward at carrying the puck in tight quarters.

Max Sasson B

What a goal! Made a marvellous move to break clear of the Nashville defence and then a masterful finish to beat Juuse Saros. He’s not playing a ton but he’s making the most of his icetime … on offence. Defensively he struggled. His line didn’t have much chemistry and it showed as they got pinned in their own end more than once.

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Jake DeBrusk C

Quiet night offensively. As noted above, struggled for chemistry with his line. Was pretty active on the power play, but the power play made no difference and it really could have.

Brock Boeser C+

Had some handy puck touches and you could see how much he brings just by default over Joseph LaBate. Had a great chance with no time left but Saros just gave nothing away on this night. But, again, his line was pinned in its own end too much.

Aatu Raty B-

Actually got two great chances last in the first, one a tip, the other a bang-bang from behind the net. Best scoring chances he’s had all season really. And his best overall game of the season too. Played the body hard.

Drew O’Connor C+

A couple nice plays in a late first period shift to set up Raty. Bad read late in second which nearly led to a two on one. Just doesn’t have the hands to play higher in the lineup.

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Kiefer Sherwood C

It’s not often that there’s little to note in Sherwood’s game, but this was one of those.

Nils Aman C-

Early attack but couldn’t keep control of the puck. Didn’t play much as the night went along. Nothing in his game screams “must stay in the NHL.”

Arshdeep Bains C-

Can’t handle Hronek break out pass and it becomes O’Reilly SH goal. Barely played otherwise.

Linus Karlsson C+

What a pass to nail Sasson in stride. Had some nice forays down the boards and had a decent chance on the power play. Best of a weak fourth line bunch tonight.

Defence

Quinn Hughes B-

Not a vintage performance. He played nearly half an hour and he looked tired. Got pinned in his own end more than you’d think.

Philip Hronek C+

Bains can’t handle breakout pass from Hronek and it becomes the O’Reilly SH goal. Had some defensive gaffes too. He’s had better games.

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Marcus Pettersson B

Great forecheck in first period. Skated with confidence.

Tyler Myers B

Defensive gaffe in second period that led to Matt Wood chance alone in front but otherwise had an excellent night. Maybe the best all around Canucks defenceman on this night. Hughes’ shifts with Myers looked a lot calmer than Hughes’ with Hronek.

Elias Pettersson C+

Some nice defensive plays in the second. Generally steady with the puck but offensive contributions remain minimal.

P-O Joseph C

Barely played. Not looking terribly confident in his minutes.

GOAL

Thatcher Demko A

Canucks had a few defensive breakdowns and he stood tall again. Would like the O’Reilly goal back, but he kept his team in the game and gave them a chance for at least a point.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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