Canucks Player Grades: Tolopilo nearly saves day in 2-1 loss to Vegas

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There was the Bruce Bump in Vancouver. And now we get the Torts Touch in Las Vegas.

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Bruce Boudreau made NHL history by winning his first seven games behind the Canucks bench in the 2021-22 season. And John Tortorella has won his first four as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights after replacing the fired Bruce Cassidy on March 30.

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So, in an NHL season that has gone completely sideways for the last-place Canucks, the sideshow of Tortorella returning to Vancouver and the scene of his erratic and entertaining one-year reign of error in the 2013-14 season provided some level of interest Tuesday at Rogers Arena.

After all, in the second last regular season home game of a crippling and confidence-crushing campaign, the entertainment value of one team hanging on to a playoff position, and the other becoming the first to be mathematically eliminated in that chase, meant trotting out the question of could the Canucks play spoiler?

The answer was no in a 2-1 setback, but it came with one big caveat.

Nikita Tolopilo had a lot to do with keeping the issue in doubt as the Canucks were outshot 28-11. The Canucks’ record for fewest shots in a game is eight and was set on Dec. 18, 1996. For the undrafated Tolopilo, 25, the effort was a statement game to show he can evolve from raw to reliable.

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“I felt good but a little upset that we didn’t get the win,” said Tolopilo. “I don’t think I did something different and sometimes you’re lucky with the bounces. That’s hockey. The guys did a great job in front of me and there weren’t many tips or bounces.

“A lot of times I saw the puck and they made my job easier.”

Tolopilo made 10 saves in the first period and the Canucks didn’t muster a shot until a Victor Mancini shot was deflected by Aaty Raty at 14:39. And when Colton Sissons was denied on a strong move to the net in the second period, and Mitch Marner was thwarted for the fourth time, it put the shot clock at 15-4 in the scoreless struggle

When Max Sasson then whipped a wrist shot far side to open scoring in the middle frame, the upset plot thickened before a Braden McNabb shot from the point in the second period finally beat Tolopilo on the 20th shot he faced to add more drama.

The issue was finally settled when Cole Smith got by Liam Ohgren along the wall at the Canucks blue-line, was left unattended in the slot and scored at 12:13. But Tolopilo was the story and fans were chanting his name in the third period as he kept the Canucks within striking range.

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“It’s hard to be happy about something (name chanting) when we didn’t win the game” reasoned Tolopilo.

“Without Tolo, I don’t know how close it would be,” countered Sasson. “Sometimes, he doesn’t get enough credit. He battles and has been put in some tough spots. He played a heck of a game.”

With Kevin Lankinen sidelined day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Tolopilo could get a run to grow his game, especially if he maintains solid structure, doesn’t sprawl, and keeps flashing a good glove hand.

“All season every game is an opportunity,” said Tolopilo. “Nothing changes to show I can play here.”

With just one home game left the Canucks won’t get to 10 wins at Rogers Arenawhich seems beyond belief. The franchise record is just 10 victories, but that came in the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season. In a full season, there were only 13 wins in 1976-77, 1977-78, 1989-90.

Regardless, Sasson seemed at a loss to explain how inept the club has been where it needs to win the most.

“We’ve got to figure that out going into next year,” stressed Sasson. “Everyone is a little more tense at home and I have no clue why or what it is. We have to win at home if we’re going to be a good team in this league.”

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The Canucks knew they were in tough Tuesday against a club with a playoff pedigree and trending toward getting its game in order for another postseason run.

“We played hard against a heavy club that cycles and tries to hold on to pucks and that’s what we ran into,” said Canucks head coach Adam Foote. “A very experienced team that knows how to handle situations. We had some looks at the end.

“We played a team that’s solid defensively and has been doing it for a long time.”

REPORT CARDS

Forwards

Drew O’Connor (C)

Big speed, big size but quiet night, one shot, three attempts.

Elias Pettersson (C)

Got Eichel matchup, couldn’t jam home loose puck in crease.

Jake DeBrusk (C)

Chance in dying seconds. Deflected O’Connor shot over bar.

Liam Ohgren (C-)

Two shot blocks but lost Smith at blue-line on winning goal.

Marco Rossi (C)

Saw lots of Marner which was tough, good power play chance.

Brock Boeser (C)

Four shot attempts, three hits, tough go against Marner line.

Max Sasson (C+)

Speed was key to get into position to snipe 13th goal season.

Teddy Blueger (C+)

Big reason penalty kill is vastly improved, set up Sasson goal.

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Linus Karlsson (C)

Didn’t play to his strength. No net presence, just one shot.

Curtis Douglas (C)

Cross-check minor in first as Hoglander was being harassed.

Aatu Raty (C+)

Not a great night in the faceoff dot, but two good scoring chances.

Nils Hoglander (C)

Lots of try. Three hits, no shots in measured fourth-line minutes.

Defence

Zeev Buium (C+)

Drew high-sticking minor with strong wall play. Better boxing out.

Filip Hronek (B+)

Solid. Easily stripped puck off Dorofeyev on back check. Six hits.

Marcus Pettersson (C+)

Simple was solution. Better passes out of own zone, two blocks.

Victor Mancini (C)

Didn’t chase game but minus-2, turnstiled by Sissons for Grade A.

Elias Pettersson (C+)

Strong play along the walls, not losing his way in defensive zone.

Tom Willander (C+)

Picked spots to pinch without getting caught up ice. Two blocks.

Goal

Nikita Tolopilo (A)

Square, solid. calm. Trio of sharp saves in the first set right tone.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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