‘You’re going to go through a lot of adversity and it’s how you handle it. Block out the outside noise. Things can change in 72 or 24 hours.’ — Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet
At the top of the NHL cliché podium is the well-worn and saving summation labelled “the process.”
Recommended Videos
It’s a coach’s go-to move, that spoken salve to heal the wounds of suspect individual or collective play, or even bail out the guy calling the shots behind the bench. Above all, it buys time to right the wrongs, as long as there is progress.
Seven new players and three currently recalled. A cancer diagnosis. A Vezina Trophy finalist continuing to rehab a knee injury. A 40-goal sniper sidelined by a concussion. And a 103-point winger on an indefinite leave of absence.
All that has added to the pressure to perform at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena — the Canucks are tied for the fewest home-ice wins at 3-5-2 — and is countered by resolve, resilience and consistency to amass a sparkling 7-1-0 road record.
“You’re going to go through a lot of adversity and it’s how you handle it,” stressed Tocchet. “Block out the outside noise. Things can change in 72 or 24 hours.”
The Minnesota Wild are the only other club with just one regulation road setback (9-1-3), but in their eight away tests, the Canucks have been just as impressive.
They have outscored the opposition 29-17, outshot them 231-217, are 6-for-24 on the power play (25 per cent) and 22-for-27 on the penalty kill — including four perfect nights — for 81.1 per cent efficiency.
The their credit, the Canucks withstood a late charge in a testosterone-injected matchup.
“That (Hughes ejection) was a lot to throw at the team and we handled it well,” said Tocchet. “I’m proud of the guys. We hung in there and grinded out a win. We did a good job of managing the puck and played a smart game and a really terrific game.”
Here’s what awaits the Canucks this week:
Canucks vs. Bruins
When and where: Tuesday 4 p.m. | TD Garden
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: What’s wrong in Boston?
Did Jim Montgomery suddenly forget how to coach? He was fired Monday after the Bruins lost 5-1 to Columbus on home ice to fall to 9-9-3 and replaced by associate coach Joe Sacco. On Sunday, Montgomery supplanted fired interim coach Drew Bannister in St. Louis. Montgomery guided the Bruins to 109 points last season and won the Jack Adams the previous season with 65 wins.
The former Canucks blueliner is a good sound bite, especially when he plays with bite. That’s still there but not as dramatic with 62 hits in 22 games. The lack of diligence has hurt. Zadorov, 29, has a team-high 30 giveaways and 46 penalty minutes. The hulking Russian has popped up in trade rumours, but his six-year, US$30 million contract is a hindrance to suitors.
Canucks vs. Penguins
When and where: Wednesday 4:30 p.m. | PPG Paints Arena
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Time waits for no one
The Penguins should pack a punch with notable veterans but nobody has hit double digits in goals through 23 games. Age plays a factor in a 25th-ranked offence, last in the Metropolitan Division at 7-12-4 and trailing the wild-card playoff race. Pittsburgh was the NHL’s third-oldest team on opening night (30.0 average age) behind Edmonton (30.6) and Nashville (30.2).
Who to watch: Centre Sidney Crosby
The Penguins captain did what he could Saturday with a goal, seven shots and winning 63 per cent of faceoffs in a demoralizing 6-1 home-ice loss to Utah. On Friday, he didn’t have a single shot and took out his frustrations by fighting Kyle Connor in a 4-1 loss to Winnipeg at home. At 37, Crosby is still hard to budge from front of the net but doesn’t have the supporting cast.
Canucks vs. Sabres
When and where: Friday 12 p.m. | TD Garden
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Danger game, Sabre rattling
Who to watch: Centre Tage Thompson
Often flies under the NHL radar when rating premier pivot players, but his imposing 6-foot-6, 220 presence has brought 11 goals through 16 games this season. The 2016 first-round pick by the Blues has only gone pointless in three games and is on a heater with 14 points (8-6) in his last 10 games. Had 76 goals (29-47) in the previous two seasons.