Stunning collapses aren’t new. Five years ago, the Canucks held a 6-3 lead in the third period at Pittsburgh. The Penguins then exploded for five goals in less than 14 minutes for a stunning 8-6 triumph.
That’s the allotted amount of time many NHL coaches give their players to celebrate victory or get over a defeat.
If it’s of any comfort to the Canucks, blowing a big lead is not new. Five years ago, they held what seemed like a comfortable a 6-3 lead in the third period at Pittsburgh.
The Penguins, who were without superstar Sidney Crosby, exploded for five goals in less than 14 minutes — including pair in 68 seconds — in a stunning 8-6 triumph that left Canucks coach Travis Green perplexed.
“It’s 6-3 and our team is feeling pretty good and we make a couple of individual mistakes and it’s 6-5 quick and then we felt the heat a little bit,” admitted Green. “You could feel it in the building. Malkin kind of took over.
“We had a young group of forwards and they probably haven’t been in that kind of a scenario in the NHL — maybe ever — and it felt all of a sudden like we couldn’t make the play.”
Fast forward and much of what Green saw and said that crazy night in Pittsburgh will test Tocchet to right the ship.
It’s not as simple and tossing Saturday’s free-fall into the garbage and moving on. In their next 10 games, the Canucks open with four against non-playoff teams (Flames, Kraken, Predators, Canadiens) and then get the stiff litmus test against the Capitals, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Jets, Kings, and Oilers.
Seven of those games are on the road where the Canucks have a remarkable 10-3-2 record. They’re only 7-7-6 at home.
The message should be simple to the Canucks. They played great for 55 minutes Saturday, but they played awful the next 7:15.
“There were four non-execution plays in a row on their goals,” lamented Tocchet. “We needed someone to calm the waters down a bit. These ones hurt. We have to pick some guys up and I’m sure there are a couple who don’t feel good about themselves.
“We have to make sure they’re ready for the next game.”
Here’s what the Canucks are facing this week:
Canucks vs. Flames
When and where: Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Scotiabank Saddledome
TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Flames favourite Dustin Wolf
The rookie goaltender is doing what Arturs Silvos did upon arrival to “The Show.” He has been putting on a show. The loss of veteran Jacob Markstrom was expected to leave the Flames in a crease conundrum, but Wolf has answered the call in impressive fashion.
Wolf, 23, was also tabbed as goalie of the future with an outstanding AHL career in which he was twice named top stopper. In the NHL, he has superlative numbers on home ice — 9-1-1 record, 2.06 goals-against average, and .935 save percentage. However, the 2019 seventh-round has just two wins in seven road starts.
Who to watch: Left winger Jonathan Huberdeau
Worked in the lost-and-found department since arriving in the multiplayer Matthew Tkachuk swap. Expectation seldom matched execution and an eight-year, US$84 million Flames contract added pressure. Struggled with 15 and 12 goals respectively last two seasons, but is on a 30-goal pace with 15 in his first 36 games. Has four goals in last four games.
Canucks vs. Kraken
When and where: Thursday, 7 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena
TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Avenging horrible, historic loss
We all know what happened Saturday in the great fade at Rogers Arena. The Canucks blew a 4-1 lead with less than five minutes remaining in a brutal 5-4 overtime loss to Seattle. The Kraken had lost five straight, but shoddy defending and poor clearing decisions all played into the worst franchise loss when leading by three or more goals with five minutes left.
Who to watch: Left winger Jaden Schwartz
Canucks vs. Predators
When and where: Friday, 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena
TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Home cooking is lacking
Like a bad meal, when the Canucks lost 5-3 to the Predators on Nov. 17 at Rogers Arena, it was hard to stomach. Their home record fell to 3-4-3, in which they allowed five goals of five occasions, and they also gave up a pair of power-play goals. Miller played just two third-period shifts, and two days later, would take an indefinite leave of absence.
Who to watch: Right winger Jonathan Marchessault
Diminutive and shifty forward has knack for scoring big goals. Leads his club with 13 and 10 and even strength through 36 games. He has scored six goals in the last five games in which he has amassed eight points (6-2).