Miller ended his 12-game scoring drought with a level of heightened engagement that produced two goals and two assists in a tough loss
The centre of widespread attention ended a 12-game goal drought — and plenty of debate about his level of commitment — with two goals and two assists in a disheartening 5-4 overtime loss at the Bell Centre. Miller’s 26th career multi-goal game was the salve to heal some wounds about what has happened to the offence.
“If we could have got out of that (second) period 3-1, it would have settled some guys down, but we gave them that (screened) goal and it gave them a little bit of life,” said Tocchet. “It’s confidence. There are times when you need a guy to make a play.
“When teams put pressure on us, we’re just slapping pucks around. You should want the puck. Sometimes, you need contact to get pucks out and we’re a little shy in that area.”
As for Miller, Tocchet lauded the effort.
“He’s trying to do the right things,” said the bench boss. “He had a tough start with training camp and a couple of things were bothering him and he’s starting to find his game. He played a hell of a game for us tonight.”
Here’s what else we learned as Cole Caufield, Kevin Guile, Lane Hutson and Kirby Dach also scored for the Canadiens, while Kevin Lankinen had a rough night by allowing five goals on 24 shots:
Miller makes point with points
Miller drew the Canucks even midway through the first period by taking a cross-ice feed from Hoglander and quickly wiring a shot glove side. He then gave the Canucks a 2-1 lead early in the second period by getting to the net for what he would deem a much-needed ugly goal by sweeping home a Jonathan Lekkerimaki rebound.
And just 20 seconds later, Miller started a quick transition that sprung Lekkerimaki down the left side where he snapped a short-side shot to provide a two-goal cushion. Miller then saved his best for when it really mattered to draw the Canucks even at 4-4 in the third period.
On a power play, he faked a shot from the left side and his cross-ice pass to Jake DeBrusk allowed the winger to bury his team-leading 17th goal — and 12th on the road — into a wide-open net.
Got to hand it to Hughes
The Canucks captain isn’t one to complain, but he hates to sit out games or even practices.
So, whatever was going to get him back in the lineup Monday would resonate with the fleet-footed, quick-thinking and laser-like passing blueliner. Even if it was protecting an injured left hand with an apparatus and straps and tape to add a level of protection.
One way to keep Hughes from effortlessly transitioning the puck, or speeding through the neutral zone, is to give him a whack on the hands or wrists.
And in today’s game, where players often forsake protection of longer gloves for shorter and lighter varieties that off better stick feel for quicker and more accurate releases, it shouldn’t be surprising that’s what he may have endured in suffering his ailment Dec. 21, but still playing two nights later.
Hughes is a gamer.
His presence Monday settled the Canucks down. He did what he always does, walk the offensive line to look for the best passing or shooting options, or even rag the puck awaiting a line change, and it turned into more O-zone time.
He started the scoring sequence on the first Miller goal and had a second-period shift last lasted 2:06 and finished with 26:15. He also started the sequence on the DeBrusk equalizer.
Lekkerimaki takes hit, hits net
The promising prospect, who had 17 points (12-5) in 21 games with Abbotsford this season, had his head down on his first shift and was rocked by a heavy Kaiden Guhle hit that dropped the 15th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft hard to the ice.
It was one way to get a wake-up call and get back in the NHL game in his sixth regular-season outing. And as he gathered his game, it was evident why Lekkerimaki is going to have an NHL future. He has the speed, thinks the game well, and a release that coaches talk about. It’s quick, heavy and accurate.
He got one away that produced a rebound that Miller pounced on, but it was picking the short side at speed that will make the highlight reels and keep him up with the big club.
“It feels great to be back and do what I’m good at,” said Lekkerimaki.
Long and winding road
For the Canucks, their season-long challenge of combining ability with elusive sustainability has been heightened by injuries.
“With the process we’re going at, we’re too inconsistent, but in all fairness to the guys there has been a lot thrown at this team,” Tocchet said following the morning skate. “Injuries and lot of different lineups and free agents. A lot of different things.
“I’m going to take the positives. We’re (five games) over .500 and we’re not far off from some really good teams. If we can regain ourselves and get some players back and get back to the identity we had last year. Get back to a team that can be good.”
As good as the payoff team last season?
“That’s a good question,” admitted Tocchet.
Some of that will be answered by facing three division leaders on this trip — Capitals, Maple Leafs and Jets — and back-to-back games Friday and Saturday. After that, the Canucks see the Kings at home, the Oilers twice and Capitals again in a bid to gain a more solid playoff footing that just a wild-card spot.
By that time, management could either show roster faith or make changes, especially with the Miller and Pettersson disconnect.
“It’s a telling time,” admitted Tocchet. “You always want to play the better teams when you’re playing well — let’s face it — but you get to learn about some players in these stretches. Who can get a sense of where your team is at. Hopefully, we can get healthy and go from there.”
No longer the Hab-nots
Who are these guys?
Now in a playoff position, the level of engagement and energy was evident Monday. Recent history is a good example of how they got to this encouraging spot.
The Canadiens held the high-octane Avalanche to 23 shots in Denver on Saturday in an impressive 2-1 shootout victory. They have won eight of their last 10 games and won four of their last five road games against the elite.
They’ve allowed just 19 goals in a nine-game stretch, including a 4-0 blanking of the Panthers, edging the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 and topping the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2. Ironically, they lost 4-2 to league cellar-dwelling Chicago Blackhawks.
Caufield has scored in four-straight games and his 22 goals, that include seven on the power play, rank in the top 10. Speed and finish are his calling cards and aligning with playmaking captain Suzuki have him on pace for a career-high 45 goals.
OVERTIME — Kiefer Sherwood, who entered the night with a league-leading 220 hits, added 10 more Monday. Derek Forbort got a scare in a neutral-zone collision that he didn’t see coming. He left the game but later returned.