The Canucks pulled into a tie with the Flames for the final wild-card spot with 71 points apiece, but Calgary has a game in hand.
In Vancouver, we’re always waiting for “The Big One.”
Not a big earthquake. The big game. The one that captivates. The one that either excites or infuriates.
Pettersson is playing at better pace, with improved playmaking, engagement and release. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“I’m really happy for him,” said Hughes. “He took a lot of crap this year and we obviously need him. He showed up today and brought his ‘A’ game and we’re going to need him to continue to do it. I’m obviously proud of him.
“He’s a competitive guy, too, and you don’t get to the level that he has got to without having that inner jam and desire. It’s been a hard little run for him but he’s a great player and he’s going to be just fine. You saw it out there.”
The comeback allowed the Canucks to pull into a tie with the Flames for the final wild-card spot with 71 points apiece, but Calgary has a game in hand.
Drama, drama, drama drama
In a season of so much drama, there was even more in the raucous Saddledome.
It only applied more pressure to defend and for Hughes to log more minutes.
The captain played a whopping 29:48, including 6:23 on the power play, and often looked exhausted on the bench. But he was the catalyst for extended offensive-zone time and power play flow. It allowed the Canucks to build a lead but then blow it in a clash that had an edgy feel usually reserved for the post-season.
“They (Flames) are a competitive group and that’s why they’re in the position, but we’re competitive, too,” said Hughes. “It’s tough because I’ve been really lucky in my career and the most games I’ve missed in a year was six games, and I had some complications this year that I didn’t foresee.
“Thankfully, I felt good and played the way I wanted to. The next couple of games I’ll be feeling it a little bit more and it will come back to me quickly.”
Surviving yet another great fade
The Canucks appeared in control midway through the second period.
They had a 2-1 lead and were going on the power play with an opportunity to build a cushion. And in their anxiousness to get the job done, the Flames were able to get to the puck and spring a 2-on-0 breakaway in which Huberdeau converted a cross-ice pass past a sprawling Lankinen.
Huberdeau then struck again two minutes later on the power play as the league’s fifth-ranked penalty kill couldn’t contain the rotating Flames and a deflected wrist shot found the high-side corner. The Canucks were often guilty of not being properly positioned or communicating.
The Flames erased a 1-0 deficit late in the first period when Rasmus Andersson sent a long laser pass to Kadri who broke in alone. Lankinen bit on his fake shot before the Flames centre went to the forehand deke. Marcus Pettersson and Elias Pettersson sere too spread out in defending, especially after the rookie blueliner went wide to check a winger.
Hughes pass, DeBrusk chaos
We’re not sure which gear Hughes was able to find after missing five games, but it didn’t take long for the Canucks captain to ramp up the pace and put his club in a better place
Early in the first period, he accelerated into the offensive zone, made a quick pivot to split two defenders, and sent a laser cross-ice pass to Drew O’Connor, who wasn’t ready to handle and convert the feed. Lesson learned. Head up. Stick on ice.
After taking a cross-check from Ryan Lomberg while zipping through the neutral zone — and then having the Flames agitator get back in his face — he powered the power play. Hughes calmly walked the line, motioned with his stick for players to rotate, and then moved back into the high slot.
His heavy wrist shot found DeBrusk, who was well positioned for a tip, for his team-leading 23rd goal and 11th with the man-advantage to provide a 2-1 lead. DeBrusk had promised to create more chaos and get to the net with purpose. He did that with his 16h road goal that ranks seventh.
Suter can really measure up
A consensus at the trade deadline was a preference for big centres to prep for the playoff bump and grind.
Suter opened scoring in the first period by reading the play and smartly moving into good position. His initial shot was blocked but he anticipated where the puck was going and his second attempt went off a skate for his 17th goal. Good return for versatility at a bargain US$1.8 million cap hit.
Sure will obviously want salary and term in his next deal. The Canucks were searching for centre-ice help at the deadline, namely big Josh Norris, and the trickle-down effect of off-season moves could affect Suter.
OVERTIME — Flames captain Michael Backlund suffered an upper-body injury in the first period on a corneboards collision with Victor Mancini. He played one more shift and missed the final 7:57 of the frame.