The Vancouver Canucks lost another game in an ugly way.
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Against these Bruins, who are a shadow of the club they were just two seasons ago, the Canucks were flat. Lifeless. No sign of an electric current. They lost 5-1 to the Bruins because they just didn’t have it.
Through two periods they had one shift of sustained pressure, which came after they were down 4-0.
Through two periods, they had drawn exactly one power play off the NHL’s most-penalized team.
The losses
The thing is, the Canucks are still sporting a pretty decent record.
The problem is the losses. They’ve won 15 games but just about everyone of the eight losses makes you raise your eyebrows at the very least.
The boo birds
The boos started during a second period power play and recurred here and there as the game went along.
With the lowest listed ticket price at more than $100, fans deserve to be entertained.
The product isn’t good enough.
Defensive disaster
The Canucks have been an outstanding defensive unit for the most part this season, so the first period performance truly stood out.
Natural Stat Trick credited Boston with 12, yes 12 high danger chances. No team is going to misfire on all those chances.
It was a staggeringly awful first period for Vancouver. They couldn’t defend and they couldn’t generate anything offensively either.
The Bruins outshot the hometown team 16-4 in the opening frame.
That’s just embarrassing.
I will repeat: the Bruins gave up 13 goals in the previous two games.
Kudos to Max
Max Sasson is a good story. He’s working hard.
He’ll wish his first NHL goal came in a better game — but he’s now scored one more NHL goal than the rest of us.
NEXT GAME
Monday
Colorado Avalanche vs. Vancouver Canucks
7:30 p.m., Rogers Arena, TV: ESPN Pacific, Radio: Sportsnet 650