Canucks Schedule: What happened to that ‘All In. All Together’ slogan?

It didn’t look that way when it mattered most on Saturday. Is it time for Rick Tocchet to make a bold move, with games this week against the Sharks and Kraken?

It’s common practice to avoid critiquing a victory because, at least for one night, it solves everything.

You can sweep a lot of dirt under the hockey rug, and ignore that growing mound of concern, when you win the night. Nobody is dwelling at length about blown coverage or scoring slumps, or even an uneasy feeling in the room, when it’s two points instead of none.

On other end of the spectrum is losing. It exposes the ugly things. Indecision and indifferent play, frustration and the lingering feeling that the system, or someone is to blame for lack of harmony on or off the ice, is a common thread that runs through every NHL team at some point.

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Goalie Leevi Merilainen and Jake Sanderson of the Senators keep Danton Heinen from scoring Saturday.Photo by Rich Lam /Getty Images

Jake Sanderson then threaded a long lead pass to Claude Girioux, and with Boeser losing a foot race to catch Josh Norris, the centre took a cross-ice feed before beating Kevin Lankinen.

“I don’t know if he got surprised. I told Boeser before he went out to make sure the guys reload because they (Senators) are going to take off. And boom.

“There were a lot of good things that we liked, but we gave about five odd-man rushers and to me that made no sense. I’m not sure what a couple of guys were thinking. When there’s danger, or a 50-50 puck anywhere on that half-wall in their end, you’ve got to reload.

“We can’t gamble. It’s river hockey. You can’t play that way.”

It’s customary to tinker with the lineup after a loss, but Tocchet should consider being bold. If Miller and Pettersson are going to resolve their differences, play them together at even strength and reunite the Lotto Line. They would be forced to find some chemistry and maybe some inner harmony.

Last January, the trio combined for 27 points in a four-game tour of force on the road. Pettersson exploded for 12 points (7-5), including four game-winners. Miller had eight points (3-5) and Boeser seven points (3-4). The potential has always been there if Tocchet wanted to play that hand.

Might be harder now with the apparent discord, but why not give it a shot? That’s not happening.

“It’s not about switching lines,” Tocchet stressed Sunday. “We’re a four-line team.”

Here’s what awaits the Canucks this week:

Canucks vs. Sharks

When and where: Monday, 6 p.m. | Rogers Arena

TV: Amazon Prime. Radio: Sportsnet 650

Why watch: New and the (getting) old

We’re accustomed to former Canucks winger Tyler Toffoli riding shotgun on a veteran-laded line. His seventh NHL stop in San Jose is to help shepherd rookie Macklin Celebrini, 18, is touring into a rejuvenation tour. Toffoli has 13 goals through 36 games and on pace for 29. Not bad at age 32 and on a last-place team.

Who to watch: Winger Macklin Celebrini

After his debut, the North Vancouver puck wizard missed 12 games with a lower-back injury. But it didn’t take long to show a dizzying array of assets. No-look passes on the tape and beating a defender out of the corner by playing the puck to himself from off the boards. Has 11 goals in 24 games and seven points (3-4) in last five games.

Canucks vs. Kraken

When and where: Saturday, 1 p.m. | Rogers Arena

TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650

Why watch: Rolling trade dice on Kakko

The second-overall pick by the New York Rangers in the 2019 NHL draft had but 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 30 games before being deal to the Kraken on Wednesday. In return, the Kraken parted with defenceman Will Borgen, plus third- and sixth-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Who to watch: Winger Jared McCann

It sounds like a broken record, but McCann remains one of those who got away. The former Canucks forward leads the Kraken in scoring with 26 points (11-15) in 35 games and is also tops with nine even-strength goals. Has often been a Canucks killer.

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