‘We wouldn’t let him play if it was going to become a long-term thing. He’s a competitor. We’re in a dog fight and he’s just that kind of guy.’ — Rick Tocchet on Quinn Hughes injury
Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks
TV: Sportsnet Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
The buzz: Will he or won’t he?
How he feels Wednesday morning will go a long way to determining his playing status. And that’s either good or bad news. He is well enough to participate, but obviously not at his customary Grade-A best.
“There’s a little bit of pain, but we wouldn’t let him play if it was going to physically hurt him and become a long-term thing. Nobody is really 100 per cent at this time of year and he’s a competitor. We’re in a dog fight and he’s just that kind of guy.”
Tocchet did say that if there’s a window to rest Hughes for seven days to ensure he’s totally health for the final 15 games, it would be prudent. The Canucks aren’t making the playoffs without their best player.
“He’s pushing it and wants to put the team on his back, but sometimes that affects him,” said Tocchet. “We can manage his minutes but has to manage when to got and to go out there and that’s experience. We obviously have to get some game plan with him. He’s got to be careful.”
Of course, the timing of all isn’t good.
On Tuesday, the Flames hammered the Flyers 6-3 in Philadelphia to move two points up on the Canucks with 67, but have played one more game. And the upstart Ducks stunned the Oilers 6-2 in Edmonton and are now four points back of the Canucks with the same amount of games played.
Pettersson stayed out for a long post-practice skills session Sunday and had a pre-practice instruction Tuesday. That kind of willingness to improve on his season gone sideways with just 11 goals should have started long ago. He has sunk to a career low with no goals in 14 games and just 18 shots in that span.
The Canucks were also outscored 18-10 in those five road outcomes. And being ranked 31st in shots per game (25.4) and 26th offensively (3.05 goals per outing) is going a long way to coming up way short of expectations.
Aside from a penalty kill that is on an amazing 25-for-27 run the last 11 games to vault into sixth place with 82 per cent efficiency, it’s the lack of pace and push and offence and confidence. That needed middle drive and playing inside happens occasionally, but not nearly enough.
The deflating 5-2 loss in Anaheim on Thursday looked all too familiar. After taking a 2-0 lead in the first period, the Canucks crumbled in the second by allowing two rush goals in four minutes.
The history: The only history that matters is what the Canucks script from here. Last season, they were 12-7-3 in the final 22 games to hit 50 wins and 109 division-clinching points. Now, they need to go 13-4-5 just to get to the playoffs.
The hope: Boeser puts aside the business side as an unrestricted free agent on an expiring contract. He still doesn’t have an extension in advance of the trade deadline Friday. He hasn’t scored in five games and has two goals in the last 13 games.
The fear: Good start, bad finish. It’s too familiar and is destroying the season. High-risk plays often lead to turnovers and odd-man rushes. Instead of pushing for the next goal when leading, the Canucks retreat and get on their heels.
The top guns: Jake DeBrusk has a team-leading 21 goals and is on pace for a career-high 28. He had 27 on two occasions with the Boston Bruins. His 15 road goals this season rank ninth.
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The prediction: The Canucks take advantage of the Ducks playing Tuesday in Edmonton and needing a period to find their legs. The Canucks take the lead, and this time, don’t blow it in a 4-2 win.