The Canucks can’t move on and fall to Boston 5-1

On Saturday evening, the Vancouver Canucks welcomed back former players Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov after their 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. Brad Marchand, Morgan Geekie, Pavel Zacha, Marc McLaughlin and David Pastrnak scored for the Bruins, while Max Sasson scored the lone goal for the Canucks. Thatcher Demko made 24 saves on 29 shots, while his opponent that night, Jeremy Swayman, stopped 19 of 20 shots.

This morning was marked by call-ups in Abbotsford – some expected, some unexpected. Goalkeeper Artūrs Šilovs was urgently recalled to Vancouver to replace the ill Kevin Lankinen. Derek Forbort also had to miss out due to illness, and Erik Brännström came into the lineup. At the other end of the ice, Lindholm skated for the Bruins after speculation that he would miss the game due to injury.

The game started poorly for Vancouver as the team was unable to create many quality chances. As in every game against the Bruins, Canucks fans booed Marchand every time the puck was on his stick, a move that eventually came back to haunt them. A cross-checking penalty on Tyler Myers led to a power play goal scored by Marchand, who held a hand to his ear as fans continued to boo him. Before the game, Boston’s power play was 32nd in the NHL at 12.6%.

Boston was able to hold onto the puck most of the time, capitalizing on both its power play and even-strength opportunities. They led 9-1 in shots less than 10 minutes into the game. The score quickly increased to 2-0 after Pastrnak found Geekie in Demko’s goal area. As the first 20 minutes of the game elapsed, Boston led in shots, 16-4.

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It was Brännström’s first game back after sitting out the last two games. He started the game paired with Mark Friedman, but the two seemed a bit disjointed playing together. Brännström later switched to a pairing with Myers.

The scoring didn’t stop in the first game. After an early spark of Vancouver possession in the offensive zone, a breakdown in coverage allowed Pastrnak to slide the puck to Pavel Zacha, who buried the puck, increasing Boston’s lead to 3-0. On the Canucks’ first power play of the game, shots fell 2-0 to the Bruins. At the end of the second period, Boston’s shots were 24:16.

Although this was only Demko’s second game since April 21, he was arguably the Canucks’ best player tonight, even considering the result. As always, he made save after save to keep his team as close to victory as possible. It was as if Vancouver had returned to the relaxed attitude it occasionally adopts with Demko in net.

The third period began with both teams trailing due to an altercation between Marchand and JT Miller at the end of the second period. Within seconds, Pastrnak scored his first goal of the game and his fourth point of the night, making it 5-0 for Boston. As hard as Demko tried to keep his team on the ball, especially by stopping Cole Koepke’s escape attempt, he could only achieve limited success.

The result of the game was no cause for celebration, but the evening was not without celebration. Just over 10 minutes into the third, Sasson scored his first NHL goal and the only one for the Canucks tonight. Sasson’s play has been respectable since he was called up (the first time) from Abbotsford. He currently has one goal and four assists in 10 games played. In a game full of criticism, Sasson’s first goal was a bright spot.

Facts and statistics

– JT Miller passes Bo Horvat as a Canadiens with 421 points, placing him in sole possession of 11th place in franchise history

– Elias Pettersson passes Gerry O’Flaherty in games played in franchise history with 436

– Tyler Myers passes Donald Brashear in games played with 388, tying Dan Hamhuis for 42nd in franchise history

Summary of points:

1st period

5:11 – BOS: Brad Marchand (13) by Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak (PPG)

8:08 – BOS: Morgan Geekie (5) by David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha

2nd period

1:12 – BOS: Pavel Zacha (8) by David Pastrnak and Jordan Oesterle

11:48 – BOS: Marc McLaughlin (1) by Andrew Peeke

3rd period

0:26 – BOS: David Pastrnak (11) by Charlie McAvoy and Pavel Zacha

10:13 – VAN: Max Sasson (1) by JT Miller

Next:

The Canucks round out their six-game home schedule with a game against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, December 16th. Fans will see two defensemen competing with Norris, Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar, compete on the ice. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m