Dec 6, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) skates throughout heat up previous to a recreation in opposition to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Rogers Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Bob Frid-Imagn Photos The Vancouver Canucks might need Thatcher Demko formally again in motion as they attempt to get on monitor on residence ice in opposition to the visiting St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.
The Canucks’ excellent 10-2-1 highway document has been undermined by a 4-6-3 document at residence. Solely the Chicago Blackhawks (eight) and Utah Hockey Membership (10) have fewer residence factors than the 11 factors the Canucks have tallied in Vancouver this season.
The opening two video games of the Canucks’ present six-game homestand mirrored the staff’s lack of ability to maintain momentum in their very own constructing. Vancouver earned a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, but it surely then suffered a late breakdown in Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
With the rating tied 2-2 on the 14:09 mark of the third interval, some miscommunication led to the Canucks receiving a penalty for too many males on the ice. Jake Guentzel then scored on the following energy play for what proved to be the Lightning’s game-winning purpose.
Vancouver was 0-for-3 on energy performs, whereas Tampa Bay went 2-for-4.
“Particular groups received the sport for them. … I believed five-on-five we had been advantageous,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet stated. “Simply clearly unlucky, cannot have that too-many-men (penalty).”
Demko’s looming return from a lingering knee damage might assist spark the Canucks. Demko hasn’t performed because the Canucks’ first recreation of the Stanley Cup playoffs in late April, however the goaltender has served as Kevin Lankinen’s backup in Vancouver’s previous two video games with out seeing any ice time.
Moderately than having Demko face the high-scoring Lightning or the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Thursday, Tocchet and his employees could be seeking to ease Demko again into motion in between these video games, in opposition to the extra restricted St. Louis offense. The Blues rank close to the underside of the NHL in each targets (72) and pictures per recreation (26.9).
St. Louis did have a five-game level streak (4-0-1) earlier than Saturday’s 4-2 highway loss to the Edmonton Oilers. It was the Blues’ first regulation defeat since Jim Montgomery was employed because the staff’s coach.
Down 3-0 after two intervals in opposition to the Oilers, St. Louis made it a 3-2 recreation at 13:09 of the third interval. However simply 69 seconds after Jake Neighbours scored the Blues’ second purpose, Troy Stecher scored to stifle the St. Louis rally.
“We performed somewhat bit too passive within the first two intervals,” Blues ahead Dylan Holloway stated. “Third interval we type of had a push and the push was good, however simply not sufficient, somewhat too late.”
Jordan Binnington allowed 4 Oilers targets on simply 21 pictures because the Blues goaltender continued his inconsistent season. Binnington has an 8-10-2 document and a .897 save proportion in 21 video games and is anticipated to start out once more on Tuesday.
The red-hot Quinn Hughes leads the Canucks with 32 factors (seven targets, 25 assists). 13 of these factors (three targets, 10 assists) have come throughout the star defenseman’s ongoing seven-game level streak.
Holloway has 9 factors (5 targets, 4 assists) throughout a six-game level streak. Jordan Kyrou leads the Blues with 23 factors (9 targets, 14 assists).
–Area Degree Media
