After weeks of fluctuATING fortunes, the Vancouver Canucks hit the ice against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Monday evening, eager to rebound from their recent struggles. With the team missing key players, including Elias Pettersson, who has been sidelined with injury, the return of captain Quinn Hughes loomed large as the Canucks aimed to capitalize on their opponents' recent challenges.
Quinn Hughes, who missed the last four games due to injury, celebrated his 400th game as he took to the ice against Montreal. The milestone came at a time when the Canucks desperately needed leadership, having gone just 1-2-1 during his absence. Averaging only 23.8 shots per game and scoring just eight goals without Hughes, the Canucks' need for his presence was palpable.
This matchup marked the first of two encounters between these teams this season, with another scheduled for March 11. Both teams entered the game at pivotal moments: Vancouver holding onto the last wildcard position out West, whilst Montreal sought to climb back to playoff contention.
Montreal boasted its own challenges, with stars Patrik Laine and David Savard ruled out for the contest due to injuries. This left Montreal, sitting at 18-18-3, relying heavily on players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield to step up. The Canadiens knew this was their chance to gain traction as they paced themselves through the midpoint of the season.
Going by the analytics from the previous meeting just days prior, the Canucks had fallen short to the Canadiens 5-4, allowing Montreal to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Vancouver faced intense pressure, and their failure to convert scoring chances led to giving up leads late game.
Quinn Hughes’ performance during this latest game, combined with the return of other players to the lineup, was perceived as integral if the Canucks were to find momentum. Despite Hughes only recently returning, he remained influential on ice, clocking significant ice time and contributing to the score sheet.
Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser were slated to refresh their scoring efforts, having not been as effective lately. With Vancouver's record showing they had fared relatively well against the Canadiens historically, they had high hopes heading this matchup.
By the time the puck dropped at 4:30 PM PST, the stakes remained high. Both teams not only fought for points but also to gain confidence heading deepER INTO the season. The Canucks could use every game as preparation for postseason aspirations, and the Canadiens needed to find their footing as they sought victory.
Montreal started with Sam Montembeault between the pipes, boasting 14 wins against 15 losses, and through this contest, they aimed to utilize their home-ice advantage. They proceeded to replicate their previous success against Vancouver. Meanwhile, rookie Arturs Silovs suited up as the backup behind Lankinen once again, as Thatcher Demko remained sidelined.
Continually maintaining pressure early caught the Canucks off-guard, and the Canadiens put on the heat. They quickly built momentum, and their early scoring blitz pushed the Canucks back on their heels.
Midway through the first period, the Canucks settled down, thanks largely to Hughes’ defensive acumen. Hughes quickly reminded the fans what they had missed during his absence – poise under pressure, skill on puck retrievals, and deft passing to set up offensive plays.
Despite Hughes’ return, the Canucks’ special teams struggled to click, which had been another concerning trend during their last few outings. The inability to convert on various power play opportunities weighed on the team throughout the night. Every missed chance felt heavier, especially as the Canadiens capitalized on their own opportunities.
On the defensive side, Hughes played 26+ minutes, often paired with Tyler Myers. Together, they showcased flashes of brilliance, but their efforts were not always enough to offset the scoring prowess of Montreal's top lines. The lack of continuity became evident as the game progressed. The Canadiens outgunned the Canucks 24-13 on even-strength chances, showcasing their superior offensive adaptations.
Late-game adjustments fell short as Vancouver struggled to gather final opportunities, experiencing quickly changed momentum generating frustration among the players and fans alike. Although Hughes emerged as the standout player with two points upon his return, the collective effort fell short and Vancouver was unable to capitalize on their chances.
Just as the analytics revealed post-game, the ability for Vancouver to generate high-danger chances elicited doubt among supporters, straddling the line of hope and skepticism as the team continued to navigate through troubled waters.
With the loss, the Canucks failed to distance themselves from the pack as the Flames continued to make inroads on their own postseason aspirations. The standings revealed dire need for the Canucks to regain healthy players and find chemistry moving forward.