Post-Game Talk: WCQF [GM01] Canucks defeat Predators | 4-2 (Lindholm, Suter, & Joshua(2)) | Never in Doubt!

[Hammer79]

If they really wanted this matchup with the Preds then maybe their team, again with the help of future all time great Connor McDavid, could have tried not underachieving for a change. Now they're rewarded with a matchup against a team that will be hellbent on not losing to them for the 3rd year in a row. We would know: the Canucks got it done the third time against Chicago in 2011. Shouldn't be a problem for them though - besides McDavid and Draisaitl they're well taken care of in net with *checks notes* errr Stuart Skinner.

Exactly. They are a paper tiger with that goaltending.

 

[mossey3535]

Exactly. They are a paper tiger with that goaltending.

As much as I think Skinner is above average and nothing special, he is a hell of a lot better than Mike Smith. And they got to the conference final with Smith.

They have that sheer talent on the top-end, the question is will their thin defense and stars who don't play defense hold up in the long run? I would guess not personally but you never know.

Colorado showed that if your team can fire on all cylinders - offence, defense, special teams; you can get by with a poor to average goaltender. Vegas has sort of corroborated this but not completely if you ask me.

 

[mossey3535]

Excellent game at 5v5. Controlled the pace, the balance of chances, and crucially kept the game low-event.

Nashville wants a high-octane, rush-based series. The Canucks didn't give them that. They made it a slog in the NZ and controlled the OZ possession. They made it about forechecking to create chances. If they can keep doing that, they will be successful this series. Fantastic team game.

Again, I see people slagging Petey. And yeah, you want him to create goals and offense, of course. No doubt about it, he needs to do more there. But I thought his defensive game was superb. Always running the right routes, in the correct position in the DZ, being an outlet for his defensemen, getting pucks out of the zone, and good effort on the forecheck. If he squeaks that one shot under Saros' arm, (AKA gets a goal/point on the board), people would be talking about his performance very differently.

As I mentioned in the GDT, he made a lot of good defensive plays. In particular there was one pass that he intercepted that was sure to be a tap-in back door play.

Something is still not right with him but maybe he just needs to be steeped in the playoff atmosphere for a bit to get himself going.

 

[Shareefruck]

With him, and regarding people's reactions, it's not even necessarily about the results (though those are also a must in the playoffs for a guy about to make $11.6M) but about the process. The process is pretty uninspiring right now and people are calling it out. He needs to find a pulse but I maintain he also needs to get stronger so it's a little easier for him to impose himself and his skill. If it was a little easier to do that it would be easier to get his confidence back because all it would take is a few nice plays with the puck, a few individual effort goals etc. But the guy can barely stay on his skates so it feels like he doesn't even have a prayer of finding his groove again, especially this time of year.

I would have agreed with you, except that he looked that way when he suddenly started figuring it all out during that 70 point season as well. In fact, the bad version of him back then looked significantly worse than he looks now.

 

[604]

Good to see lindholm get a goal... hope it feels like a reset for him

He has a four game point streak going…that’s great for a non-PP1 guy.

 

[LordBacon]

Beating on a deadhorse here but this game just ensured me that Joshua and Zaddy are must re-signs for the club going forward.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

He generated offense today, it just didn't go in the net.

May as well use your criteria on Miller tonight. Makes 8M, pure points are the only thing that counts, where's your criticism for Miller's production? Zero shots, no points other than a 22-23 Boeser special on the EN, he must have not been worth his money today too?

Hey!

Thats not how this works!

We hate EP40 because has a new contract and Boeser is bad because he is slow.

Get with the program kiddo.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

I still have yet to personally watch a Juuse Saros game where I've been impressed by him.

Sucks to hear that you were not able to watch the game..?

 

[geebaan]

Get the brooms out fellas!

 

[MunKay]

Just finished reading the Oilers Out of Town GDT thread. What in the actual **** is wrong with those guys? Embarrassing.

 

[WiLBoY]

Edmonton fans losing their mind and making up any excuse they can on why preds suck but they got 2 superstars and still haven't achieved anything yet they talk about how poorly Nashville has rebuilt when edmonton has had tons of 1st overall picks and still in the gutter

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Again, I see people slagging Petey. And yeah, you want him to create goals and offense, of course. No doubt about it, he needs to do more there. But I thought his defensive game was superb. Always running the right routes, in the correct position in the DZ, being an outlet for his defensemen, getting pucks out of the zone, and good effort on the forecheck. If he squeaks that one shot under Saros' arm, (AKA gets a goal/point on the board), people would be talking about his performance very differently.

Yep.

The usual suspects will likely just shut up once he starts scoring again.

 

[F A N]

As much as I think Skinner is above average and nothing special, he is a hell of a lot better than Mike Smith. And they got to the conference final with Smith.

Is he though? Smith was old but he performed exceptionally well for the Oilers. Like when he ran hot he was very good. His stinkers were stinkers. Overall, Smith was more of a positive than a negative IIRC.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Some takes:

- our PP is not working, at some point gotta try and running it through someone other than Miller

- EP40 needs to get going offensively for us to have a chance at a deep run

- Lindholms best game as a Canuck. Goal was flukey but was a key part of our best line

- Demko with the best save in the playoffs so far. Worried that we are surrendering chances like that...

- Dont think we played good but found a way to win

 

[Jay26]

Yep.

The usual suspects will likely just shut up once he starts scoring again.

Yes they will, and I think everyone would welcome it. I know I'd welcome any reason to shit up about him and his struggles. I'd love nothing more.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Yes they will, and I think everyone would welcome it. I know I'd welcome any reason to shit up about him and his struggles. I'd love nothing more.

He is doing so much better than the nay sayers would have you believe.

 

[AlainVigneaultsGum]

You’re reaching….

Idk, Miller has gotten into it on the ice with guys for less lmfao.

 

[Diversification]

A few reassuring observations after game 1:

First, most of our team's game translates well to playoff hockey. It makes sense that it would, but it's nice to see that it does.

Second, our struggles to score continue to hound us. But in the playoffs, it's less of a big deal. We can afford to be patient, play structured defense and force things into extra periods playing the same way. And when we hit a patch of good puck luck like we did in that 12 second stretch, look out.

Third, Pettersson is in a funk. No doubt about it. But it's starting to come on for him. He's getting looks and is isn't deferring on the shot. He'll need to play a bit more opportunistically and selfishly though. Need to see that arrogance creep back into his swagger. Will need it before all is said and done.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Amazing come back win!
Need to come out better next game early on and find a way to get more pucks on net.
On the positive side:
1. Nashville’s record when leading after two periods is insane. Canucks had a huge third to overcome that.
2. I loved the physicality of the team. Joshua and Zadarov and Myers were physical forces all game. Best game I’ve seen from Lindholm and he was key on the winning goal by Joshua when he took out the player behind the net.
3. The star players at forward weren’t huge factors so I think the team still has another level.
4. Best third line in the league was the difference maker again. Garland, Joshua and Lindholm were all great.

 

[geebster]

Alright, game 2 I'll do a fast to keep up my pre-game superstitions

You better still be fasting when we reach the finals.

 

[geebster]

A few reassuring observations after game 1:

First, most of our team's game translates well to playoff hockey. It makes sense that it would, but it's nice to see that it does.

Second, our struggles to score continue to hound us. But in the playoffs, it's less of a big deal. We can afford to be patient, play structured defense and force things into extra periods playing the same way. And when we hit a patch of good puck luck like we did in that 12 second stretch, look out.

Third, Pettersson is in a funk. No doubt about it. But it's starting to come on for him. He's getting looks and is isn't deferring on the shot. He'll need to play a bit more opportunistically and selfishly though. Need to see that arrogance creep back into his swagger. Will need it before all is said and done.

Basically completely agree with this. With Petey especially I thought he made a lot of deft plays to linemates who were completely incapable of maintaining possession, making plays or getting it back to him. They were both bad.

Petey is a guy that draws guys to him and needs others to be able to make passes to get it back to him or to the point etc. If you don't give him anything he's going to get deleted by 2 guys.

The major thing for me is he took that slapper and it came off hard, and he shot it off the rush with his patented old toe drag. Seeing those come off his stick makes me a lot less worried. Also if not for a great toe save by Saaros Petey has the first goal of that game. The biggest negative is his body language which makes things look worse than it is.

 

[JT Milker]

im saving my virginity for when we win the cup

Ouch.

 

[Bobby9]

Yeah that Oilers OOT thread is embarrassing, especially that one guy foaming at the mouth over his contempt for Nashville as a franchise, which is likely a new thing invented tonight as a result of not winning a hockey game over another team he hates.

Oilers fans are having a existential crisis.

While they were waiting for their dynasty to form two other Canadian teams became better than them. Their franchise spent a decade tanking to amass top ten pick after top ten pick just to end up never even winning a division title.

They're embarrassed. Seething at the Canucks success. The players and fans celebrate players achievements now because deep down they know the team will never win. McDavid's 100 assists was their Stanley Cup.

Bunch of losers cheering for a bunch of losers.

 

[nucks88]

Oilers fans are having a existential crisis.

While they were waiting for their dynasty to form two other Canadian teams became better than them. Their franchise spent a decade tanking to amass top ten pick after top ten pick just to end up never even winning a division title.

They're embarrassed. Seething at the Canucks success. The players and fans celebrate players achievements now because deep down they know the team will never win. McDavid's 100 assists was their Stanley Cup.

Bunch of losers cheering for a bunch of losers.

It is really dark in there.....if LA beats them and the Canucks advance .....hooboy.....I can see a Tarantino movie in it...

 

[tantalum]

Don't look now but Lindholm with 6 points in his last 7 games. Started with 6 in 8 games then went silent perhaps due to injury (note two of those last 7 games were before he was removed from the lineup). He has played very well since his return to the lineup and provides an upgrade at center. Garland and Joshua make the line tick but Lindholm just adds a better defensive presence.