Canucks in OCTOBER
L 2-0 vs CGY - In a close checking game the Canucks just couldn't generate many chances and didn't finish any against Devan Dubnyk, who had the 23 save shutout. Markstrom only allowed two goals, to Giordano and Strome, but it was enough to sink the Canucks. Brandon Tanev was fired up for his NHL debut and finished with five hits.
L 2-1 vs CAR - The Canucks again play a relatively even game but come out on the wrong end of the goaltending matchup. Carter Hutton surrendered only one goal (Vancouver's first of the year, by Jake Virtanen - also his first of his career) on 32 shots while Greiss allowed four on as many shots, three of them to Elias Lindholm whose hat trick earned him first star honours.
L 2-1 vs STL - This game was not as close as the score indicates. Markstrom made 35 saves in the losing effort as he watched the team in front of him muster only 13 shots. Max Lapierre scored the lone goal against his former team.
L 2-1 vs BUF - An ugly fourth straight loss to open the year for the Canucks. A stellar 38 save performance from Markstrom was wasted as Vancouver scored only one goal on 25 shots, Derrick Pouliot's first as a Canuck.
L 3-1 @ LAK - Something needs to change in Canuckland as they are outshot 47-17 by the Kings. Max Lapierre's second of the season was their only goal. Markstrom made 44 saves but again goes home with the L.
L 3-1 @ ANA - Josh Anderson gets the early season callup and plugs into the third line while Virtanen moves up to play with Sedins and Burrows is scratched. Marcel Goc is placed on waivers for assignment to Utica. All the roster shuffles are for naught as again the Canucks lose. They are yet to score multiple goals in a game, six games into the season. The lone goal was Cole Cassels' first of his career.
W 4-1 vs OTT - At long last, after seven games the Canucks take home their first win of the season, in their first multi-goal game of the year. Markstrom makes 36 saves and is rewarded with a W. Nikita Filatov showed up to play with a goal (the game winner) and an assist, Hank and Danny both scored powerplay markers and Cole Cassels had two assists as that fourth line really shone.
L 5-3 vs EDM - Outshot 40-21 at home, the Canucks suffer yet another embarrassing defeat and may not make it out of October with multiple wins at this rate. Filatov did his part, scoring two more goals, but Markstrom ran out of magic and allowed five goals on 31 shots before being pulled for Thomas Greiss who finished the game saving nine of nine.
W 4-1 vs WSH - Brad Hunt, Dustin Jeffrey and Alex Burrows all draw into the lineup at the expense of Zbynek Michalek, Chris Higgins and Jake Virtanen. Vancouver earns its second win of the month, inspired by an early Josh Anderson fight with Tom Wilson but still mostly carried by goaltending as Thomas Greiss made fifty saves. Filatov had a goal and two assists and is looking like a reasonably good signing. Burr got his first of the year, assisted by the twins.
Record: 2-7-0, 4 pts, 7th in Pacific
Player Stats:
Goals - Filatov (4), Cassels, Russell, Lapierre (2)
Assists - Henrik (5), Filatov (4), Cassels, Martin (3)
Points - Filatov (8), Henrik (6), Cassels (5)
Plus/Minus - Filatov (+3), Cassels, Lapierre (+2)
PIM - C. Tanev (16), Lapierre (14), Anderson (10)
Shots - Pouliot (24), Filatov (19), Daniel (17)
Hits - B. Tanev (35), C. Tanev (27), Russell, Horvat (14)
Takeaways - Horvat, Martin, Bonino, Henrik (6)
Blocks - Russell (42), Martin (28), Hamhuis (24)
FO% - Horvat (56.6), Cassels (55.1), Henrik (54.7), Bonino (50.5)
Goalies:
Markstrom - 1-5-0, 2.40 GAA, .936 SvPct, 4.53 GSAA
Greiss - 1-2-0, 2.26 GAA, .946 SvPct, 3.96 GSAA
Injuries:
C Bo Horvat DTD (Face)
Summary:
To call October a disappointing start would be a gross understatement. This teams had hopes to exceed last year with a stronger blueline and make the playoffs. However one month in they find themselves in the absolute basement of the West. Derrick Pouliot hasn't seen much in the way of results offensively so far. Sedins are struggling. The second line of Higgins, Bonino and Williams that looked so strong last season has managed to go nine games without a single point between any of them. The only player to have more than 2 goals one month into the season is team scoring leader Nikita Filatov. Another bright spot has been the play of Cole Cassels, whose five even strength points are tied with Filatov for the team lead. There has been no answer found for the right side next to Hank and Danny, or for consistent team scoring in general though. Incredible goaltending from Markstrom and Greiss has kept them in games but they are regularly dominated and outshot. Something will need to turn around very soon or their playoff chances will be all but gone well before Christmas.
Prospect Watch:
RW Conor Garland (QMJHL) 10gp, 6-8-14, E
Garland's playmaking has improved, as well as his reads defensively.
LD Mikhail Sergachev (QMJHL) 10gp 1-8-9, -2
He has been effective at checking his opponents and nullifying their chances, is demonstrating better stamina to last long into games without slowing down and his puck control skills are growing.
G Alexandar Georgiev (RUS) 8gp, 3.37gaa, .888sv%, 6w
Georgiev has been more in control of rebounds this season and has carried himself very professionally.
LW Alexei Goloshumov (RUS) 8gp, 3-3-6, +1
He's looked stronger and more aggressive and his shots have more zip to them.
LW Kirill Kaprizov (RUS) 8gp, 4-8-12, +3
His agility and puckhandling have gotten even better this year.
G Thatcher Demko (NCAA) 4gp, 1.71gaa, .939sv%, 4w
Demko has been amazingly sound so far while showing marked improvement in his teamwork and puckhandling ability.
C Blake Lizotte (NCAA) 6gp, 1-0-1, -2
For a 5'7" pivot he has been hitting very well and his shot has looked more accurate this year.
RD Charlie McAvoy (NCAA) 6gp, 0-1-1, -1
McAvoy is showing improvement in his teamwork, puckhandling, agility and defensive reads.
RW Ty Ronning (WHL) 8gp, 3-2-5, +1
His first step is looking quicker.