VANCOUVER – if this isn’t rock bottom for the Vancouver Canucks it will do until rock bottom gets here.
The team determined to bounce back from last year’s 90-point, non-playoff season is now three games under .500 for the first time as March 2023 and on pace for 71 points, which would be the Canucks’ worst National Hockey League season since 1999.
On Sunday, rested and playing a tired team that happened to have the poorest record in hockey, the Canucks surrendered five straight goals to the Calgary Flames and lost 5-2 at Rogers arena.
Injuries alone don’t explain how a team that planned to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring is now five points behind in the wildcard race at 9-12-2 – with just three wins at home this season.
The race the Canucks are falling into is for last place in the NHL and the best lottery odds in the Gavin McKenna draft sweepstakes.
There are, of course, 59 games to go, so the Canucks have plenty of time to rescue themselves. Or they could get worse.
The Flames, whose three-game winning streak mirrors the Canucks’ three-game dive, are now only one point behind Vancouver and passed the Nashville Predators on winning percentage on Sunday. The Tennesseans are last in the NHL with 16 points,four behind the Canucks with two games in-hand.
So, yes, the Canucks are closer to last place overall than the final playoff spot.
“It stings,” winger Kiefer Sherwood said. “All of us are competitors and we expect better results for all the work that we’re putting in. We’ve got to continue to grind through it . . . get back to work tomorrow. It’s a big road trip for us. I still think we’ve got a lot of good pieces in this room. We’ve just got to put it together on a consistent basis.”
The Canucks are on their second three-game losing streak of the season. They haven’t won consecutive games in five weeks.
After an encouraging performance Thursday, when they outplayed the Dallas Stars for stretches but lost on a pair of third-period goals, the Canucks were excellent in the first period against calgary and then fairly awful after that.
Sunday’s loss feels like a low point.
Canucks Struggle Despite System Consistency, Face Tough Road trip
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The Vancouver Canucks are facing a challenging stretch as they approach U.S.Thanksgiving, currently sitting three games below.500. While injuries at centre ice are a significant factor, the team’s defensive struggles extend beyond personnel losses, prompting frustration and a need for enhancement.The Canucks will attempt to turn things around during a difficult road trip against the California teams and the league-leading Colorado Avalanche.
Defensive Issues and Center Ice Depth
Assistant coach Mike Foote highlighted the impact of injuries to key centers on the team’s defensive performance. He emphasized that the team’s defensive zone system hasn’t changed in the last three years, but the loss of multiple players up the middle has logically led to a decline in defensive metrics.
“I meen, our defensive-zone (system) hasn’t changed the last three years,” Foote stated. “We’re working on it. When you lose that many guys up the middle at once, it’s just logic that . . . numbers are going to go down. I mean,I don’t know how they can’t. Right, that’s logic to everybody? It’s logic to me.”
However, the team acknowledges that center ice depth isn’t a complete explanation for their current position. Poor special teams play and inconsistent goaltending are also contributing factors. The Canucks are currently last in the NHL in penalty killing.
Recent Performance and player Outlook
Despite a promising 1-1-1 road trip against Carolina, tampa Bay, and Florida, the Canucks have struggled to capitalize on home ice. Forward Brock Boeser expressed the team’s frustration.
“The last road trip, we were 1-1-1 (against Carolina, Tampa and Florida) and I thought that was pretty good. Obviously coming home,this was a big opportunity for us,and we haven’t won a game. So yeah, it feels very hard and frustrating right now. Obviously, there’s guys injured, but no excuses. Next man up. And you know, guys have to contribute, especially myself,” Boeser said.
Upcoming Schedule and Injury Updates
The Canucks will practice Monday before embarking on a demanding road trip that includes games against the anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and the Colorado Avalanche, currently leading the NHL standings.
Forward Teddy blueger may join the team on the trip, but a return for other injured players isn’t expected in the immediate future. The Canucks’ official website provides ongoing updates on player injuries: https://www.nhl.com/canucks/injury-report
Looking Ahead
The Canucks face a significant challenge in navigating their upcoming schedule without key players. Addressing their penalty killing woes and finding consistent scoring depth will be crucial for improving their standing in the Western Conference. The team’s ability to overcome adversity and embrace the “next man up” mentality will be tested as they strive to regain their form and compete for a playoff spot.
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