In their first game since being eliminated from playoff contention, the Vancouver Canucks won 4–1 against the Colorado Avalanche. Kiefer Sherwood led the way in offense with a goal and an assist, while Jake DeBrusk, Dakota Joshua, and Nils Höglander also hit the scoresheet. Kevin Lankinen started in goal, stopping 31 of 32 shots against and picking up his first career win against the Avalanche.
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Despite no longer being in the playoff race, the Canucks didn’t simply roll over in tonight’s game. They controlled play consistently to start the first and second periods. Maintaining their presence in Colorado’s zone resulted in Vancouver being rewarded two power plays, though they weren’t able to convert on either. The Avalanche combatted them with a push in the back-half of the first period, but Vancouver stuck to their checks and broke up Colorado’s plays to keep the game at 0–0 going into the first intermission.
"I think it was really good effort. Lot of good stuff for some individuals. I thought the team played really well. I liked our game," Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet said of Vancouver's effort tonight.
Sherwood has been an integral part in all of Vancouver’s games against the Avalanche this season. Most notably, he scored his first career hat trick against Colorado on December 16 in a 3–1 win for the Canucks. Aside from scoring the 2–0 goal tonight, he also made a slick move to lose Samuel Girard and toss the puck to DeBrusk, who put it home for the game’s opening tally. Throughout his career, including tonight, Sherwood has put up six goals and two assists in nine games played against the Avalanche. In tonight’s effort, he also had two shots and one block in 16:07 of playing time.
Another important part in this game was the display of confidence shown by some of Vancouver’s younger players. Playing with his usual linemates Sherwood and Joshua, Aatu Räty showed a few bursts of speed to get in on the forecheck, one of which could have converted into a goal had Sherwood not scored first. He also pulled off a nifty move close to Blackwood that demonstrated his comfort with NHL play. Tonight, he won 64.29% of his faceoffs.
Räty was not the only younger player to show some bold ...
