Golden Knights 3, Canucks 1: Another blown lead, offence still fizzling

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The Province

For the second night in a row, the Canucks couldn't hold a lead and struggled to counter punch

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Published Dec 19, 2024 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 3 minute read

The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate center William Karlsson's goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Las Vegas. Photo by David Becker /AP

In a bizarre season of up and downs, one thing the Vancouver Canucks have legitimately done well is defend.

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Just look at how well things have gone defensively in four of their last five games, including Thursday’s 3-1 wloss to the Golden Knights.

Once again, the Canucks did lots of good things in their own end against Vegas.

But for the second night in a row, they couldn’t hold a lead and struggled to counter punch.

It’s the counter punching that’s become a concern.

In the month of December, the Canucks have struggled to generate much of anything at five on five. They’ve struggled to do so without J.T. Miller in the lineup and with Miller in the lineup.

This can’t be about Filip Hronek, can it? The Canucks have been without their No. 2 defenceman for three weeks now, so that tracks to a degree; they’ve been sound defensively but they’ve struggled to generate shots. He’s very good at getting the puck up the ice — but this really suggests bigger problems. Hronek usually plays with Quinn Hughes and Hughes hasn’t exactly struggled to get the puck up the ice, even if the burden on him is heavier.

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It’s about the rest of the defence corps, who are defensively competent but offensively mediocre.

There’s a reason why the Canucks are looking around for a higher-end defenceman who could help with the puck-moving question.

Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights can’t stop Teddy Blueger of the Vancouver Canucks from socring in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Ethan Miller /Getty ImagesA great start

Slowly but surely, it seem the Canucks are getting their starts sorted out.

Teddy Blueger’s tally in the first was the 16th time in the season that they’ve scored first. Teams that score first have a pretty good winning percentage.

Roaring favourites

But look at how the Golden Knights surged in the second period onward.

They’re 12-3 at home now, the best home record in the NHL.

They’ve scored nearly four goals per game at home. That’s going to get you a lot of wins.

Alexander Holtz #26 of the Vegas Golden Knights tries to get a rebound against Vincent Desharnais #73 and Kevin Lankinen #32 of the Vancouver Canucks in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Ethan Miller /Getty ImagesZeros

It’s hard to miss that Elias Pettersson, who looked like he’d sorted himself out a few weeks ago, is back in a rut.

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How many long shots add up to a good scoring chance?

Zero.

Just like his shots on goal against Vegas.

Zero. (He almost hit the net on the third-period power play, a miss his coach, who is currently speaking very tersely, still made note of post-game.)

Just like his scoring record from the past five games.

Zero goals.

Zero assists.

You’re nothing without your best players.

More zeros

J.T. Miller had no shots on goal as well.

He hasn’t scored in three games and has just three assists in the five games since he returned to the lineup.

He did have 10 games away from the team, but did you know his last five on five goal was Oct. 26? (He has two empty netters since.)

This team is going nowhere if it can’t score.

J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck ahead of Brett Howden #21 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Ethan Miller /Getty ImagesEven more zeroes

How about this guy, who has played with each of the above zeroes: Brock Boeser?

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No goals, no assists in his last four games. Just six points in December. Only one shot on goal.

Again. Need more.

Floater

Kevin Lankinen has been so good this season.

But he’s had some flaws. Long shots is one.

That goal scored by Alex Pietrangelo? That didn’t help. The Canucks didn’t lose because of it…but it didn’t help.

Ideally, of course, the Canucks would score their way past that.

Kevin Lankinen #32 of the Vancouver Canucks defends the net against Tomas Hertl #48 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Ethan Miller /Getty ImagesThat record

Canucks have now won 16 of their 32 games this season.

That ain’t gonna do it.

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