It was only four games, but it felt much longer.
Brock Boeser got the monkey off his back, and he picked a great time to do it.
Following an uneventful preseason, Boeser entered Thursday’s game in Tampa Bay with zero goals and just three shots on net through the first three games of the regular season. Pressure was rising.
Midway through the third period, he got some relief.
Just 1:10 after Elias Pettersson tied the game, Boeser took advantage of an Alex Killorn giveaway to hammer home the winning goal.
BROCK BOESER GIVES THE CANUCKS THE LEAD!#Canucks pic.twitter.com/lKOuuHF63V
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) October 12, 2018
Judging by the reaction of the usually stoic sniper, he was squeezing his stick a little tight lately.
This is the hardest we'll ever see Boeser celly after a goal. Cherish it. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/pqQ5k2ywqQ
— Vanessa Jang (@vanessajang) October 12, 2018
“Maybe some of the media was coming down a little hard on me, but it’s been a long process since my injury last season,” Boeser told Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy following the game.
Not only did a back injury end Boeser’s rookie season, he was dealing with a nagging wrist injury. This season, he’s wrapping his wrist in tape.
The Canucks held on for a 4-1 win over the Lightning, aided by an outstanding night by goaltender Anders Nilsson, who stopped 33 of 34 shots.
Point per game Pettersson
We’re starting to get used to this.
Pettersson has earned at least a point in every game of his young NHL career. If he earns a point Saturday in Florida, he’ll tie a franchise record.
#Canucks Elias Pettersson is on a 4-game point streak to start the season. He's 1 game shy of matching the franchise record set by Don Tannahill in 1972-73
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 12, 2018
Shotgun Jake
The Canucks added two empty netters in the win, including one scored by Jake Virtanen.
John Shorthouse called out “shotgun” as the puck went into the net, signalling Canucks nation to pound one back.
Cue Shotgun Jake:
Shotgun Jake into the empty net baby!!! #canucks #shotgunjake #thumbgun 👍 pic.twitter.com/dp4qG8ojmo
— dweeb. (@eDWEEB) October 12, 2018
Weeeeehoooooo@JasonBroughTSN @HalfordTSN @botchford #ShotgunJake pic.twitter.com/wKqyMDuvRJ
— Chris Faber 🤙🔥🤙 (@ChrisFaber39) October 12, 2018
18more @Jake_Virtanen #shotgunjake pic.twitter.com/AI0FP8L840
— Tanbir From Surrey (@TRana87) October 12, 2018
Got the boys together at a wedding for a little #ShotgunJake 2/20. Oh yeah. pic.twitter.com/jxoz23HOLy
— Paul S (@paulisrad) October 12, 2018