It was a fun night to be a Canucks fan at Rogers Arena on Monday night. In their last game before the Christmas break, the Canucks scored early and often, chasing Mike Smith from the game. It was an ugly one for the Coyotes, who lost 7-1.
I got the headline for the Van City Buzz #Sixpack .. " Coyote Ugly" #vcbcanucks
— Mike Stefanuk (@Mike_Stefanuk) December 23, 2014
I like my headline better.
Late to the party but my boy Higgins shaved his beard…. #canucks
— Melaina (@a3minuterecord) December 23, 2014
And he’s also our new SixPack poster boy. Tonight had the potential to be a trap game for the Canucks, who certainly have had their fair share of problems with the Coyotes over the years. Their most recent game against the Yotes was an embarrassing 5-0 loss at home on November 14.
Guess I picked the good #Canucks vs #coyotes game to go to. #vcbcanucks — Mike Reynolds (@salmonpack) December 23, 2014
Yes you did Mike. Now, lets celebrate with a SixPack:
1. Burrows on the Power Play
The Canucks’ power play was ranked 18th coming into tonight’s contest. It didn’t score once during the Canucks 5-game losing streak. But it has come alive recently, and it has a lot to do with Alex Burrows getting time with the first unit.
Burrows is the net-front man on PP1 and he has been a revelation. His ability to keep plays alive by digging for loose pucks was exactly what the Canucks needed.
That's 3 goals in 2 games scored because of Burrows net front play
— Jason Botchford (@botchford) December 23, 2014
With two goals tonight, Burrows has 15 points in 28 games and is proving he can contribute without playing on the top line. He makes players around him better.
He’s also proving that he can contribute on the power play, something he has never done consistently in his NHL career.
Still, some people aren’t impressed. Presumably, they’re holding his $5 million contract and his lousy injury-plagued 2013-14 season against him.
Jim Benning shops Burrows: "Can I interest you in a $5 mil guy who kills penalties? All you need then is 2 young Sedins and he's all set!"
— Disco Stu (@TheDiscoStu) December 20, 2014
Burrows isn’t the player he used to be and he might even be a little overpaid at $5 million. But he isn’t grossly overpaid. He is a player that can contribute on any line, the penalty kill and the power play. Burrows was no doubt inspired by some bulletin board material provided by regular reader, Stu.
@RobTheHockeyGuy what can I say? I inspire people.
— Disco Stu (@TheDiscoStu) December 23, 2014
But Stu was not finished…
#vcbcanucks Burrows caught a break tonight. Dubnyk would've held him pointless again.
— Disco Stu (@TheDiscoStu) December 23, 2014
Burrows scored his second goal of the game, this time on Dubnyk, shortly after.
2. Game management
That was some interesting interpretation by the refs to not award Shawn Matthias a penalty shot in the third period tonight. One can only assume the refs decided that the Canucks had scored enough goals. Or something.
Personally, I was really interested to see if the wave, which had been circling during the play for longer than usual, would have continued going around the stadium during the penalty shot. Could have made Canucks history!
THE WAVE STARTED, SUCK ON THAT WAVE HATERS
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) December 23, 2014
If there’s a time to do the wave during the play, it’s when you’re winning a laugher against the Coyotes in the third period.
3. Ryan Miller SV% update
Ryan Miller has not had a good season so far. He entered tonight’s game with a SV% of .901. But tonight? He was pretty good.
Miller made 38 saves on 39 shots, including some very good saves in the first period when the game was in doubt.
@RobTheHockeyGuy Well it helps if you're not in the corner when you're trying to make a stop
— Alex Wilke (@1Wilke) December 23, 2014
Sure, he slid too far on the Coyotes only goal, but I think he deserves some kudos tonight.
Mike Smith, on the other hand, does not deserve any credit. He let in 4 goals on 11 shots, including some softies. It’s truly remarkable that a guy can go from being on Team Canada in Sochi 10 months ago, to being perhaps the worst starting goalie in the NHL.
Thank god Price and Luongo did not get hurt in Sochi
— phil verret (@BasketballPhil) December 23, 2014
So what about Ryan Miller’s save percentage after tonight’s game? It’s .906. That’s still not very good, but hey, it’s better than it was yesterday.
4. Sestito’s revenge
Tommy was terrific tonight. The Canucks enforcer has had trouble getting into the lineup under head coach Willie Desjardins and has essentially told the Canucks ‘play me or trade me’.
With so many good wingers ahead of him in the depth chart, Sestito isn’t likely to get much playing time unless the Canucks get into injury trouble. He might not like that, but that’s reality.
But tonight? He was everything you want from an enforcer.
EVERY forward except Sestito has a point tonight. #Canucks
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) December 23, 2014
Way to rain on his parade, Ryan.
Sestito had three hits, a fight and was responsible for the Canucks getting two power plays in just under 10 minutes of ice time. Kyle Chipchura took an instigator penalty on him in retaliation to a big, but clean, hit.
Sestito just reverse Hanzal'd the Coyotes.
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) December 23, 2014
Sestito’s finest hour came in the final minute of play when he got some retribution for Martin Hanzal, who was swinging the lumber once again in this game.
The Human Hatchet pic.twitter.com/JBfuhttX3z
— Jason Botchford (@botchford) December 23, 2014
The man who injured three players in one game last season was at it again tonight. He chopped Chris Higgins on the hands and crosschecked Derek Dorsett in the ribs. It seems he was running his mouth too.
Sestito: Hanzal was telling everyone I should watch out next game. How am I going to sleep over Xmas now?
— Jason Botchford (@botchford) December 23, 2014
Sestito is still facing an uphill climb to get more playing time, but nights like tonight will help his case.
5. Honey Badger Update
Jannik Hansen gave everyone a good scare on Saturday when he fainted on the bench. So far, it looks like it was nothing more than that, which is obviously great news.
He was held out of tonight’s game, despite the fact that he feels fine, as a precaution.
#canucks announce that Jannik Hansen will not play tonight. Needs additional tests. All tests to this point have been normal
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) December 23, 2014
Better safe than sorry.
As for Hansen, he hasn’t lost his sense of humour.
"I had to ask twice when the nurses told me it was Tanev who scored the OT winner" – Hansen #Canucks pic.twitter.com/bj5EfPG9Uw
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 22, 2014
6. Christmas Presents
After a nice run of weak teams of late, the Canucks are going to get a stiff test after Christmas. They get to play all three of the California teams, the Detroit Red Wings (5th in the East) and the New York Islanders (2nd in the East). Fun.
But hey, it’s Christmas! Lets not end this on a negative note.
Our boy @CanuckClay is killing it on the big-screen during the 2nd intermission. Crowd loving it. #vcbCanucks
— Jay Adams (@SFOJay) December 23, 2014
Our guy, the charismatic Clay Imoo, was all the rage at Rogers Arena during the intermission tonight. Seriously, the man can’t walk around the concourse at Canucks games without getting harassed by autograph hounds.
@CanuckClay OUTSTANDING #Canucks Christmas Carols video Clay! Happy Holidays!
— AL MURDOCH (@ALMURDOCH) December 23, 2014
@CanuckClay omgosh I just introduced it and watched it at the game!!! So funny…. Everyone was laughing, great job!
— Hannah Bernard (@hannahbernardd) December 23, 2014
@JayVCB @CanuckClay start the chant Jay "Imoo!" clapclapclap "Imoo!" clapclapclap
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) December 23, 2014
Apparently it’s hard to start chants at Rogers Arena.
His latest video, featuring the much more talented Marie Hui, is getting a whole lot of play this week.
Getting the holiday spirit with #Canucks Christmas carols http://t.co/9JcGzXIX5u pic.twitter.com/pMXgfIcfXM
— Daily Hive Vancouver (@VancityBuzz) December 22, 2014
Merry Christmas everyone!