Hughes has heartwarming words for Boeser after clutch Vancouver Canucks performance
With the Vancouver Canucks needing a win, it was Brock Boeser who pulled through with a massive performance.
After the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues won earlier in the night, the Canucks entered their contest against the NHL-leading Winnipeg Jets needing a win to stick in a playoff spot.
They managed to pull out an improbable 6-2 blowout victory thanks largely to Boeser, who recorded a season-high of three points, including two goals.
Boeser spoke emotionally just hours before puck drop about the pressure he’s feeling this season as he approaches July 1, when he’ll become a free agent. He had just two goals in his previous 20 games but matched that total in just 60 minutes against the best goalie in the world. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates.
“Happy to see him get on the board there,” said captain Quinn Hughes. “He’s obviously a great player and we’re going to need him to be at his best the next 15 games here but that’s what you want to see, him step up tonight.”
“Brock’s one of my closest friends, and he’s been someone I can lean on and just been a really quality friend over the course of the six years I’ve been here…hopefully, he can kind of get on a roll here.”
Boeser reached 20 goals on the season last night, making it the sixth campaign in which he’s done so. He has also recorded at least 20 assists in each of those seasons as he continues to be one of the more offensively productive wingers in the NHL.
“It was nice to see those goals go in for him,” said head coach Rick Tocchet. “He had a lot of energy tonight. I thought that he was really dialled in. Good for him, I’m proud of him.”
“It felt really good,” said Boeser. “I felt I haven’t really been much of a big help to our team lately. I want to be a difference maker in these games and help us win games and continue to push for that playoff spot.”
Boeser was reunited with star Elias Pettersson and winger Nils Höglander. The trio worked wonderfully together and combined for three goals and six total points.
“When a guy like him gets hot, it’s a good thing for us. He can heat up,” continued Tocchet on Boeser.
The Canucks don’t have much time to celebrate this big win. They leave for a crucial six-game road trip tomorrow, which starts with an incredibly important game against the Blues on Thursday.
“I think it’s just a building block,” continued Boeser about his performance. “Definitely a good game to keep going off and build off… overall, it’s a great game for us, but now we have a huge road trip.”