The Vancouver Canucks have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. That small glimmer of playoff hope came to an end after the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Arizona Coyotes 3-2 in a shootout on Friday night.
Colorado’s win has them sitting comfortably in the second western conference wild card position with a 36-29-13 record, and 85 points.
when Avs and Yotes went to OT, #Canucks officially faded to black and were dropped from this graphic https://t.co/tkMrMKgfGM
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) March 30, 2019
The Canucks can no longer mathematically catch Colorado or any other team that might overtake the Avalanche for that second wild card spot.
Vancouver has collected 76 points from a 33-35-10 record. If Vancouver wins their final four games of the season, the most points they can finish with is, 84 points.
The Vancouver #Canucks have been mathematically eliminated from the 2019 NHL playoffs. This is the 4th consecutive season the #Canucks get eliminated pic.twitter.com/jVAzGD2FX7
— Nucks News (@nucksnews) March 30, 2019
#Canucks officially out of playoff contention. Can’t reach Colorado. https://t.co/8NFuiFgrvG
— Angry Canuck (@canuckjc) March 30, 2019
Vancouver showed early promise at the beginning of the season by jumping out to a quick 10-6-1 record. The Canucks were able to compete, and play at a competitive level for much of the season. Vancouver played at above five-hundred, (20-19-4) as late as the Super Bowl.
A large part of the Canucks surprise emergence was due to rookie sensation, Elias Pettersson. The odds on favourite to take home The Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year, he dazzled the NHL with his creativity, skill, and wicked wrist shot.
In 67 games, Pettersson has compiled 27 goals, 38 assists, and 65 points. The 20-year-old superstar has brought buzz, and excitement back to Rogers Arena.
Even though the #Canucks were just eliminated from playoff contention who thought they’d be here after game 78 in September? Step in the right direction #HockeyTwitter
— Michael Beck (@MichaelBeck56) March 30, 2019
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom also showed his value as he took a massive step elevating his game. Markstrom, and his 27-22-9 record, kept the Canucks in a lot of games they had no business being in. He’s shown that he is capable of being a no.1 NHL goalie. Markstrom should be back next season, as Thatcher Demko gains more NHL experience.
Vancouver hasn’t made the playoffs since 2015, but it’s not as bleak as it has been in previous seasons. Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat, and Quinn Hughes are the next wave of talent, the Canucks can build around, and end a four-year playoff drought. The sting of missing the playoffs should certainly help a young Canucks team grow, and develop.
See also
Follow Channels and Categories