It certainly wasn’t the start that new Vancouver Canucks coach John Tortorella and his club were looking for. In his first game behind the bench the Canucks lost in familiar fashion, 4-1 to San Jose, stretching their losing streak against the Sharks to 10 games.
Though it was evident from the start that this was a different Canucks team, they played with much more physicality and aggression than we are used to, it was also plain to see that too often the players found themselves out of position or struggling to keep pace. “We have a lot to learn with tenacity and consistently being on pucks” said Tortorella after the game, “Some good things and some teachable things. It’s consistency.”
One place where their game has already dramatically improved is shot blocking. Tortorella stressed the importance of commitment to blocking shots during every preseason interview, and the proof was in the pudding last night as the Canucks put up 22 blocks including one off the face of Alex Burrows which likely saved a goal. They also out hit a very physical Sharks team. Additionally, the penalty kill was on fire, not allowing a goal on all eight Sharks power plays, including a full two minute 5 on 3.
Another bright spot was the early play of goaltender Roberto Luongo. The 34-year-old Canadian netminder is infamous for his slow starts, though he looked good in his final two preseason games stopping 61 of 62 shots. He picked up where he left off tonight in the first period, making 16 saves and generally keeping the Canucks in the game.
However the commitment by the defense in front of him to blocking shots and collapsing to the front of the net worked against him, as he was helplessly screened on the game winning goal by Justin Braun early in the second period. He also had to contend with multiple odd man opportunities against, as Canucks defensemen were left flat footed at the blueline, not sure of their position.
While there are some new problems, the same ghosts that haunted them last year returned; namely, scoring. While defenseman Jason Garrison had a beautiful power play goal and the Sedin twins had some good chances off the rush, overall the forwards lacked bite with only two scoring chances in the third period while trying to make a comeback. This points to the problem the team has been struggling with since the 2011 playoffs: the Sedins can’t be the sole offensive weapon, and the team has to do something to make the second line more potent.
Ryan Kesler is, by all accounts, a fine center but too often is on a helicopter line. That is to say, a line with no wings. Tortorella tried putting Burrows down with Kesler by the third period (and moving David Booth up with the Twins), but it made little difference. The team produced 22 shots during the game, but none off the stick of Burrows, none from Daniel Sedin, and only two from Booth and three from Kesler.
The bottom six forwards were essentially a non-factor tonight as well. The only player from the bottom six to register a shot on goal was newly acquired Zac Dalpe, who had two in 3:19 of ice time. The fourth line consisting of him, Tom Sestitio and Dale Weise played less than 12 minutes combined.
So, what does this portend for the rest of the Canucks 2013-14 season? For one thing, it is just the first game of 82 in the season, and we shouldn’t jump the gun that the Tortorella experiment has failed entirely. It will take some time for coach and players to adjust to each other, and a seven game road trip later this month should provide ample opportunity for bonding and communication.
Secondly, early returns of Tortorella’s systems being successful were positive. Very rarely did the Canucks both out block and out hit their opponents last season like they did against the Sharks. If only the offense can get humming, either from players stepping up or through trade, the team should round into form and contend for the division title.
Lastly, for all the millions of pixels of digital ink that have been spilled on Luongo this offseason, the goaltender was very sharp early and none of this four goals against could be considered softies. He finished the night with 31 saves, including a stop on a shorthanded breakaway by Joe Pavelski, and generally looked calm and in position. Luongo’s been taking a “day at a time” mantra through this media firestorm in Vancouver, an approach that should work very well for such a cerebral goaltender.
He might just be able to buy Tortorella the time he needs to fully adjust the players to his liking too.
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