The NHL decided to postpone the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday, canceling two days’ worth of games. The league accepted the advice of the Hockey Diversity Alliance to act in response to the latest police shooting. This happened only after the players themselves reminded the league that is was the right thing to do, as usual. They got it right eventually, at least, even if it did take a kick. Words are great and all, but actions matter. As of Thursday evening, plans were underway to resume play on Saturday. And when it does, how will that affect the Vegas Golden Knights vs Vancouver Canucks series?
Golden Knights vs Vancouver Canucks – Wait For It…
A quick rundown on the series so far: Golden Knights Smash. Vancouver Canucks Bash. Okay, you’re all caught up. Well, there may be one or two more tiny details we left out.
Rested Bodies, Reset Minds
Tyler Toffoli made his return a noticeable one, scoring seconds into his first shift back and picking up three points. This after returning early from an unnamed injury (the walking boot maybe a hint) suffered in Game 1 of the play-in round. Three weeks is not a normal turnaround, but these are the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Still, he only played 14:35 in a game the Canucks desperately needed to win. Between injury recovery and a lack of practice time, the break will only help.
Another forward running quieter than expected is Brock Boeser. He played a mere 14:07 in the second game, which could be a result of protecting a lead. But he was only on the ice for 15:24 in Game 1 when the Canucks were chasing the score. Add these to a 12:31 in Game 6 against St. Louis and you have to wonder if his wrist is acting up again. Putting it on ice before he is won’t hurt.
Then there’s Quinn Hughes. “Huggy Bear” has been almost shockingly normal in his two games against Vegas. He had the fourth-highest ice time among Canucks defencemen in the series’ second game. This could simply be coach Travis Green keeping him away from the more physical Golden Knights. Not a bad idea against a team that has the speed to keep up with him and knows just how dangerous he can be. And after seeing what Elias Pettersson did after a rough Game 1, Hughes can use the downtime for notes.
One of the few disappointing Canucks in Game 2 of the Golden Knights vs Vancouver series was Brandon Sutter. After putting in yeoman’s work in the second season, he looked tired late in the game and could probably use the rest.
A Screeching Halt
On the flip side, Vancouver clearly found a way to discombobulate Vegas after a notably one-sided Game 1. By the third period, the Golden Knights were reduced to taking “message sending” penalties on J.T. Miller and Jake Virtanen. And going well offside with fans after the game in the case of Jonathan Marchessault…
This was quite the turnaround after a total dismantling of the Canucks defence and neutralizing their offence the game before. While much was made of the Golden Knights trash-talking, that’s only notable because without fans we can hear it. The real shock is hearing so little from them in Game 2. In fact, Vegas is so well known for it you can hire Ryan Reaves to bring his real A-game for $100.
In a far less physical game, Vegas was outrun – which does not happen often. Shea Theodore simply doesn’t turn circles in front of his own net. They’re the team that outhits, outsprints, and outscores their opponents. Also notable is that the Vegas Golden Knights vs Vancouver Canucks history is extremely lopsided. This was the Canucks first-ever regulation win against them, breaking a 10-game streak.
Two extra days to decide whether they need new tactics against a revitalized Canucks team can be useful. One question they may consider is changing out goaltenders, but even that is fraught with issues right now.
Taking a Stab
Robin Lehner allowed four goals on a mere 26 shots. That’s obviously not great, and he also wasn’t particularly good against the Chicago Blackhawks in the previous round. Fortunately, he was brought in to shore up the Golden Knights goaltending, not replace the starter. They can always go back to Stanley Cup-winner Marc-Andre Fleury, right?
Yeah, about that…
Fleury’s agent took down the post about 24 hours after he put it up, but obviously had his client’s blessing. The goaltender has two more years on a $7 million per contract, so is unlikely to be going anywhere. Coach Pete DeBoer was hired this year expressly to win a Cup. If DeBoer switches to Fleury now, it’s very easy to read that as the coach yielding power to a player. He’s got two dozen more to keep the respect of, like any other coach. If he makes the switch, how easily will it be to get other players to change their roles if he needs them to? And if he doesn’t, is he going to be seen as too stubborn to do what’s best for the team?
The only way out for him is to win. If Game 3 is a loss, whether he changes goalies or not, the backlash could be considerable in the short-term. Then again, if the series is lost to an underdog like the Canucks, he’s not making it to next season anyway. It’s going to be the most-important least-important decision of his so-far brief Vegas tenure.
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