{"id":439056,"date":"2024-03-24T09:30:54","date_gmt":"2024-03-24T13:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=439056"},"modified":"2024-03-23T20:20:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-24T00:20:45","slug":"five-keys-canucks-final-stretch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/03\/24\/five-keys-canucks-final-stretch\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Keys for the Final Stretch for the Vancouver Canucks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Vancouver Canucks have entered the final stretch of the season. Call it the home stretch, the gun lap, or whatever. However, for the first time in what feels like forever, the Canucks will end the regular season in the Stanley Cup Playoffs instead of on the golf course. Vancouver\u00a0<\/span>could clinch a playoff spot as early as Monday.\u00a0<\/span><\/a>But the job is not done yet as there are still just over ten games to go in the regular season. At the time of this writing, the Canucks have 96 points and lead the Western Conference and are tied for second in the NHL with the New York Rangers<\/a>. Of course, they want to finish as high as possible. Here are five keys for the Canucks final stretch of the season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Canucks Final Stretch Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n

#1: Keep the Foot on the Gas at All Times<\/span><\/h3>\n

This takeaway is true not just for individual games but for the entire Canucks final stretch. But we will focus on the individual games first.<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Canucks were very good at holding leads for most of the season<\/span><\/a>. But things went off the rails in some games in February and March. There was that chaotic 10-7 loss to the Minnesota Wild<\/a> when they gave up seven goals in the third period, the 4-3 overtime home loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> and the 4-3 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche<\/a> last week. In the games against Pittsburgh and Colorado, the Canucks blew a 3-0 lead. (I was at the game against Colorado and let me tell you, watching them blow a 3-0 lead live was a very jarring experience.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Vancouver also scored early against the Washington Capitals<\/a> last Saturday and never found their footing since and lost 2-1 in regulation. However, it seems head coach Rick Tocchet<\/a> emphasized playing a 60-minute game and the Canucks took care of business against the Buffalo Sabres<\/a> and Montreal Canadiens<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, they need to make sure the foot is on the gas for the whole game, not just bits and pieces. Otherwise, the car will skid into a ditch. It’s a tough ask but that is one area to build on in preparation for the playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

With just over ten games left, there is only one back-to-back so tiredness, for the most part, can’t be an excuse, especially with some more practice time.<\/span><\/p>\n

#2: Casey DeSmith<\/a> Continues to be Reliable<\/span><\/h3>\n

Thatcher Demko<\/a> has been having a stellar season but has been out since March 9 with a lower-body injury. But Casey DeSmith<\/a> has stepped up in his absence.<\/span><\/p>\n

DeSmith is 3-1-1 in his next five since Demko got hurt. He has been very reliable and has made the saves the Canucks needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Casey DeSmith makes his best save of the game! #Canucks<\/a> | #GoHabsGo<\/a>
\ud83c\udfa5: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com\/4NEFpTjDLC<\/a><\/p>\n

— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) March 22, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n