NUCKS DONT EVEN GET A LOSER POINT - JUST LOSE

Nucks finish this mini-trip with 1 point out of 4. The road ethos is mini-broken.

This season Pete has achieved the lowest shot rate of his career. And JT is close to tying his worst shot rate since being in T-Bay. This season's Nucks aren't last season's. Dammit.

If your top players aren't generating chances, what chance does the team have?

Not much.

For the 2nd consecutive game, Blueger was the Nucks best center on the Nucks. Scores the lone Nucks goal in the 1st period. A period that the Nucks dominated, even on the shot counter.

1-0 Nucks after 1.

Nucks kept the game the close through the 2nd. Kept the Stolen Knights to only 9 shots. While keeping themselves to only 2 shots. That's some tough Taco hockey.

Unfortunately, 1 of the 9 Nightly shots got past Lanky. Lanky felt that it was an unlucky DeBrusk tip.

1-1 tie after 2. That's not so bad.

In the 3rd, Nucks attempt a comeback. Generate some chances. Get a useless PP, without any shots on goal. However, did get a couple on their PK. Small victories.

Inevitably, the team that has outscored opponents by double on their home ice, scores after a power forward move in front of Lanky. Remember when JT was a power forward who scored? Me neither.

With the lead, unlike last night's Nucks, Knighties lock down the game.

And worse, just when the Nucks were in the final few minutes and pressing, the minutes dribbled down to less than 3 and Taco wants to pull Lanky. But JT does not. But then Lanky gets pulled while the puck is still in the Nucks zone. It was keystone kops style 6-on-5. Pete gets to center ice, but the Nights rush back in the zone and we get to witness the slow agony of an easy backhand EN goal.

Lotta love for the Nucks comeback it over on Bluesky.

Quite possibly the most incompetent empty net attack plan I've ever seen. #Canucks need to improve their game before they find themselves looking up at the playoff teams.

— Dustin Meyer (@dustinmeyer.bsky.social) December 19, 2024 at 9:25 PM

At least we can take comfort in knowing that some consistency has arrived.

OBSERVATIONS

From last night's observation, still applies: Sometimes, you need your best players to be your best players. Last season, Nucks best players were in the top 10 in scoring. This season, well... at least they drive 5-v-5 play. Or do they? Pete has a single 5-on-5 goal so far. JT has 3. Heinen has more 5-v-5 goals than Pete and JT combined.

Pete had one shot on goal. JT had none. Both the Nucks top lines were in the negative shot chance range. And minus in the +/- column. That's not top line performance.

We know the Nucks have some deficiencies on defense. Now we know they have some deficiencies on offense as well. Defense/Offense balance is important - Canucks are well on their way to achieving it.

Taco praised the effort. Guess he wasn't watching when the top 2 lines were on the ice not generating.

Gnarly was buzzing, but ran out of gas in the 3rd. Hasn't had a goal in 10 games. JT hasn't scored in the 6 games since his 'personal' break.

Pete has scored one goal in a dozen games.

Again, both Pete and JT, who are being paid to drive the offense - to make their line mates better - haven't.

Anything else? Yes! More questions!

Video Replay

Shortie and Dave making book on something other than the Nucks.

GAME STATS

PLAYER POINTS

SHOTS

PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK

Our best center gets the media attention.

Taco Talks but doesn't give up much.

Nucks play the best team in the division on the 2nd of a B-2-B and put in a good effort. At least they played strong team defense, until they couldn't.

The worst loss of this trip was last game. This is only the 2nd worst loss of the trip. So, that's good.

Nucks are back in the ROG on Saturday. No worries.