DON'T SCORE - DON'T WIN. HOCKEY IS SIMPLE.

Simple. Unless it's the BC Faery ravaged Nucks playing the 2nd of a B-2-B in the ROG. Then it's a complicated, difficult game. And hard to watch in the final period.

But that's not the only bad news.

For example. When was the last time this season the Nucks won the 2nd of a B-2-B?

Take your time. It's a trick question.

They haven't won any. But have lost 5. So far.

1ST

Nucks don't give up the 1st goal in the 1st. Instead, it was dueling goaltenders. Uncertain who was playing banjo.

JT looked good(ish) in the 1st when setup by Desh with a stretch pass to send JT in on Saros.

0-0 after 1.

2ND

Early in the 2nd Blueger scores!

Turns out Bluger scored because Josh pushed the Pred D into Saros and that is deemed goalie interference. But interfering with Saros is the only way the pop gun Nucking offense can score! Not fair.

Lots of back and forth in the period. Nucks pressing, wasting shots on Saros and Preds putting shots that are stopped by Lanky.

All but one. That one is a rocket from Stammer, that Desh couldn't block, that Lanky couldn't stop.

Some of us in the game thread felt that was the GWG right there. Others were still sniffing the probability copium from last night that goes straight to the optimism center of the brain. Granted, that's a very small part of a Nucks fan's cerebral cortex.

Nice sentiment. But the problem is the Nucks didn't score any goals. Despite outshooting the Preds 10-3 in the period, Nucks trail 1-0 after 2.

3RD

In the 3rd, we expected... err... hoped for a big push back from the Nucks.

But, it's a B-2-B game and Nucks are tired. We're tired.

Saros does not look tired.

And he continues to make the Nucks offense to look as weak as it is. This is the same tender who the Nucks beat in the playoffs. Not with point shots, but in close near the paint. This game seemed there wasn't a Nucking forward near the net to stuff the rebounds. So many rebounds.

Doesn't matter. What matters is the Nucks get a PP early in the 3rd. That looked horrible. But not as horrible as the 2nd PP mid-period.

As if that 4 minutes of over-manned momentum zapper wasn't enough, Taco decides we need to witness 3 minutes of poor Nucking 6-on-5 so the Preds can score 2 ENs for the 3-0 win.

Ugh.

Oh well... at least we're accustomed to ROG losses by now. 14 losses vs 7 wins so far.

A one game win streak ought to be enough for a 'contending' team like the Nucks. At least we hope it is.

OBSERVATIONS

Could say the Nucks played well and just got goalied. That's true.

However... not unreasonable to expect the Nucks top line could score one measly goal. Miller started well, but appeared to lose interest as the game wore on and on. DeBrusk had 1 shot - his positioning and timing was not good. Worse, was Brock, who looked slower than usual and ended with zero shots.

Gnarly couldn't motor a goal with but a single shot. And poor Hoagie still can't buy a goal even on a high interest plan.

The D-pleted Nucks D played pretty good. Still... they all can't have a good game...

Sasson was the most consistent forward, but he's not yet a highly paid, point-a-game player. But few are this season on the Nucks.

Anything else? Yes!

Heard the burgers are good in the ROG.

Video Replay

Shortie and Ray calling the home ROG game with the same ROG result.

GAME STATS

PLAYER POINTS

SHOTS

PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK

Lanky played great, but not quite as great as he wanted.

Desh gets a presser - he's playing better.

Sherwood talks about not beating his old team.

Taco Talks about effort again. Is he looking as tired and frustrated as Green in the late JB stage?

As tough as it was to witness the 14th ROG loss in 21 home games, Nucks have a tougher 5 game road trip next week through the eastern provinces. The horror show begins on Monday in Montreal. Probably their best chance for a win.

After that, it gets really ugly. Especially with a B-2-B with the Canes and CoTU. The 2nd game of the B-2-B on Saturday on HNIC. Ouch!

Hopefully Pete returns early in the trip and is fired up with some Alien juice. Demmers is expected to get a few games in. Be great if Huggie returns to carry the team through the final few losses of the road trip.

Buckle up, NM. Expect the worst. Prepare for the worst. And hope for 1 win in 5.