NUCKS LOSE TO ANOTHER HOCKEY CLUB. AGAIN.

So... ummm... is this the kind of Taco hockey that will carry us into the playoffs? Asking for a for a goal-starved friend.

It's tough for the Nucks to play high-scoring games when no one other than Jake can score. And no one other than Quinn can drive play. And Huggie can't drive while onboard BC Faeries cruise to the Lost Season.

Also tough for Arty who outplayed his opposite with a .938 SV% vs a .933 SV% as Nucks can't outscore their problems, because they can't score no more.

Also tough on us to watch the 2nd of a Nucking B2B at any time, never mind during dinner.

1ST

Nucks were still rusty to start. Still took too many penalties. Again 6 minutes of PK practice. Effective practice.

Even better, didn't give up a goal 5v5. Or get one. With their staggering 4 shots on goal.

Like last night, it's 0-0 after 1.

2ND

Good start in the 2nd for the Nucks. Get the 1st goal of the game. On the PP! EP40 passes net front to, who else, DeBrusk. Jake scores! Nucks have the lead. For a little while.

And, like yesterday, that concluded the Nucks scoring. Cup contending teams can win 1-nothing games.

Nucks aren't that team. Yet. Maybe never...

Of course, the other hockey club scores a few minutes later. And another period later.

1-1 after 40 minutes. And game already lost. Again.

3RD

You would have thought after last night's big push in the 3rd that put more Nucking shots in that 3rd period than they did in this entire game, that the Nucks would know they had to make more plays to get more shots - high danger shot if possible as highly unlike as that is. Whatever.

But to get more shots, requires a few playmakers. At the moment it appears the Nucks have none.

And worse, the Nucks PK lost it's perfect status. Give up a PP goal. The GWG. For the other hockey club.

It was a low energy game that resulted in a low scoring game that the Nucks lost. Coaches feel this team can't win high scoring games. Turns out can't win many low scoring games without Quinn.

So the #Canucks have gone from playing low event hockey to no event hockey. What a sad effort that was.

— fuzzysnack (@fuzzysnack.bsky.social) February 23, 2025 at 7:40 PM

Disappointing loss. Not as tough a loss as last night, because there wasn't the effort, the urgency in this loss. Are the players just waiting for the TDL to burst onto the scoresheet? On another team?

We don't know. But we sure hope the management and coaches have a plan to either make this team better after the TDL or make it much, much better next season so Quinn has a reason to stick around with a group of underachievers.

OBSERVATIONS

Seems only Huggie can make plays and generate scoring chances. Ouch!

51 shot attempts 15 on goal. That hockey club blocked 20. The others missed the net. Nucks 2nd to last in league in shots on goal. 2nd to last in high danger shots. Good thing Taco system is stingy. If only the Nucks were just more stingy, could win games with 1 goal or less.

Again, Gnarland didn't have a good game. So... Taco didn't reward him more ice time - that's an improvement. Gnarly has gone dry, 9 points in the last 30 games.

Does Suter need to be worried? This was a better game from EP40. Got a big apple on the PP goal. He's definitely earning his middle-six center money now. Too bad he can't score on breakaways anymore.

The sky is still blue...but there's clouds on the horizon...

Sucks to lose the game because of a shitty home team call against Forbort but serves them right. Can't keep hoping to win every game 2-1 needing great goaltending to do it. We need a good faceoff guy. That is liked by his teammates. #Canucks

— DJTaxman77 (@hugheshart43.bsky.social) February 23, 2025 at 7:41 PM

Pettersson is currently ranked: 111th in assists, 177th in goals. 137th in points. 17 shots on goal last 10 games. Cap hit 11.6 million. Total salary 14.5 million According to #BETMGM, Pettersson is the third highest paid player this season. #Canucks

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— ✨️Sparky✨️ (@sp-arky.bsky.social) February 23, 2025 at 9:23 PM

Going from the fantastic hockey at the 4 nations to watching the #canucks is quite a shock. Very boring to watch and not getting the job done. Quinn Hughes really makes this club a fringe playoff team. Without him they might be bottom 5.

— VanCity Sports (@vancitysports.bsky.social) February 23, 2025 at 9:19 PM

Kent has told us before. Now the entire sky knows too.

After the #Canucks first contending season in over a decade: - Miller implodes and leaves - Demko may never play again - Pettersson gets big $ then loses all ability - Boeser has a career year, takes a headshot and hasn’t been the same - Hughes is now dealing w injuries This team is truly cursed.

— fuzzysnack (@fuzzysnack.bsky.social) February 23, 2025 at 9:14 PM

Anything else? Yes!

B2B games should be declined. At least until late next week or later. Much later.

Video Replay

Shorty and Dave making a dull game sound exciting.

GAME STATS

PLAYER POINTS

SHOTS

PLAYERS 'N TACO TALK

EPete40 talking to the media. That's good, right?

Arty was great in net and on mic.

Taco Talked... talked the same old same talk... not enough moving feet, changing angles - from moving feet, too many point shots, not enough shots getting through... etc...

Nucks lose again on the road. But wait! There's more losing to do. This road trip is just getting started!

The one-goal-per-game Nucks play in LA on Wednesday and Thursday in Disneyland. We can hope beyond hope that Quinn is ready to play one of those games. Doesn't seem that many Nucks are this trip.