Canucks News & Rumours: Pettersson’s Physical Game and Lankinen’s Losing Streak

The Vancouver Canucks have a couple of problems to sort through, and Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning reminded everyone how difficult things have become. Elias Pettersson found the net on the power play, but his recent offensive production has slowed. Meanwhile, Kevin Lankinen continues to take the losses, even when he’s playing well enough to win. He’s kept the Canucks in games that always seem to be slipping the other way.

Neither story is entirely straightforward. Pettersson is producing at a point-per-game pace, so it’s not as if he’s disappeared offensively. Lankinen, on the other hand, is facing a team that isn’t giving its goalies much room for error. The numbers are ugly, and Vancouver needs better results, but both situations are about more than the latest box score.

The point is that, from what I’m watching, the season is likely going to be ugly for the Canucks. But these two players, using the old eye test, are doing everything they can to win. It’s going to be a strange season for Canucks fans.

Elias Pettersson’s Physical Play Could Help Get His Offence Going Again

Pettersson scored a power-play goal against Tampa Bay, bringing his season total to 10 points in 10 games. That’s a respectable start, even if the recent numbers are a little less encouraging. He has managed just two points in his last five games, and all three of his goals this season have come with the man advantage. The Canucks need more offence from him at even strength, especially when the team struggles to generate consistent pressure.

Another number is worth watching, though. Pettersson has recorded 30 hits already this season. That’s a lot of contact for a player better known for his skill and offensive instincts. At that pace, he’d finish with more than 240 hits over a full season, although it’s unlikely he’ll maintain that rate. Still, you shouldn’t dismiss the physical side of his game as a side note. It means that he’s playing with an edge.

In fact, Pettersson’s best offensive seasons came when he was also getting involved physically. He recorded 102 points in one season and 89 in another, along with 74 and 125 hits, respectively. That doesn’t mean throwing more hits automatically produces more points. But when Pettersson is engaged, competing for pucks and playing with some edge, he becomes a harder player to defend.

The Canucks need him to bring that willingness to compete. If the recent scoring slowdown continues, finding that balance could be important.

Kevin Lankinen Takes Another Loss as Canucks’ Goaltending Woes Continue

Lankinen made 31 saves against Tampa Bay, but the Canucks still lost 4-2. The workload contrast tells part of the story. Dennis Hildeby, the opposing goalie, faced just 14 shots, while Lankinen stayed busy all night. He even earned third-star honours, which says a lot about how much work he had to do.

Unfortunately for Lankinen, the loss was his sixth straight. After winning Vancouver’s season opener against the Edmonton Oilers on Sept. 29, he hasn’t found another victory. His 6.40 goals-against average and .807 save percentage are difficult numbers to defend, and nobody is going to pretend those results are good enough. At the same time, he can only do so much when his team allows so many chances and spends so much time defending.

The problem is that Lankinen is caught in a vicious cycle. The Canucks need saves to keep games close, but they’re giving up too many chances. As losses pile up, every goal against becomes more noticeable, and confidence can become harder to maintain. Lankinen isn’t blameless, but it would be unfair to put Vancouver’s entire problem on him.

The team needs to defend better, spend more time with the puck, and give its goalie a reasonable chance to win. Until that happens, even a strong night in net might not be enough.

What’s Next for the Canucks?

Pettersson is the more encouraging of these two stories. His overall production remains respectable, and the physical engagement is a positive sign. The next step is turning that effort into more consistent five-on-five offence. Vancouver needs its top players to lead the way, and Pettersson has the talent to do that. A few more points at even strength would help ease pressure on a team that’s struggling to score consistently.

Lankinen’s situation is more problematic. Six straight losses and his season statistics can’t simply be brushed aside, but the Canucks also have to look at what’s happening in front of him. Better defensive coverage and fewer quality chances against would help both the goalie and the team.

Neither Pettersson nor Lankinen can fix Vancouver’s problems alone. For now, the Canucks need more of their best players to find their games, and they need to make life a little easier for the goalie. That seems like the most logical place to start.