Game #46 - Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers game recap

Jesse Pujajarvi and Patrick Maroon had plenty to celebrate after a dominating performance vs. the Canucks

It's been an interesting season for the Vancouver Canucks with some expected growing pains but also some promise. Before we get into the recap of tonight's game, some good news for Canucks fans. Bo Horvat is nearing a return to action. He has been cleared to play and travel and is with the team in Edmonton. Likely he'll skate with the team in the morning skates this weekend and practice when the Canucks return home on Monday and either he'll play sometime next week or right after the all-star game. The playoffs are going to be a challenge to make but with the team basically healthy they have a chance. Without further ado here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights

• A bad start to this game for Jacob Marsktrom and the Canucks as Patrick Maroon scored on the first shot of the game. The Canucks were caught flatfooted in the neutral zone and Connor McDavid centered to Maroon who finished it off. Patrick Maroon would later seal the game on an empty-netter
• Jesse Puljujarvi of the Oilers took the first penalty of the game shooting the puck over the glass. The Canucks did nothing on the PP. Puljujarvi more than made up for the penalty scoring what would prove to be the winning goal off a scramble late in the second and feeding Leon Draisaitl for the back-breaking goal foyr and a half minutes into the third
• Brock Boeser looked dangerous on the ice and had a couple of chances including a clean breakaway from the blueline but he was stopped by Cam Talbot
• Jujhar Khaira made it 2-0 Oilers by getting behind the Canucks defense and backhanding it over Markstrom who went down early
• Markstrom made a huge early stop in the second on former Canuck Zack Kassian
• the Canucks responded by converting on the PP chance on a nice tip by Daniel Sedin off an Alex Edler wrist shot which for once missed the Oiler's defenders shin pads
• Boeser is stymied by the goal post
• Brandon Sutter ties the game snapping one by Talbot

My Take

• Jacob Markstrom really kept the Canucks in it making several big stops during the game off Kassian and McDavid. At the same time, Markstrom has to find a way to make an extra save. He had no chance on the first and last goals he allowed, but, he was down early on the second goal and he should have found the puck in the scramble. While the Canucks will likely go with backup Anders Nilsson tomorrow, Markstrom played well enough to earn another start tomorrow
• Brock Boeser didn't score but he is creating chances and eventually he'll start scoring in bunches again
• The freshest Canuck tomorrow might be Bo Horvat if he makes his return. Both Vancouver and Winnipeg have to travel after playing in Alberta today. Winnipeg stands to be the fresher team as the Canucks are at the end of a long three week 7 game road trip.
• Chris Tanev looked uncomfortable wearing the caged helmet. To me, it's pretty amazing to see him playing just 5 days after major dental surgery
• Looking ahead, the Canucks face the Jets in Winnipeg tomorrow followed by home dates with the LA Kings and Buffalo Sabres. to wrap up the schedule before the all-star break. They have lost the first 2 meetings vs. the Jets and have lost by a combined score of 9-3. The season series vs. LA is tied at 1 with the road team winning both games. The Canucks beat Buffalo 4-2 back on October 20. The most winnable game is likely Thursday vs. Buffalo but it will be the Canucks 4th game in 6 days so one wonders how much they'll have in the tank

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