Canucks: Pumped-up Pettersson a positive sign for better times
It’s the better body language and up-tempo tone.
It’s the stronger stride, heightened compete level and sizzling shot release that has found more crossbars and posts than net. Most of all, it could be a sign of encouraging times because Elias Pettersson is pumped up about his recent play and getting his game back to a dominant level.
And for the Vancouver Canucks, who desperately need their top line at top form to make a legitimate push toward the playoffs, a spurt of 11 points (4-7) in the last 11 games by Pettersson is significant. He needed seven games to score his first goal this shortened season and the glare of the scrutiny spotlight was intense.
Now, he’s skating more freely and conversing more easily.
Pettersson had five shots and eight attempts against Calgary on Feb.11, and three nights earlier in Toronto he scored and had three shots and six attempts. And on Feb. 2 in Montreal, he scored and had another five-shot, eight-attempts outing.
“The last couple of games, I’ve been trying to skate faster and challenge the opponents harder,” Pettersson said Tuesday following practice. “The first couple of games I didn’t really do that stuff — I was too stationary and was trying to make plays while standing still. And then I’m an easy target to play against, so I’ve been thinking about that lately and playing better.”
If Pettersson can keep it up, The Lotto Line could cash in on a more regular basis. Pettersson has only five goals and is capable of much more.
“We have a lot more in us,” Pettersson said of his line. “We have our good looks, but we’re not having long shifts in the offensive zone. I know what we’re capable of and we talk about it before every game. We’ve just got to find it as soon as possible.
“We’ve been breaking out the puck better. We’re not just throwing it away and we’re doing the simple plays and the fundamentals a lot better.”
To Travis Green, this is exactly what he wants to see and hear. When body and mind are in sync, an elite centre like Pettersson can have a greater impact.
“Any top player in the league, you notice them moving their feet and wanting the puck and commanding the puck,” said the Canucks’ coach. “I don’t think he had his legs under him to start the season. He would probably admit that he wasn’t on top of his game. But he does seem to be getting to a level where he played before.”
The constraints of coronavirus pandemic protocols have forced players to adjust at home, the rink and on the road.
“We’re in different times and young players are affected in different ways,” said Green. “He’s still young and progressing.”
Too much Miller time?
How much ice is too much ice?
J.T. Miller logged a season-high 24:52 on Monday and part of it was being deployed on seven power plays, being part of the late-game equalizer and also killing penalties.
In place of the injured Tyler Motte, the left-winger has helped the improving penalty kill go 12-for-13 the last four games. But is it hurting in the long run?
Can the Canucks afford to have a gassed Miller, who’s averaging 20:06, tack on five extra minutes? He played 4:54 on the penalty kill and 6:58 on the power play Monday. Yet he also set the screen in the final minute for Brock Boeser to score the equalizer and force overtime.
“I called him in today to talk about his minutes,” said Green. “I don’t like them creeping up that much. Guys are competitive and want to play as many minutes as they can and, on the other hand, I did tell him I like his penalty killing.
“There’s a combination and you’re lucky to find a skilled guy who can kill penalties and is hard enough and brave enough. He has those qualities. I’ll probably keep him on the penalty kill and cut his ice in other places once in a while.
“We were down to pretty much two lines (Monday) in the last five minutes, and you have visions of playing a guy 20 minutes, but you play him more and he was a big part of the tying goal.
“I don’t like to see his minutes that high and I’ll try not to get them that high.”
OVERTIME —
Prize prospect
Vasili Podkolzin
, the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, was injured Tuesday in a KHL game. As he turned left along the corner boards after rimming the puck in the offensive zone, he took a left shoulder to the chin. He had to be helped off the ice and may have a suspected concussion.
bkuzma@postmedia.com
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