“They didn’t secure victory as they hoped on Saturday, nor did they perform to their desired standard on Sunday.
Nevertheless, Dakota Joshua’s two goals and various other positive moments provided enough encouragement for the Vancouver Canucks in their 3-2 Easter triumph over the Anaheim Ducks, marking the team’s satisfaction in surpassing the 100-point milestone and clinching a National Hockey League playoff spot for the first time since 2015.
In 2020, the Canucks qualified for the pandemic playoffs based on points-percentage after their regular season was cut short at 69 games. This Saturday, they secured their playoff berth as a result of the St. Louis Blues’ loss to the San Jose Sharks, despite entering with a two-game losing streak and without playing.
Despite the setbacks, Sunday’s victory, along with a couple of goals scored on their struggling power play, brought some relief, concluding a challenging nine-game homestand with a record of 5-3-1, still ahead of the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division.
The Canucks, who endured a tumultuous homestand lasting 24 days in March, are eager to hit the road, particularly with veteran center J.T. Miller looking forward to a change after his kids’ extended break from school.
With just eight games left before the Stanley Cup tournament and much preparation ahead following their homestand, the Canucks kick off a three-game road trip on Tuesday against the reigning champions, the Vegas Golden Knights.”
“Coach Rick Tocchet expressed his satisfaction that the players remained focused amidst external commentary and stayed confident in their ability to achieve 100 points. However, he emphasized the need for improvement and cautioned against complacency, stating that being a playoff team and reaching the 100-point mark is just a starting point.
He praised the players for their efforts in reaching this milestone but stressed the importance of elevating their game further. Tocchet acknowledged that while they could momentarily relish their achievement, the focus now shifts to refining their performance. He urged certain players to rediscover their form and emphasized the collective effort required for the team to excel.
The Canucks’ victories at Rogers Arena came primarily against non-playoff teams, while their losses were against strong contenders for the Stanley Cup. The crucial win against Anaheim, the last-place team, was largely attributed to Dakota Joshua’s impressive performance. Joshua, returning from a six-week absence due to a broken finger, showcased his skills with two crucial goals, including a remarkable power-play goal and the game-winner.
His first goal, scored with his stick positioned between his legs, demonstrated his determination near the crease, while the second goal, scored late in regulation, highlighted his ability to capitalize on opportunities. The setup by Conor Garland for the game-winning goal was as impressive as Joshua’s first goal, showcasing the team’s offensive prowess.”
“I haven’t attempted that move too often,” Joshua remarked about his Mario Lemieux-esque goal in the second period. “But back when I used to play on the power play, I picked up a few tricks, so I knew what to do out there. I was fortunate that it worked out this time. The pace at this level is different, but I feel confident and comfortable in my abilities to make plays, especially in those situations.”
Later, Joshua clarified to Sportsnet that by “back in the day,” he meant all the days before his NHL career, which truly gained momentum after Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin signed him as a free agent two summers ago.
He recounted scoring a similar between-the-legs shot during an American Hockey League game with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues’ AHL affiliate, in Massachusetts, during his final season with the organization.
“It was Springfield against Syracuse,” Joshua recalled. “I can’t quite recall if it was on the power play, but it happened in the same spot, right there.”
The winger mentioned that during his four years at Ohio State and two seasons in the United States Hockey League in Sioux Falls, S.D., he primarily focused on offense. He acknowledged that like most young players, he prioritized scoring, but emphasized that at the NHL level, players need to contribute in various ways beyond just putting up points.
Throughout the season, Joshua has demonstrated versatility for the Canucks, contributing not only with 15 goals but also leading the team with 205 hits in 55 games. Before his injury on Feb. 13, Joshua, along with Garland and Teddy Blueger, formed one of the most productive third lines in the NHL.
The decision to promote Garland alongside Joshua to Miller’s wings wasn’t random; it was a strategic move by Tocchet, especially after shifting Brock Boeser from that line to support Elias Pettersson offensively. Boeser managed to score Vancouver’s first goal in their recent game, while minor-league callup Arturs Silovs made an impressive debut with 20 saves out of 22 shots.
Garland highlighted the importance of pairing in line formations, citing his successful partnerships in the past, particularly with Schmaltz in Arizona. He expressed appreciation for the stability of being paired with Dak throughout the year and praised Miller’s exceptional skills, considering him one of the top players globally.
When Garland jokingly referred to Miller as a top-five player in the world, it showed their camaraderie and confidence in each other. Joshua also emphasized the positive impact of playing alongside Garland, noting the chemistry and confidence they’ve developed.
Securing a playoff spot has been a significant achievement for the Canucks, boosting the morale of the team, city, and organization. Joshua highlighted the collective goal of making it to the playoffs and expressed excitement about the upcoming postseason.
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