Special Teams Show Mixed Results: Canucks Loses 5-2 to the Blues
-
By Doug Hirdle
- —
Summary:
- Kiefer Sherwood scored a short-handed goal as the Vancouver Canucks’ penalty kill stayed strong.
- The Canucks’ power play remains scoreless through three games.
- Rookie Jimmy Snuggerud led the St. Louis Blues with two goals in the 5–2 win.
Kiefer Sherwood understands how much special teams can shape a hockey game, for better or worse. Early in the season, his Vancouver Canucks are seeing both sides of that equation.
The power play hasn’t clicked yet, but the penalty kill has been sharp.
“Momentum Shifts and Energy”
Sherwood said after Vancouver’s 5–2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Monday.
Power play and (penalty kill) are chances for momentum shifts and energy. So our PK takes pride in trying to get the momentum back after a kill. And from there, we keep rolling.
The Canucks killed two of three penalties against St. Louis, and even managed a short-handed goal, courtesy to Sherwood, who, midway through the second period, intercepted a pass in the defensive zone, broke free, and beat goalie Jordan Binnington with a slick move to his forehand.
It was just good pressure and kind of forced them to make a bad pass. Then we just kind of were off to the races and kind of just get after it, I guess.
That effort is part of what’s been working so far on the penalty kill. Vancouver had successfully killed all nine penalties in their first two games of the season, a strong sign of structure and discipline.
We have long D here, and they have a lot of good reads, and they’re big keys for us down the stretch. So the forwards kind of read off of them. And once we take care of the seams and stuff, it kind of allows the pressure to kind of take care of itself.
While the PK has been a strength, the power play hasn’t found its rhythm. After coming up empty on their only chance Monday, the Canucks are now 0-for-7 on the new NHL season.
Coach Foote: “They’re Really Good Players”
They’ve just got to execute. I think sometimes, you get into your own head and you overanalyze. And they’re really good players, they’ll figure it out. And once one drops, that’s usually when the confidence picks up.
Vancouver’s top line, made of Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, and Jake DeBrusk, was quiet against the Blues. Boeser is the only one with goals this season, scoring in each of the first two games. Foote isn’t worried yet.
It’s early in the season We’re not going to get into that. The top guys, I’m sure they’re thinking about their power play… but we’re not going to overanalyze that at this moment.
For St. Louis, rookie Jimmy Snuggerud stole the show with two goals and six shots. Captain Brayden Schenn called him “the best player on the ice”, praising his IQ and finishing touch.
Snuggerud, just 21, was all smiles afterward.
It’s so fun to see and guys are committing this early in the season, so it’s great
