Canucks vs Canadiens: To defend is divine, failure to score is fatal

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Vancouver Canucks vs. Montreal Canadiens

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When/where: Tuesday, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena

TV: Sportsnet Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650

The buzz: Tough talk is the sign of troubling times.

The Canucks need everybody pulling on the competitive rope because without the collective effort the path to peril is cemented. And when that didn’t occur Sunday, it left Rick Tocchet with no choice but to do what any bench boss would execute.

He cut back the ice time of Jake DeBrusk, Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson, a trio that is supposed to be difference-makers. They are not supposed to drag down the objective of manufacturing much-needed production for the NHL’s 27th-ranked offence (2.71 goals per game) and shot-starved attack that is rated 31st (25.5 shots per outing).

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They combined for just three shots in a 4-1 setback to the third-ranked Dallas Stars at Rogers Arena. That’s beyond disturbing.

To their credit, the Canucks were executing a low-event game. However, their big guns couldn’t manufacture shots, net presence or finish in a setback that kept them from vaulting back into a wild-card playoff position. So instead of letting it all slide, Tocchet sent a stern message that should resonate with any player.

“You’ve got to earn your ice time, it’s how you win” he bluntly stated. “That’s the way it works. That’s how you earn a Stanley Cup. We’re in the thick of the race and we need desperation. You have to feel comfortable in tight games, and good teams have a comfort level. But you need a cushion, you need some goals.”

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DeBrusk, the club’s leading gunner with 22 goals, logged 12:45 against the Stars, compared to his average of 16:31. The book on the big winger isn’t complicated. He moves well and will get to the net to set screens, tip pucks and fish for rebounds. He should be stronger in cornerboard battles, come out with the puck, and take a direct route to the net. He had two shots Sunday.

Boeser is mired in a mess. The Canucks tried to move the unrestricted free agent at the trade deadline Friday and there has been no movement on a possible contract extension, if he chooses to stay or get market value elsewhere. It has led to an eight-game goal drought and just two goals in his last 16 games.

Boeser logged 15:49 against the Stars, two minutes less than his average, and had one shot. His game isn’t complicated. He’s at his best at positioning himself for tips and rebounds or releasing shots closer to the net. He can’t be a perimeter player.

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Pettersson went from euphoria of unloading a power-play howitzer Friday — a one-timer that rocketed into top corner of the net — to being quiet Sunday. He tried to create rather that shoot and didn’t muster a single shot. He has one goal in his last 17 outings. His 16:05 of ice time against the Stars was down from his 18:47 average.

The history: Second meeting of season. The Canucks lost 5-4 in overtime at Montreal on Jan. 6. Nick Suzuki scored 48 seconds into the extra session on a power play to cap a three-point night. J.T. Miller scored twice, but the Canucks had just 20 shots.

The hope: Tocchet’s message carries some weight. He could mix up his lines Tuesday because he can’t keep benching or scratch guys who are supposed to get the Canucks to the playoffs. If they don’t respond, there’s a bigger problem. The Canucks didn’t practise Monday.

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The fear: The Canadiens didn’t hold a deadline fire sale. They are in playoff contention and a dynamic first-line duo of Cole Caufield and Suzuki has combined for 50 goals and 121 points. Caufield has a team-high 31 goals, including 10 power-play tallies and five game winners.

The top guns: Filip Hronek has four assists in his last five games, Pius Suter has three points in that span (2-1), and Teddy Blueger has struck twice the last three games. That’s it.

The wounded: Canucks: Quinn Hughes (lower body, day-to-day), Thatcher Demko (lower body, week-to-week, IR), Noah Juulsen (hernia surgery, IR). Canadiens: Patrik Laine (illness, day-to-day), Kaiden Guhle (lower body, week-to-week), Kirby Dach (knee, IR).

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The quote: “It didn’t get away from us. We had some opportunities and hit the crossbar, but we just didn’t have enough.” — Rick Tocchet on Sunday loss to the Stars.

The projected lineup: 

Joshua-Pettersson-Garland

O’Connor-Chytil-Lekkerimaki

DeBrusk-Suter-Boeser

Hoglander-Blueger-Sherwood

EPettersson-Hronek

MPettersson-Myers

Forbort-Mancini

The prediction: Desperation hopefully leads to perspiration and more than one goal. It won’t be easy. The Habs can score and have sixth-ranked penalty kill. Canucks get the goaltending and eke out 3-2 win.

(FAN FORUM: Do you have a specific question for a player? Pass it along to @provincesports and we’ll get it in a future edition.)

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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