Bruce Boudreau Has Been What the Canucks Needed
Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau at a press conference (photo from the Hockey Writers)
I've noticed about the Vancouver Canucks that Roger's Arena has been packed and rowdy during every single home game--and that's something I haven't seen in years. When the Canucks were one of the premier teams in the NHL back in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Roger's Arena was one of the most electrifying hockey venues globally. The players were fierce, and the fans were passionate. The passion from the fans has returned since the beginning of the season. Roger's Arena has sold an average of 98% of its seats per game--which is one of the highest rates in the NHL. Despite having such a high attendance, fans weren't coming to games to cheer their team on--they were coming to watch them crash and burn.
The first 25 games of the Canucks season have been unkind, to be frank. The squad went 8-15-2, which was good enough for last place in the Pacific Division--even behind the newly inaugurated Seattle Kraken. After games, people would leave Roger's Arena chanting "Fire Benning" and "Fire Green"--and those chants rang true.
During a home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, one Canucks fan got so fed up with how his team was playing that he threw his Canucks jersey on the ice as a sign of defeat. The image of Penguins Brian Dumoulin returning the jersey to the disgruntled fan was the low point of the season. To Dumoulin's credit, he was respectful with the jersey, but it was a sight for sore eyes for Canucks fans. Luckily, that was the tipping point for owner Francesco Aqailini. He fired Jim Benning and Travis Green and replaced them with interim general manager Jim Rutherford--yikes--and head coach Bruce Boudreau; hell yea.
Brian Dumoulin returns a jersey to a fan (Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports)
Since the hiring of Bruce Boudreau, the Canucks have been playing like the team they were supposed to. They've been getting consistent goaltending from Thatcher Demko--who went 4-0 in his four starts with a shut out and a .969 save percentage. The defense has been looking much better, even with reliable defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson sidelined due to an injury--but that hasn't mattered. In OEL's absence, Tyler Myers has taken on a much more significant role and has improved on his already impressive season on the blue-line.
The Canucks defense was very concerning coming into this season, and they've misplayed except for Quinn Hughes, Tyler Myers--can't believe I said that--and OEL. Boudreau has brought out something in the players that have improved their defense--I think he helped them with their confidence.
Though Quinn Hughes is a gifted offensive defenseman, his defensive game was absent last season. He had a rating of -24--which is horrible. Before Boudreau, he had a +4, and he wanted to keep that up and prove that his defensive skills were back. He asked Boudreau to let him on the penalty kill--which is something that Travis Green would've never done--and Bruce has been letting him do it. Quinn has been an excellent addition to the penalty kill along with Elias Pettersson--yes, you read that right.
Elias Pettersson scores a goal of Hurricanes goalie Antti Raanta (DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Quinn Hughes may not have needed the confidence booster, but his teammates Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser were desperate for some confidence. Coach Green kept Boeser and Pettersson in their exact roles and wouldn't let them branch out and test their skills elsewhere--I believe this hindered their ability to play because they weren't excelling as pure scorers as they usually do. Boudreau decided to separate the two on different lines--even moving Pettersson to the third line--and it's been working very well. Boeser is averaging a point per game since Boudreau has come in with three goals and two assists in five games. Pettersson has two goals and an assist in those five games, but he looks sharper--he also had a sick game-winning shoot-out goal against the Winnipeg Jets.
Seeing Boeser and Pettersson getting back to their old ways is great, but the critical thing about Bruce Boudreau's arrival is the winning. Since he's taken over as head coach, the Canucks are 5-0. They've beaten some decent teams along the way, such as the Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins, which proves that they're capable of beating suitable units. Also, their latest win against the Columbus Blue Jackets was a great comeback victory from 3-0 to win it all 4-3--this proves that they can play from behind. In the past, the Canucks would go belly-up if they were down 3-0 in the first period. Now they fight until the game is over.
Boudreau says something to JT Miller during practice (NICK PROCAYLO /PNG)
If Boudreau's influence hasn't been made clear enough, after every Canucks goal, Canucks fans are chanting "Bruce, there it is" to honor their new coach. The fans are no longer entirely skeptical about their team. The chant has become popular amongst fans, however, Boudreau himself is not a fan of the chant. He said, “It certainly is nice coming to a new town and having a little bit of success, but I wish they’d stop singing that stupid song, though, in the stands”. Though he may not like it, it is how his new fans are thanking him for his success so far. Remember, a little over a week ago the only thing the fans were demands that people lose their job—they’ve come a long way if you ask me.
Canucks fans are loving that their beloved team is competitive and competent again thanks to Boudreau. The skaters are blocking shots and minimizing the looks other teams are getting. The forwards are scoring from all lines, and the goaltenders stand tall. My only concerns are that the last four wins were all one-score games and that they've had this success at home. I want to see the Canucks win a comfortable match and prove they can win on the road. All and all, the Canucks have been doing great under Bruce Boudreau, but there is an ominous cloud up ahead that could harshen the Canucks streak.
The NHL is currently undergoing a COVID issue. The Calgary Flames have postponed some games, and other teams have decided to meet virtually instead of in person. Players who are documented to be fully vaccinated are walking around their facilities with masks on. To make matters worse, the Winter Olympics could get postponed to next year--which doesn't look good for the NHL. Though it is great to see the Canucks playing so well, the safety of the players comes first--even if it means postponing some games. If games are postponed, this will kill any momentum the Canucks currently have--and that would suck. Hopefully, the NHL figures this out so the fans can continue to go to games, and the Canucks can continue to play. These last five games have been great, and I would love for the fans to continue enjoying this run and bringing their passion to Roger's Arena.