Apr 23, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (40) reacts after missing a scoring chance against the Nashville Predators during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

If the Canucks are going to win, their biggest stars have to play like it

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Sam Nestler | Last updated 4/26/24

The Vancouver Canucks are in a series.

Not that the 1-1 series score after two games is a huge surprise, with the Nashville Predators being one of the hottest teams in the NHL down the stretch. But the way it has gotten there is a bit alarming for the second seed from the Western Conference.

After a solid 4-2 win in Game 1, Vancouver was unable to hit the net or convert on their loads of possession time in a 4-1 loss in Game 2. And for a team that finished sixth with 3.40 goals per game in the regular season, that is a problem.

In two games, the Canucks’ superstars have been quiet. Too quiet.

Elias Pettersson racked up 89 points (34 goals, 55 assists) in 82 regular-season games. He has no points and a minus-4 rating in two playoff games. J.T. Miller led the team in the regular season with 103 points (37 goals, 66 assists) in 81 games but has just one assist. Quinn Hughes has only two assists, Brock Boeser and Conor Garland each have one assist and Elias Lindholm has the lone goal. When you look at the Vancouver lineup, no one is playing at the level they are capable of.

Add to that the injury to goaltender Thatcher Demko, and it becomes even more worrisome.

If the Canucks are going to handle the Predators and make a deep playoff run like they expected to, their stars have to step up. And quickly.

Frank Seravalli: Here’s the bright way to look at it if you prefer the positive angle… Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes and Brock Boeser all haven’t scored yet in this series… That’s the path for the Canucks to win this series… Heading to Nashville, they’ve got a real chance in a pivotal Game 3 to make their mark on the series.

Tyler Yaremchuk: They have controlled the possession, they’ve just struggled to get shots through… There is an art to blocking shots, there is an art to getting pucks through as well… As much as I commend Nashville, I look at Vancouver and go ‘You’ve got to find a way to get pucks through.’ You’re not going to win this series if you’re only throwing 22-25 shots on Juuse Saros.

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