Canucks Lose Coin-Flip Game to Kings, But Playoff Hopes Still Strong

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet compared Monday's 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings to a coin flip, acknowledging the low-scoring nature of the game. Despite pulling goaltender Casey DeSmith to gain an extra attacker, the Canucks fell short in their attempt to tie the score. Nonetheless, Tocchet expressed confidence in his team's defensive performance, emphasizing the importance of playing fast and limiting the opposition's opportunities. With 10 regular season games remaining, the Canucks are focused on maintaining their strong defensive play in preparation for the upcoming playoffs.

Vancouver Canucks Stumble in Coin-Flip Loss to Los Angeles Kings, But Playoff Prospects Remain Bright

Vancouver, British Columbia - In a game akin to a coin toss, the Vancouver Canucks succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night at Rogers Arena.

The teams traded goals in the first period, with L.A.'s Kevin Fiala opening the scoring and Sam Lafferty responding for Vancouver. However, the Kings seized control in the second period, with Blake Lizotte and Anze Kopitar netting goals late to establish a 3-1 lead.

Despite facing a two-goal deficit, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet gambled by pulling goaltender Casey DeSmith with over three minutes remaining. The maneuver paid off with a goal by Brock Boeser to bring Vancouver within one with 2:53 left. But that's as close as they would come. Despite ample opportunities with an extra attacker, the Canucks failed to equalize.

"It was low event [hockey]," Tocchet said. "There were eight or nine chances for each team – they just got a couple in the paint."

Canucks forward J.T. Miller conceded, "They played well. It was a hard-fought game. They capitalized on the little [amount] of looks that they had and they're a hard team to beat whenever they have the lead."

While the loss was disappointing, it is unlikely to cause undue concern for players and coaching staff. In March, the Canucks have demonstrated a knack for winning low-scoring contests. Their consistent defensive performance is indicative of their preparation for the upcoming postseason.

In ten games since the start of March, the Canucks have limited their opponents to two goals or less in eight contests, with only a 4-3 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche on March 13th and the loss to the Kings breaking that streak.

Tocchet has instilled a defensive philosophy that emphasizes containing opponents' speed in the neutral zone, denying access to the inner slot, and eliminating cross-ice passes and back-door plays, allowing the goaltender to anticipate the direction of shots.

"I just like players skating forward to defend," Tocchet said. "Backwards skating to me…you're on your heels. There are times when you have to skate backwards but for the most part I like everyone skating forward – even the defenceman sometimes. When you are connected as five, gaping up and skating forward it's hard to break through that. Most of the time when you get into trouble it's because your back-skating and opening up lanes."

According to Tocchet, another key to the team's recent success has been dictating the tempo of the game by playing at a high pace.

"I think it's when we play fast and don't let the other team to play in their structure," Tocchet said. "We like to advance the puck – let's go. I think once we start to hold it, massaging the puck or regrouping with the puck, I don't think it's to our advantage for us to play that way. I'd just rather we just break team's structure before they get into it. And if they are in their structure – which is going to happen – we will game plan on how to break through it."

With ten games remaining in the regular season, the Canucks are hoping that their focus on defensive play and pace will translate into postseason success.

Overtime Notes

• Elias Lindholm was absent from the lineup against L.A. due to an undisclosed injury. No timeline has been established for his return.
• Boeser continues to torment the Kings. With his goal on Monday, Boeser now has 16 goals and six assists for 22 points in 19 games against L.A. during his career.
• The Canucks' first-round pick from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, has joined the team's AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. Lekkerimaki is expected to practice with the team and may see game action, according to a report by Canucks.com writer Chris Faber. Lekkerimaki led Orebro HK of the SweHL in scoring with 19 goals and 12 assists for 31 points in 46 games. The 19-year-old's stay in Abbotsford may be brief, as he is anticipated to return to Sweden to try out for their World Hockey Championship entry.
• Injured forward Dakota Joshua has returned to practice with the team, albeit in a non-contact red jersey. He is nearing a return to game action. Joshua has been out since injuring his hand in Chicago on February 13th, missing 18 games as a result.
• If the Canucks had defeated the Kings, they would have become the first team in the league to clinch a playoff berth. Vancouver currently leads the overall standings with 98 points. Next up for Vancouver is a game against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night at Rogers Arena.