For the Vancouver Canucks, March is starting the same way February did – with Jake Virtanen trade conjecture and a team desperate for wins.
The Canucks open back-to-back road games against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night, with Virtanen expected to start on the second line beside Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson. A semi-regular healthy scratch until three weeks ago, the struggling 24-year-old has moved up the lineup amid speculative reports that the Anaheim Ducks are interested in acquiring the former sixth-overall draft pick whose one goal this season was scored on Jan. 18.
The Bruins were previously rumoured to be interested in Virtanen, but the Canucks have found it difficult to find an American trading partner during a pandemic that has caused border and quarantine restrictions.
Canucks coach Travis Green said this morning that he needs another five or 10 per cent from his players, but that would seem to be the bare minimum upgrade required from Virtanen, who had 18 goals last season but has scored on one of 28 shots this year.
Including the end of last season and the NHL’s return to play in the bubble, Virtanen has just three goals in his last 42 games.
The Canucks have been shut out twice during a four-game losing streak (0-3-1) and are just 2-9-2 in their last 13 games to fall out of the playoff race in the North Division.
The Jets swept a pair of games in Vancouver last week.
“When you’re playing well and you have a team that wants to win drastically. . . you have to be really honest with your group about their play, but also continue to push them,” Green said after the morning skate in Winnipeg. “You’ve got to find another five or 10 per cent. That’s what we’re looking for now.
“And the players always know. Friends, family, media can talk to players about how well they’re playing or if they’re struggling, but deep down, players always know as individuals. The player usually understands how he’s playing no matter what anyone else tells him.”
The Canucks have played solidly for nine games, generally outshooting and outchancing opponents, but have just two wins to show for it. Until Thursday’s 3-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, whose final goal was scored into an empty net, the Canucks’ losses have all been by two goals or less.
Twice they blew two-goal leads in games, and lost another game after leading 3-0.
“I think that’s the frustrating part; we are playing good hockey and we are doing a lot of good things out there,” captain Bo Horvat said. “It’s just getting over that hump. If we weren’t playing well or were getting blown out... (but) we’re not. That extra five or 10 per cent is going to get us over the hump, and we need that from everybody.”
Green announced that Thatcher Demko will start in goal for the fifth time in six games. In his last five appearances, the first-year starter has a .913 save percentage, lifting his season save rate to .901.
But Clear Sight Analytics’s proprietary shot data shows that Demko is actually sixth in the NHL with 4.37 goals saved above expectations.
“I think his game is progressing,” Green said. “I think Demmer looks sharp. He’s a good goalie and he’s played well of late.”
At 8-14-2, the Canucks already look hopelessly behind in the playoff race four games before the mid-point of their season. But win or lose, it is imperative that the team’s young core players continue to progress. The group includes, Demko, Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Brock Boeser and even Horvat. Virtanen is part of the next tier of players the Canucks would like to see develop into supporting roles.
“As an organization, that’s always a big part of moving forward,” Green said. “In general, over the years, our young players have progressed. This year, we maybe have a couple of individuals who didn’t have the start that they want to have. As the season moves on, you hope that they find their game.”
EXPECTED LINES AND PAIRINGS
Forwards
J.T. Miller-Elias Pettersson-Brock Boeser
Tanner Pearson-Bo Horvat-Jake Virtanen
Nils Hoglander-Brandon Sutter-Adam Gaudette
Antoine Roussel-Jay Beagle-Zack MacEwen/Jayce Hawryluk
Defencemen
Alex Edler-Nate Schmidt
Quinn Hughes-Travis Hamonic
Jordie Benn-Tyler Myers
