The Vancouver Canucks were patient in game one against the Nashville Predators and stuck with their game to take the lead in the third period.
Dak was back on the attack, scoring the go-ahead goal plus one more for assurance, and he said experiencing playoff hockey at Rogers Arena and the fans’ energy helped them through the first game.
“It means a lot. Obviously you could tell the building was rocking all night. It was nice that we could get the first win out of the way and we're going to need them [the fans] on this ride and it means a lot to us to know that they have our back through it all,” Joshua said.
In his post-skate media availability, Head Coach Rick Tocchet put the ask out to fans to “be loud” tonight and he was taken aback by the passion of the Vancouver fanbase.
“It was pretty impressive how loud that the fans were. Even when we were down 2-1 they didn't waver, it was really good to see,” Tocchet said.
It was a soundbite heard repeatedly in the post-game scrum and media availability that even when they were down they never panicked, and they stayed calm and composed.
“I think we just stayed patient the entire game and didn't really push too hard or give anything up when we were down going into the third. We got our looks and we knew we were going to get some looks. Then obviously for Dak, Garly and Lindy get on the forecheck there and 12 seconds after, get us on the board and get us the lead, it was massive,” Hughes said.
Tocchet mentioned one of the keys to the game for the Canucks was the penalty kill that was 3-for-4 on the night and their forecheck got better as the game progressed.
“I think Nashville did a hell of a job of breaking the puck out on us [early in the game when] we were late and then we adjusted after the second and I think the Garland goal was a testament of the guys listening after the second period,” Tocchet said.
The game was every bit as physical as expected, the Canucks landing 39 hits to Nashville’s 32.
Thatcher Demko turned aside 20 of 22 shots he faced.
Insider Extra
We caught up with our newest addition to the content team, former Canuck Chris Higgins.
Chris gave his thoughts on what the players were speaking about in the postgame media scrums. What caught his ear was how often the players mentioned maturity in their game.
“They created pressure when they had to, they didn’t have to go looking for it," said Higgins. “They met pressure with pressure and really stayed to playing their game. They stayed on their toes all game long.”
Regarding adjustments after a win, Higgins has played in seven series where his team won game one. He agreed with Tocchet that the Canucks did need to get in on the forecheck a bit more.
“As the game went on, the defencemen were more aggressive on the wall and that supported the forecheck," said Higgins. “Good reloads allowed that to happen and as the game went on, they had more pressure from the second forechecking forward. They did an excellent job scooping up the puck and that is exactly what you saw on Joshua’s first goal. Two guys got in there and then the third guy was in that advantageous offensive and defensive position at the same time.”
In terms of the atmosphere inside of Rogers Arena, Higgins said the feeling in the rink brought him back to his playing days.
“You see 20,000 people waving towels and, I mean, it feels like you have a supernova in your chest. You just want to go out and run guys through the boards,” said Higgins with a laugh. “I remember game one of our Chicago series. I mean, I wanted to just be a heat-seeking missile. You’re almost just trying to get all that emotion out of you.”
We will have more from Higgins as the playoffs continue.
Let us know in the comments or replies on social media if you enjoyed his addition to the postgame report.
Game Summary
In the first, Jason Zucker got the Preds on the board, finding the back of the net from the right faceoff circle, giving Nashville a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The Canucks came out in the second with a goal from Elias Lindholm coming through the slot and beating Juuse Saros stick side.
