Canucks Quick Hits: DeBrusk, Pettersson & Special Teams
It’s been a bruising few weeks for the Vancouver Canucks. Injuries have piled up, the goaltending picture has thinned, and the team’s confidence has taken a few hits along the way. Still, this group hasn’t lost its fight — and with 12 games ahead in the next three weeks, every small improvement matters. Here are three quick hits from the latest Canucks talk: the crease crisis, Elias Pettersson’s puzzling hesitation, and a penalty kill that’s become a serious liability.
Quick Hit 1. Jake DeBrusk Finding His Groove on the Power Play
Jake DeBrusk is starting to look like the player Vancouver hoped to get. He’s scored in three straight games and four of his last five, with three of those tallies coming on the power play. That top-unit role is paying off — his quick release and net-front timing have made him a real factor with the man advantage.
At even strength, DeBrusk’s production remains limited in a third-line role, but the underlying effort is there. He’s firing plenty of pucks (53 shots in 18 games) and bringing energy with 15 hits. If he keeps converting on the power play, the Canucks might finally have found the middle-six finisher they’ve been searching for since the summer.
Quick Hit 2. Elias Pettersson Has to Start Shooting the Puck Again
Elias Pettersson’s game has turned cautious — too cautious. Once known for quick releases and ten-shot nights, he’s passing up looks, trying to play the perfect setup. His point pace is slipping toward the 60s, far below the 80-plus production the Canucks need from their top center. Pettersson’s defensive game is solid, even gritty at times, but the team can’t afford a $11.6-million shutdown forward. He needs to rediscover his old rhythm: see the lane, trust the shot, and fire away.
Quick Hit 3. The Canucks Have a Problem with Their Penalty Kill
Vancouver’s penalty kill ranks dead last at 66.7%. That’s not a typo — one of every three power plays against ends in a goal. Some of the issue is personnel (missing Teddy Blueger hurts), but much of it comes down to positioning and puck clears. Last season’s kill, run under Adam Foote, was top ten. This year’s group is too aggressive and too loose. Until that’s fixed, the Canucks will struggle to string wins together.
The Bottom Line: The Canucks Are Still Searching for Stability
Every team faces adversity, but this stretch will test the Canucks’ depth and resolve. Keep DeBrusk healthy, get Pettersson shooting, and get that penalty kill sorted — or the season could start to slip away faster than anyone expected.