THE ROUNDUP- Nov 16/18: Thud.

CANUCKS NEWS: The stark reality of the true nature of this Canucks team was laid out for all to see on this road trip. And save for that emotional game in Boston (aren’t they all?), it showed us a team with flaws we all knew existed, but had been glossed over as Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat willed this team to a pretty decent start. Minus Boeser and with Horvat tasked to fill Brandon Sutter’s defensive shoes and his own responsibilities, we’re left with a team that’s easy to play against, easy to score against, and easy to win against.

The goaltending situation is concerning, to say the least. And this isn’t to dump on Richard Bachman, because holy crap that was a text book definition of a goaltender not getting any help last night. What the Canucks have is two goalies who can’t string together more than a couple games of solid play. No clear number one. No confidence that on nights where the scoring isn’t there, your goalie can steal a game for you. And doubts about the future, when Thatcher Demko was supposed to be the next big thing.

Yes, the injuries and this batshit crazy schedule are factors here, big ones. But at this point, it’s really difficult to see whether or not this wouldn’t be happening anyway.

nhl.com

This is where the Canucks sit at the moment. Arizona and the Oilers both with 3 games in hand, and 3 points back. Think that remains by the end of next week?

Here’s your morning reading... The Athletties breaking down the breakdown, some great stuff in there on the goaltending issue and Olli Juolevi (I had the title of this article in my head before the game even finished last night, nice to see I wasn’t the only one hearing that sound)... JPat’s 5 takeaways from last night’s debacle... Post-gamer from our pals at Hockey Wilderness... And over at Canucks Army... PITB breaks it down... IMac on Bachman’s nightmare start... The Province post-game wrap...

AROUND THE NHL: The Islanders picked up where they left off Tuesday with a 7-5 win over their crosstown rivals the New York Rangers. Anthony Beauvillier had a hat trick for the Isles, who have beaten the Rangers 8 straight times...

Speaking of hat tricks, Brayden Point’s natural hat trick in 91 seconds was the difference in a 4-3 Tampa Bay win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins are now in last place in the East and not gonna lie, the thought of that team getting the #1 pick in the 2019 Draft is as nauseating as it going to the Oilers...

Joey Anderson’s 1st NHL goal was the game winner as the New Jersey Devils rode a 29 save Keith Kincaid shutout to a 3-0 win over Philadelphia...

The Canucks weren’t the only team that got lit up last night, as Columbus notched 7 in a 7-3 stomping of the Florida Panthers. This game was tied 3-3 heading into the 3rd period. Ouch...

No Curly Fries in Detroit tonight as the Ottawa Senators Craig Anderson stopped 2 penalty shots en route to a 2-1 win over the Red Wings. Rookie Drake Batherson’s goal in his first NHL game was the winner in this one...

After getting embarrassed in Edmonton, the Montreal Canadiens responded in a 3-2 win in Calgary. Matthew Tkachuk’s two goals had given the Flames the lead, but goals from Jonathan Drouin and Artturi Lehkonen sealed the deal. Carey Price was outstanding, stopping 43 of 45 shots...

Those dang Arizona Coyotes did it again, this time knocking off the Nashville Predators 2-1. The Coyotes scored their 10th (!!!) short-handed goal of the season in this one, and Darcy Kuemper had 44 saves for the victory over the banged up Preds...

The Leafs have won 5 of their last 6, this time a 5-3 win in San Jose. Kasperi Kapanen scored twice for Toronto, and Frederik Andersen stopped 41 Sharks shots...