Vancouver Canucks gets a taste of its own medicine from Nashville Predators, shut down by 3-0 at home
There is no doubt that Vancouver has been one of the greatest, if not the greatest team, this season. But as they say, the bigger it is the harder it falls. This saying came true in Canucks’ case as it fell down hard against Nashville Predators in its own
home stadium, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, by 3-0.
It was the first ever shutout Vancouver experienced at home all season and Nashville’s Pekka Rinne had the honours of doing it, making a perfect 29 saves.
Canucks has become a predictable team and that is something that can be very dangerous for it in the upcoming days, especially as the NHL nears the playoffs.
Blake Geoffrion, Patric Hornqvist, David Legwand and Pekka Rinne, who made this his fifth shutout of the season, demonstrated that being the best team doesn’t always secure victory, strategy and team chemistry are also a major factor.
The first 40 minutes brought intense competition from both teams as none was able to score, having varying opportunities at the net. Both, Rinne and Roberto Luongo, blocked an equal 17 shots in the first two periods, resulting in a high expectation filled
third period.
Come third period, the plus 18,000 crowd witnessed Nashville Predators come out from within, scoring all three at key moments to win the match.
The fourth generation Geoffrion has been having a great week, scoring his second NHL career goal in the opening 2 minutes from the back of the net through a pass by Jordin Tootoo, his first being in the previous Edmonton match which they lost 1-2 in a shootout.
Hornqvist wrapped the puck from Dan Hamhuis out of his own end, and fired it through Luongo, contributing his 18th of the season.
It was a great moment to flash back for Geoffrion, as his father, Danny Geoffrion, scored his last goal here nearly 30 years ago.
With 2 minutes left to go, Vancouver hadn’t had a single goal yet, it was desperation time for them.
Legwand wouldn’t let Luongo reject him again, getting an empty netter at 19:25 to fully secure the match.
It was a major victory for Nashville Predators, moving up from below the playoff’s line a few days ago to the 6th place, tied with Calgary, who they face on Sunday.
It will be Nashville’s third game on the road out of four, then returning home to host a relaxing 9 games.
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