The Ducks have sixth place in the rankings and a group of impressive young forwards.
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That was Elias Pettersson’s response on Tuesday as he recalled the last time the Vancouver Canucks had seven straight wins with a win on January 4, 2020 at Rogers Arena.
It was a special Hockey Night In Canada. Tyler Myers received a pass from Bo Horvat at the point, and he launched a shot through traffic and outscored goalkeeper blocker Alexandar Georgiev with 1:29 remaining in regulation time for a 2-1 decision over the New York Rangers.
Jacob Markstrom made 36 saves for his sixth straight victory and it was the first time the Canucks won seven in a row from December 1-13, 2013.
What does all of this mean on Wednesday as the Canucks look to extend their streak to seven games in Anaheim with new coach Bruce Boudreau? A lot, if they approach it in the right way. Not much if they don’t. The Ducks have sixth place in the rankings and a group of impressive young forwards.
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The Ducks outscored the Canucks 5-1 on November 14 and won 3-2 in overtime on November 9.
“Everyone is needed and everyone has to contribute and do their job,” Pettersson warned after a practice Tuesday. “When everyone is going in one direction, we are a good team and difficult to beat. But we have to understand that it is not easy. It comes with hard work. “
JT Miller is often the strong voice of reason and knows that a 12-day break from games will test the mettle to push early and not be left behind against the high-octane ducks.
“It’s going to be difficult,” he predicted. “You really don’t have the momentum with rest anymore. We have to make sure we don’t dip our toe in the water to feel the game. If we do that against a good team like Anaheim, we will go after them.
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“We have to make sure that we are dictating the play from the beginning and once that happens, hopefully they will defend more. They are difficult to stop once they are started. The first part of the game is going to be great ”.
SWEDISH SCHOOL IN SESSION
Pettersson and Nils Hoglander stayed up late after practice to work on their craft.
For Hoglander, getting advice from his compatriot is vital in helping him learn total team play and how to shoot a more dangerous and accurate shot. And for a guy already using speed and creativity to find open ice, another weapon in Hoglander’s arsenal will allow the winger to take advantage of his seven goals in 31 games.
“Defense is easier to learn and in some parts of the game it may need to improve, but it is doing a lot of good and small things,” Pettersson said. “You will learn quickly.
“I’m also trying to talk about how I got a single good time, balance and not trying to do too much, and I was able to get very technical. It’s just little things that I see. “
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