Botchford says Canucks defensive posture by design

Sure, goals are important, they just aren’t the most important thing to the Vancouver Canucks.

Not any more.

Take life since the trade deadline. If you’re looking for turning points in the Canucks season, you’d be in tough to find one more obvious than Feb. 27.

Since, the Canucks have averaged 2.08 goals per game. That’s not great. In fact, it is the third-lowest in the NHL, ahead of only Minnesota and San Jose.  More…

Shacks’ Take: Canuck fans should take note of what the Canucks are saying in this article.  The Canucks are making sure their defensive house is in order prior to the playoffs.

The Canucks are trying to prevent their goalies
from having to make saves like these.

If you paid attention to the Canucks since January their defensive game was terrible but they were winning regardless.  What disturbed me most over the two and a half months after Christmas was how Vancouver was giving away 2 on 1 and 3 on 2’s like they were lollipops at the dentist office.  No rush kids, plenty for everyone. 

Now the Canucks aren’t generating chances like they once did but their defense is rock solid.  If you don’t focus on the shots on goal and look at quality chances, Vancouver is playing so much better team defense than before it’s not even close. 

Remember people; Vancouver still has no desperation to their game at this point.  They’re still more focused on reaching the playoffs healthy than anything else. The Canucks are playing completely desperate teams with little to no motivation and still winning because their goaltending is excellent and their team defense is strong.  I’m actually quite encouraged by these results not discouraged and I think you should be too.