Canucks HC Rick Tocchet pinpoints key factor in shutout loss to Predators

The Vancouver Canucks fell 3-0 to the Nashville Predators on Friday night at Rogers Arena, struggling to generate any offense in the shutout loss. Head coach Rick Tocchet highlighted the power play as a critical factor in the defeat.

The Canucks went 0-for-3 on the power play, failing to register a shot on two of their third-period chances with the extra skater.

"Yeah, I think, honestly, their goalie was, you know, he was really good tonight, lots of chances, yeah, we were pretty aggressive. I think it was 50 hits like that. Just couldn't get that big Mo, you know, big goal," Tocchet said after the game.

"You know, I thought would have liked to see a better six on five, some decision making, but, yeah, power play. You need those moments. But, you know, missing some key guys in those moments."

Steven Stamkos scored on a 3-on-2 rush from a pass by Jonathan Marchessault in the second period for Nasville. The Predators then added two empty-net goals late in the game, courtesy of Gustav Nyquist and Colton Sissons, to secure a 3-0 victory.

Predators’ goaltender Juuse Saros stopped all 27 shots, while Canucks’ Kevin Lankinen made 16 saves in the losing effort.

Canucks struggle on offense amid absence of key players

The Vancouver Canucks are struggling to generate offense in the absence of several key players due to injury. Star center Elias Pettersson is on Injured Reserve, while defensemen Quinn Hughes (undisclosed) and Filip Hronek (lower-body) are also sidelined, leaving a major void in the Canucks' attack.

"They're three of our more highly-skilled players (who are injured). So I think with who we have right now, obviously we have to do a little more as a group," said J.T. Miller (per Sportsnet).

Brock Boeser echoed those sentiments, saying:

"It hurts missing those guys. We knew it was going to be hard without those guys.Quinn's our best player and anytime you're missing your best player, you've got to find ways to contribute more and get other guys to step up."

Coach Rick Tocchet revealed that Pettersson and Hughes will be included in the roster for the five-game road trip. However, it is still uncertain whether they will play.

The Canucks' next game is against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.