Canucks’ Lindholm and Zadorov Prove Their Worth in Playoffs – Hockey Writers – Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have delighted their fans with drama so far in the 2024 Playoffs. They should be called the “Comeback Canucks” at this point given their tendency to dig deep and never give up despite being beaten by multiple goals. They did it in the first round against the Nashville Predators in Game 4, shocking the crowd at Bridgestone Arena scoring two goals in less than two minutes and winning in overtime on Elias Lindholm’s goal. Then, in some exciting hockey, Conor Garland provided drama in Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers with his cheeky game-winner in which he slapped Stuart Skinner and published the five-hole. That goal completed the comeback after Lindholm, JT Miller and Nikita Zadorov hit three unanswered goals to tie the game at four.
What do those two returns have in common? Zadorov and Lindholm helped open or end it. In other words, general manager Patrik Allvin’s two big acquisitions this season are bringing immediate benefits to the playoffs and helping push the Canucks to the second round and three wins away from the Western Conference Final.
“Big Z” Delivers the Goods in the Playoffs
Zadorov has lived up to his “Big Z” nickname so far in these tournaments. He threw every inch of his 6-foot-7 frame at the opposing team for 25 hits again has three goals and five points in seven games. We all expected the former, I don’t think anyone expected the latter. He’s been the Canucks’ best defenseman — yes, better than Quinn Hughes — and a big reason the Canucks have a series win under their belt and a 1-0 lead against the Oilers.
Related: 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Hub
Zadorov was a monster in the first round with two goals – and almost the series winner in Game 5 – skating miles with Ian Cole. He’s averaged 20 minutes of ice time so far and has given everything (and more) fans and Allvin expected when he was acquired in November except for a few options later. He didn’t take long to make his presence felt in the second round against the Oilers, tying the game at 4 with a rocket from the blue line and started running with a long pass to Dakota Joshua, who found Garland in the end. the winning goal.
Big Z’s performance in the playoffs should also earn him a big payday in free agency, but that’s a discussion for another day. Right now, he’s making hay on the scoreboard and giving Canucks fans reason to believe that 2024 could be the year the Stanley Cup returns to Canada.
Lindholm Destroys Regular Season and Catches Fire in Playoffs
I think it’s safe to say that everyone forgot how weak Lindholm was in the regular season. Since returning against the Arizona Coyotes on April 10, he has been a force on the score sheet, posting four goals and eight points in 11 games — including three goals and five points in the playoffs. He replaced Elias Pettersson on the depth chart and elevated the so-called “third line” to second line status with his combination of two-way play, faceoff toughness (52.6 percent in the playoffs), and scoring. Basically, like Zadorov, he was everything the Canucks hoped he would be when they acquired him from the Flames in a blockbuster deal before the trade deadline.
That hasn’t been the case for most of Lindholm’s tenure as fans and analysts alike have been calling the deal a win for the Flames and a huge loss for the Canucks. Starting on the wing with Pettersson, the hope was that the two Swedes would lift each other up and give head coach Rick Tocchet another shot alongside Miller and Boeser and Joshua and Garland. But that didn’t happen, and Lindholm was tied up at center and wing for several lines as Tocchet tried to find the right fit for his new weapon.
It wasn’t until Tocchet finally matched Lindholm between Garland and Joshua that his match took off. It’s like he’s reunited with Johnny Gaudreau (Gaudreau) (Garland) and Matthew Tkachuk (Joshua). They developed instant chemistry and have already provided Canucks fans with highlight-reel moments, the highlight being Lindholm’s dunk in overtime following great work by Joshua on the boards and a patent back spin from Garland. The latter, however, was Joshua’s full-on Garland takedown in the neutral zone in Game 1 that eventually led to the game-winning goal. The bottom line is, Lindholm looks more like the man who scored 42 goals and was selected for the Selke Trophy in 2021-22 than the one who struggled after Gaudreau and Tkachuk left in free agency and trade, respectively.
Hopefully, the Canucks can find a way to re-sign both Lindholm and Joshua to reasonable deals or Garland will suffer Lindholm’s fate and lose all of his teammates in one season. But again, that’s a discussion for another day. For now, fans should enjoy the sunshine that is this lineup and hope they can do what the Tampa Bay Lightning trio of Barclay Goodrow, Yanni Gourde and Blake Coleman did in 2020 and 2021 and lead their team to the Stanley Cup.
Allvin & Rutherford’s In-Season Walk Pays Off Big Time
I’m sure Allvin and Jim Rutherford are excited to see their merchandise play in the playoffs – even if they don’t show the least bit of excitement in the press box. They added Zadorov and Lindholm to move the needle, and they’re doing that right now. Hey, they don’t just remove the needle, they blow it off the wire. From incredible game-tying goals to big hits and overtime heroics, they make it fun to be a Canucks fan.
What do they have in store for Game 2? Find out later tonight as Rogers Arena prepares to rock another (hopefully) amazing and exciting tour.
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