Nobody went after Kings winger Trevor Moore for his targeted hit that could have injured Hughes. It wasn’t a good look
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You can’t hit what you can’t catch.
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That axiom applies to anybody attempting to line up smart and speedy NHL players in the competitive crosshairs to deliver a crunching check, whether legal or illegal.
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Or maybe, to send a message as the testosterone-charged Stanley Cup playoffs near.
Today’s dominant fleet-footed magicians like Quinn Hughes, a generational genius and strong Norris Trophy candidate, are acutely aware of their surroundings.
The Vancouver Canucks captain is simply too quick to angle off and attack at pace. He’s too nimble with quick pivots and sublime edge work when triggering the transition.
However, like any other player, he’s vulnerable along the sideboards or end boards in his own zone when trying to rim the puck.
That’s what occurred Saturday night in Los Angeles.
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On a routine zone-exit play late in the third period, Hughes was in the corner boards and backhanded the puck up the wall to a waiting Elias Pettersson. This meant his back was to the play and the puck was gone when Kings winger Trevor Moore drove him hard from behind.
A video replay showed a whiplash reaction when Hughes was struck. The only reason his head didn’t hit the Plexiglas, and possibly cause a concussion, was because he pivoted slightly and his arm took the brunt of the blow.
Hughes tumbled to the ice and then slowly returned to the bench.
And that’s where it got disturbing on several levels.
Moore was only assessed a two-minute minor penalty for boarding at 15:28 when the targeted hit clearly called for a five-minute major.
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It did allow the Canucks, who were pressing, to go on the power play after Teddy Blueger scored short-handed to make it 5-3. However, Adrian Kempe then responded with short-handed goal.
With a three-goal deficit, the game was out of reach. However, Moore did have one more late-game shift and nobody took issue with his hit on Hughes.
Nobody went after him with a big hit or challenged him to a fight. It wasn’t a good look. That was your captain and arguably your MVP who got crunched and avoided injury.
Canucks winger Sam Lafferty was on the ice and should have done something. Anything. He has fought a dozen times in his NHL career. Take something good from that bad night in La-La Land.
Imagine if the Canucks headed to the post-season for the first time in four years without Hughes? He leads all defencemen in scoring. He’s a leader on the ice and in the room and is having yet another career season.
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Hughes has avoided major injury. He has had bumps and bruises and it took an illness and COVID-19 to send him to the sidelines. He’s that durable.
Here’s what awaits the Canucks this week:
Canucks vs Golden Knights
When and where: Monday 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena
TV: SN Pacific | Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Beware the wounded beast
The Golden Knights were on a 6-0-1 run before facing the Coyotes on Friday in Arizona. They showed up for part of the game and lost a 7-4 track meet. Vegas blew a three-goal lead and surrendered six-straight goals. The Golden Knights are 2-1-0 against the Canucks this season with an 11-7 goal advantage.
Who to watch: Does Arturs Silovs get net?
Veteran backup stopper Casey DeSmith didn’t have the best outing Saturday. Screens, deflections and poor defending didn’t help. Prospect Silovs could be a good curveball to toss at Vegas. He’s been calm, steady and sharp after emergency recall. He’s 2-0-0 with 1.50 GAA. and .930 saves percentage.
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Canucks vs Coyotes
When and where: Wednesday 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Apply those lessons learned
The Coyotes have bite and bark. The Canucks had a 23-7 shot advantage through two periods Wednesday in Arizona, but needed late-game heroics from former Coyotes winger Conor Garland to eke out a 2-1 victory. He scored with 1:51 remaining in regulation and Silovs made 20 saves for the win.
Who to watch: Winger Conor Garland
In final game of a disappointing 2022-23 season, the mighty mite had the winner and his first career hat trick in at 5-4 overtime victory in Arizona. This season, he has a dozen points (5-7) in his last 15 games and has 16 goals through 77 games.
Canucks vs Oilers
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When and where: Saturday 7 p.m. | Rogers Place
TV: Hockey Night in Canada. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: It could be one epic showdown
The Canucks are three points up on the Oilers atop the Pacific Division, but it’s actually four points because they hold the season series tiebreaker. The Oilers do have a game in hand and host the Golden Knights on Wednesday and the Coyotes on Friday.
Who to watch: Winger Brock Boeser
Remember opening night? Boeser scored four goals for the first time in his career during an 8-1 romp of the Oilers. It would be the catalyst to propel the winger to 13 goals in his first 16 games. He now has a career-high 39 goals. His previous was 29 as a rookie in 2017-18.
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