The Vancouver Canucks won their first two games of the season before getting back on track Tuesday night, and their success could continue if forward Elias Pettersson keeps up the pace.
During the home-and-away series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday and Saturday, the Swede collected a goal and five assists, helping his team to victories 8-1 at home and 4-3 in Alberta. The 24-year-old hockey player is already on track for another season of 100 or more points; he had 102 last season.
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However, in addition to the offensive performance, there is also physical commitment and defensive play. In the last meeting, Pettersson had a few minutes of equally strong confrontations with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, when he was on the ice, the Canucks dominated total shots at five-on-five, going 7-3, and also scored three goals to zero.
“We talk a lot every evening about the details that need to be taken into account. Everyone will do their job and when they do it, good things happen. I think we started very well, but the difficult thing is to keep going and not be satisfied with it,” he told the media on Monday, on the eve of the game against the Flyers in Philadelphia.
“I got stronger and a little heavier,” the author also mentioned tough body checks against Cody Ceci and Draisaitl in previous games. This makes it easier for me to win battles and make better use of my body. […] I feel like I can protect the puck better and win more faceoffs. I don’t let myself be pushed away so easily anymore. I’m still falling a little, but I feel more confident and stronger. I don’t think I’ve done as good a job at protecting the disc, except that since I’m stronger, I’m in a better position to do so.
Follow in the footsteps of the best
According to head coach Rick Tocchet, the 6-foot-2 player is learning well enough to remain an elite skater in the National League for many years.
“I think he understands what it takes to win,” said the coach, as reported by Sportsnet. You know, the Sidney Crosbys of the world, the Steve Yzermans and Joe Sakic of yore, those guys scored their share of points, but they played 200 feet. They played situational hockey and I think he knows it. He’s not cheating our system.”
The situation is similar with defender Ian Cole, who is playing his first season in Vancouver.
“As an opponent, a lot of little things that players do go unnoticed. You notice the big things: the threat of a one-timer on the power play, the element of surprise, the skills, the quality of the shot, the passes. “You can see that, but you don’t notice everything he does when you’re on the other side,” he said. When you are in his club, you see him attacking rivals, winning puck battles, retreating and trapping opponents. […] He’s a great leader for our team.”