Canucks vs. Oilers: Vasily Podkolzin is a moose, a bull and now a playoff wild card
'If he plays predictable hockey, he'll be good. If he knows exactly where the puck is going, that's where the moose comes in.' — Tocchet on Podkolzin.
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Vasily Podkolzin has been called a lot of things.
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Canucks vs. Oilers: Vasily Podkolzin is a moose, a bull and now a playoff wild card Back to video
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And now he’s calling him a playoff wild card.
While the Vancouver Canucks head coach did the expected Thursday morning — moving struggling centre Elias Pettersson to right wing to align with Elias Lindholm and Nils Hoglander, and reunited centre Teddy Blueger with Dakota Joshua and Conor Garland — he made another move. Podkolzin got the call to make his NHL playoff debut with Nils Aman and Phil DiGiuseppe for Game 5 at Rogers Arena. In a testosterone-charged, second-round playoff series with the high-octane Edmonton Oilers. And Tocchet knows he needs more. Much more.
The Canucks must maintain puck control and generate shots if they expect to advance to the Western Conference final. Podkolzin isn’t the answer, but he can be a part of the puzzle. And he was in a 3-2 victory Thursday that gave the Canucks a 3-2 series lead.
His line had a strong forechecking presence. Phil DiGIuseppe scored once and could have had another goal.
“That fourth line really helped us,” Tocchet said in his post-game address.
“If he plays predictable hockey, he’ll be good,” said Tocchet. “If he knows exactly where the puck is going, that’s where the moose comes in. If he’s waiting to go, he’s standing around. And he’ll be late everywhere.
“He needs to be aggressive and not read the play after it happens.”
The Canucks were at an NHL historic low through 10 playoff games.
With just 203 shots, they set a sorry standard to eclipse the 1999 Pittsburgh Penguins (207), 2002 Montreal Canadiens (223) and 2000 San Jose Sharks (227). It’s why Tocchet brought out the blender and why Podkolzin, 22, is getting a look.
He had 28 points (15-13) in 44 AHL games in Abbotsford this season and appeared in three playoff games. The 10th overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft started strong with 26 points (14-12) in 79 rookie-season games and then hit a sophomore slump.
Podkolzin’s 35 points (18-17) in 137 career NHL games is both encouraging and disappointing. It’s why Thursday meant so much because he had to grow up. He’s a husband and father and he’s playing for more than himself.
“It’s a great opportunity for me,” said Podkolzin. “I can bring energy, make some hits and shots and try to create some moments for my teammates. Try to be useful.
“This is pretty awesome. It’s my third year here and my first playoff game is a big point for me and my family. So many guys have helped me get to this point. It was tough for us in Abbotsford for the playoffs because we had a young team, but we’re better for the experience.”
That’s what Tocchet hopes will become of shuffling his deck and especially with Pettersson.
“Being at home, you can throw a couple of different looks,” reasoned the bench boss. “Puck possession and a forecheck will help us. There are plays to be made and we have to be more aggressive.”
It’s why ineffective wingers Ilya Mikheyev and Sam Laffertry sat Thursday — they weren’t the answer to complement Pettersson. They had their issues finding the net and Mikheyev has one goal in his last 60 games.Tocchet had to find the right chemistry to hopefully
bring out the best in Pettersson. He has but four points (1-3) in 10 post-season games and just 15 shots. His shooting percentage is an abysmal 6.7 per cent.
“I like the hybrid thing,” said Tocchet. “They (Pettersson/Lindholm) can switch. For me with Petey, it’s just landmarks. Get to them quick to move your feet. He knows it. And I get that he wants the puck.
“But now, he’s at a point where what happens when nobody gives it to him? He’s standing still. But he’s energized and I’ve got help the kid, too.”
Familiarity with Hoglander might help.
They’ve been linemates and are good friends. And if Hoglander can play hard and direct, and not take penalties, he might bring a missing element and make something happen. But his energy level must remain high.
“He has energy, but I found when the playoffs started, instead of taking the puck to the net he was pulling up,” said Tocchet, who sat the bowling-ball Swede in Game 3 and Game 4. “And when he gets it in the neutral zone, he’s looking to pass.
“If gets the puck, he’s got to skate with it and just go.”
Hoglander, 23, had a strong regular season with a career-high 24 goals and 36 points.
“I have to win my battles and be pretty good on the walls,” said Hoglander. “It’s not good to take a penalty, but you’ve still got to play hard. There are a lot of stick penalties and I’ve got to be ready for that.”
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