When the Canucks secured the 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, fans noticed something a little different when the Vancouver took the ice for their first powerplay.
The usual faces of Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson set up for their man advantage, but it was quickly observed that their best forward, J.T. Miller was no where to be seen.
Head coach Rick Tocchet decided that it was best that Miller should take reps on the second powerplay.
All fans know that Miller and Pettersson are not close and butt heads, but is that the reason for the separation?
Our guess, is that it has nothing to do with drama at all, but with the way the team has performed with a man advantage when Miller was off on his leave of absence
Even Head coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged that fact, and when Miller returned, it seemed that the PP has not clicked like it did, which was especially apparent in their loss to the Boston Bruins.
«We went rogue a little bit What happens with that unit when things don't go our way? We start becoming individuals. It happened last year,» said Tocchet following the 5-1 shellacking.
The Canucks converted on 25.8% of their power plays while Miller was away from the team, a few points better than the 23.3% mark they have for the whole season.
For all those who are speculating that the drama between Miller and Pettersson is the reason, are completely out to lunch.
POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 18 | 498 ANSWERS The J.T. Miller & Elias Pettersson Drama Continues for the Vancouver Canucks Do you think the drama Between J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson is the reason for Miller being kept off the first Powerplay? | ||
Yes | 286 | 57.4 % |
No | 212 | 42.6 % |
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