This game was a birds-eye view of the 2016-17 Vancouver Canucks season in a nutshell. Why? Because it showed what the Canucks are capable of when they work to their potential.
Trouble is, they’re still missing a few important elements in terms of depth. Perhaps Brock Boeser, Ollie Juolevi and a healthy Erik Gudbransen will alleviate that stinging issue next season.
Here are five thoughts about the game.
1. Tavares has an impact — albeit less than 2010
In 2010, then-rookie John Tavares first rolled into Vancouver and proceeded to score five points in an Islanders win (Tavares was in on all five Islander goals), breaking the Canucks’ then-seven-game home unbeaten streak.