Donnovan Bennett pumps us all up for what should be an absolute amazing Round 2 series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers are set to lock horns in an epic all-Canadian matchup.
VANCOUVER — Like most athletes, Elias Pettersson tries to focus on what comes next and avoid getting bogged down in the past. After his first-round playoff series against Nashville, the struggling Canucks star has even greater motivation to look forward.
The $92.8-million centre struggled mightily against the Predators, managing only three assists and eight shots on net during Vancouver’s six-game series win.
Facing Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in Round 2, the Canucks are trying to win another series without starting goalie Thatcher Demko. But they probably can’t win another one without Pettersson.
“I’m excited,” he told reporters Wednesday morning during a brief media scrum ahead of Game 1 at Rogers Arena (10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+). “I think we just wanted to do too much the first few games (against Nashville). But hopefully, that was the last question about the first round. I’m looking forward for the second round.”
So is Canucks coach Rick Tocchet, who was asked almost daily during the Nashville series about Pettersson’s quiet play.
Pettersson, who amassed 191 points the last two regular seasons, did not practise Tuesday due to illness but said he felt “good” heading into the opener.
“I think he’s fine,” Tocchet said at the start of his press conference. “I know some people are speculating we’re hiding an injury. He had illness; we don’t lie here. So for you guys that want to make it … he’s got a broken wrist or a broken back, he doesn’t. He’s just a little sick, so that’s it.
“He’s a big factor for us. Hopefully, you know, especially at home, we’ll get him in some good situations on the ice. So hopefully you can take advantage of it.”
It’s been a week of talk in Edmonton about how the regular-season series against the Vancouver Canucks means nothing. Then Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch, whose refreshing inability to mislead the media keeps us coming back, stepped up the microphones.
