The big story going into this game: the big prospect going into this game, as 6'7" defenceman Nikita Tryamkin was tapped to make his NHL debut. We've talked a lot about Tryamkin over the last week, as has everyone else, and there's no shame in that: what else are we going to talk about? A Canucks' win streak? Yeah, we'll stick to overhyping the new kid.
Was Tryamkin overhyped? Oh, most definitely. But only because Vancouverites overhype prospects recreationally. And not subconsciously, either. We know what we're doing. It's why Rogers Arena erupted in cheers when Tryamkin stepped over the boards for his first shift (and I do mean stepped, as those long legs would allow him to keep pace in Pink Floyd's hammer march), and then erupted in knowing laughter when he did a twirl and returned to the bench after a dozen seconds. Real community moment, that. For those twelve seconds alone, I'm glad I watched this game.
- Okay, so Tryamkin isn't a Norris contender just yet. But with the assist he picked up on the Canucks' lone goal, it's worth noting that he already has more points this season than Nicklas Lidstrom and Bobby Orr combined, so look out, because I smell a game-changer. But speaking of game-changing, Tryamkin will probably have to make a few adjustments to his game if he wants to stick in the NHL. He looked surprised by the speed of the game, at times, and it and to my eyes, because he got caught flat-footed more than once, he relied a little too heavily on his poke-check. Granted, when you have the wingspan of an albatross, trusting the pokecheck isn't the worst thing in the world. But if Tryamkin can get to the spot a little faster, defenders will also have to deal with his gigantic body, and that'll probably suck for them.
- But enough about Tryamkin's defensive game. Let's talk about offence, since he provided some. The blueliner picked up his first NHL point on Henrik Sedin's tally, (the night's Most Poetic Goal™, clearly), earning the second assist with a blast from the point that produced a rebound so big juicy, a young boy and seven giant insects flew it to New York City. Henrik was first on the puck, and of course he passed to his brother, but after Daniel's initial shot was stopped as well, the captain made like another famous Henrik and finished the play.
- You had to feel for poor Alex Grenier the other night, as the winger's big tryout with the Canucks came in his fourth game in four nights. He looked exhausted and ineffective and it didn't seem fair. So it was nice of the team to make it up to him this evening with a look on the top line with the Sedins. Unsurprisingly, Grenier looked better. The Sedins have that beautifying effect. They're like hockey Manolos.
- Brendan Gaunce played tonight as well, apparently.
- The Sedins weren't the best line tonight, though. That award goes to the trio of Linden Vey, Sven Baertschi, and Emerson Etem, who spent the majority of their evening cycling the puck in the Colorado zone. They had numerous scoring chances, Etem especially. The winger was on the ice for 23 Vancouver shot attempts, nine of which were his. Honestly, if he had any finish whatsover, he could have had a hat trick tonight. Here's hoping he works on his release in the offseason, because right now, Etem has all kinds of speed, strength and offensive awareness, but about as much finish as The Life of Pablo.
- Vey wasn't perfect either. His defensive work on the Avs' third goal needed a whole lot more defence, as he allowed Andreas Martinsen to walk right to the net unimpeded and beat Ryan Miller on the short side. Granted, Miller should have had it too -- he didn't trust Tryamkin to stop Martinsen coming across, and he left a sliver of space when he should have been tight to the post. This is a teachable moment. You can address both issues by having Miller hug Tryamkin the way he should have hugged the post.
- Bo Horvat really wanted to score a goal tonight. The centre had a game-high 11 shot attempts and 7 shots on goal, which is doubly impressive since he started 70% of his shifts in the defensive zone. Unfortunately, Semyon Varlamov had his number. It's 53.
- Speaking of numbers, I saw some people griping about Tryamkin wearing 88. What's the deal with that? The low numbers thing will always be the most inexplicable part of hockey culture.
- Finally, the Canucks are young all of a sudden. Here's how young: Iain MacIntyre pointed out that Ben "61 NHL games" Hutton is practically an elder statesman on this roster. Six of Hutton's teammates tonight had less pro experience. Because when you think Ben Hutton, you think grizzled vet. That's just what a season like this does to a person, though: it ages you in a hurry. It's like being President.
