BIGGEST COINCIDENCE

Elias Pettersson was freshly felled, resting on one knee.

His helmet crooked after just bouncing off the ice, his legs reloading for a breath or two after they were wobbled by a tackle ferocious enough that it would have been flagged in any NFL game.

The sequence was both obvious and haunting.

After being humiliated by EP, Mike Matheson chose to exact his revenge on a player who had been Vancouver’s own slice of heaven so far this season.

He chased down EP and rubbed him out. It was half hard hockey play and half WTF.

The Panthers talked openly about being physical on Pettersson. And that’s fine. It will happen increasingly. They tried. But they had missed him often.

They finally landed a hit. This one. And the hit was fine. It’s what happened next which will be hard for anyone in Vancouver to stomach.

Watch that gif and look at the goalie tracking the puck in front of him. The puck is that far away when EP is thrown to the ice.

Here we sit after the fifth game of the season, and everyone knows EP has just been victimized by this cheap shot early in a third period.

Roussel said it looked like something from the 1980s.

Green called it “a dirty play” and said his player was “body slammed.”

Baertschi compared it to something out of the WWE.

“Matheson is a strong guy. He pinned him. He could have just let him go. It was over. He could have left it. But he slammed him down,” Baertschi said.

“The way he fell makes it look terrible. It was WWE, right.”

Sure, WWE on ice.

The Canucks chose to play the rest of the game like it didn’t happen. Green would later say he was proud of his group and how they played.

Fair enough.

The fans, however, are furious in a way I haven’t seen in a long, long time.

I can appreciate their anger.

Part of it is seeing the best thing about the team get manhandled. And part of it has to do with some promises the Canucks made.

In building this team, the Canucks have talked often about creating a “safe working” environment. They rationalized spending on bottom-six forwards because they theorized it made them tougher, more resilient and more able to protect young, blossoming offensive stars.

They re-signed Guddy in part because he’s big, strong and willing to fight.

Their slogans for the season include “battle” and “relentless.”

In the teams’s in-house preseason pump-up video, there are five fights from last season shown. The indication is that this year would be somehow different.

To be fair, maybe it will be. But today in Sunrise, it was more of the same.

Green was asked if he told his team there was a time and a place for everything and tonight was not the moment for pushback.

“Yes, you have to keep your composure,” Green said. “It’s a 3-2 hockey game. There’s 12 minutes left.

“You’re talking about a guy who has had one fight in his career.

“I don’t think he’s known as a dirty hockey player.

“You’re in a hockey game. You don’t go chasing people around the rink. That’s not that way it is.

“I’m not going to talk about retribution.”

The Canucks chose to do nothing, but any suggestion all teams would have done the same is absurdly naive.

I guess Green looked up the Matheson fight stat after the game.

Yes, Matheson has been in one fight in his career. But you know how it happened?

He was defending Trocheck after a dirty hit executed by David Backes.

It was the first period late in the year. The Panthers were in a playoff race. Matheson didn’t even think twice about fighting for his teammate.

BEST PREDICTION

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Elias Petterson gets body slammed without the puck, not a hockey play at all. Head hits ice. Severe concussion, clearly. There will be no hearing, no suspension, after no penalty. @botchford @benkuzma@NHL @PR_NHL @Canucks @NHLPlayerSafety — littledreamer (@scratchgolf2013) October 14, 2018

Yes, and if it follows form, then this will happen and in four months another player will be body slammed and the guy who did it will be suspended for 20 games.

BIGGEST JUXTAPOSITION

It may be harder to take because Vancouver just saw Hamonic stand up for a rookie and fight Gudbranson as part of the code. If it’s comforting at all, and it won’t be, his jaw got messed up and Calgary took two blows for one cheap hit.

BEST ASSESSMENT

Dan Bos is a Vancouver area-based physiotherapist and one of the leading specialists in treating concussions.

He’s treated hockey players and has been thanked by those who say he saved their careers, including tonight’s starting goalie, James Reimer.

These were his thoughts on the play:

BEST SHOT/CHASER

SHOT:

Gudbranson on #Canucks passive response to Lewis hit on Boeser: 'I'm not the only guy that should do it on this team. I think there should have been a pushback. That's something that I bring & had I been on the ice there would have been something done a little differently' — Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) January 31, 2018

CHASER:

A few minutes after the Pettersson takedown, a scrum nearly broke out. This is just about as heated as it got.

It wasn’t that the Canucks didn’t avenge EP. It was that they didn’t show any jam.

Guddy has zero interest when a Panther gets into it with Beagle.

BIGGEST DUNK

Honestly, I could use some Sestito in my life right now.

Do I need to come out of retirement already — Tom Sestito (@TomSestito23) October 14, 2018

BEST RECEIPT

Oh snap.

More Benning re Gudbranson: “I don’t know if Elias Pettersson will be ready when he comes to training camp next year. But we want our young players to be able to play and develop without worrying about getting picked on. We need to have guys who will stand up for them.” — Iain MacIntyre (@imacSportsnet) January 31, 2018

BEST NEW REALITY

If the Canucks didn’t want to do anything tonight, they may want to revisit that response plan.

Teams are going to try to play EP physically.

The Panthers did tonight.

Panthers coach Bob Boughner is a very bright coach. He spends an immense amount of time watching video. And he knew a lot about EP leading into this game.

Boughner: “He’s a tough guy to contain. He’ll try and beat you. He’ll make it tough on our defencemen. He has a great release too. He shoots in stride.

“He played against men last year and that helped him huge. There’s not a lot of guys who can do what he can at full speed.

“They have themselves a great young player.

“He’s part of our pre-scout for sure. Trying to contain him means being hard on him and being physical when we can and stop his feet.”

The plan was a difficult one to execute.

Because EP is so damn good at avoiding contact.

But the one time he was caught all game, something awful happened.

BAERTSCHI: “He’s really slippery and he’s really strong on his skates.

“But anybody is vulnerable in that position. He’s being pushed up against the glass, so at the point you have no weight on your feet.

“If somebody pushes you then, you are going to fall down. It would have happened to anyone.

“There’s nothing he could have done.

“He’s shown plenty of times, he’s strong enough. He’s out there competing against the bigger D.

“That wasn’t it.”

BEST TEMPERATURE TAKING

This one of the most darkest days to be a #Canucks fan — Snoop (@snoopWORLDorder) October 14, 2018

BEST TWIST

Oh, I think you’re going to like this twist.

While recovering from a concussion, Roussel visited a treatment centre in Detroit, a place often recommended by the NHLPA.

There he went to a lab and underwent a series of tests for balance and mobility.

I asked what they recommended as a treatment when he left.

“Video games,” he said. “For real. They said it helps tracking with your head and your eyes.”

He obviously couldn’t play on the road.

Damn.

BEST TROLLING

You got all of Roussel tonight.

You saw a couple of penalties.

You saw a goal.

And you saw the best Canucks troll in a recent memory.

Trocheck scored and the Canucks weren’t thrilled with his celly.

When Roussel put it in, he did The Trocheck.

Well, that’s fun.

Roussel: “I thought he was pretty odd there today. Over animated. It’s nice to talk to those guys.

“He didn’t say anything to me but I’m sure he knows.”

BEST HOPE

Here’s hoping we see the dekes sometime soon.

Thing is, not too soon.

For the love of everything, make sure he’s healthy, totally recovered before he sees the ice.

The team is beyond dead without him.

BEST PREPARATION

I can already hear them in the league head office.

Didn't target the head, didn't slew foot him and didn't take more than two strides to finish the check. What was dirty? Being stronger? https://t.co/3uGLnY3SZQ — Shawn Matthias (@ShawnMatthias) October 14, 2018

BEST GLASS IS HALF FULL

And not to mention, for all you positive people @botchford : pic.twitter.com/HEI1yY97cl — Ｈ． Ｖｉｓｏｎａ (@hvisona) October 14, 2018

BEST REQUEST

Boucher truthers unite.

BEST DEVELOPMENT

Bring BFG home.

BEST PASS

That was a sweet one JV18 threaded to spring Roussel.

BEST SHOT

EP was so good again tonight. That shouldn’t be lost in this mess. This shot was mesmerizing.

BEST SUNSET

Say what you want about Luongo’s infamous 12-year contract, and I’m sure you’ve said plenty.

I know I have.

For one, I didn’t think we’d get here, celebrating Luongo’s 1000th game. Luongo said from jump he intended to play all 12 years. I never believed him.

I went back and checked receipts from 2009. I said Lu was unlikely to see more than eight years of this monster contract.

This is season gets him to year nine. Hand me the nearest “L.”

Back in the day, Gillis said goalies had longevity which defencemen and forwards did not.

Gilly in 2009:

“I think being a goaltender separates anyone from scrutiny in these kinds of contracts, because it’s been proven that they can play for extended periods of time and still be dominant players.”

Lu has proven him right.

Gillis also suggested the way Luongo plays gave him better odds in avoiding injuries.

Gilly in 2009:

“Roberto plays a very cerebral type game, he’s not making acrobatic saves and diving all over the place and relying on reflexes. He relies on intelligence and preparation and game planning and … and that gives us a lot of confidence that he’s going to be a top player for a long time.”

He wasn’t wrong. Only twice in 19 years has Luongo played fewer than 40 games. One was last year. He played 35. His save percentage was .929, his best in 13 years.

But the number of injuries keeps mounting.

His hip labrum surgery during the 2016 offseason was followed up by complications the next season and another major injury the year after that.

He’s out right now with a Grade 1 MCL knee sprain. He wonders if the hip procedure is a contributing factor.

“Two years ago, would the hip have given me more leeway and absorbed more of that hit? I don’t know,” Luongo said.

“These are the things you think about when you’re hurt every five minutes.

“The hip injury isn’t there anymore. It doesn’t bother me. But I just feel like it contributes. Tough to say if it does or not.”

Truth, Luongo’s remarkable, Hall of Fame career is in its sunset. He knows it. But he’s not going down without a fight. Oh and untold hours of hard work and preparation.

He said Saturday he plans to do everything he can to play the next four years, which should calm many in Vancouver who are panicked about the cap recapture penalties for the Canucks if he leaves early.

Lu said there are two main things he sees now which would lead him to retire.

“First and foremost is my level of play,” Lu said. “I don’t want to embarrass myself.

“Then, there’s injuries. That’s tough.

“I want to play (all 12 years).

“These injuries aren’t making me too happy right now.

“I think they’re tough.

“They feel like they’re coming one after another.”

“When I’m playing, I feel great.

“I feel like I’m still playing at a high level.

“It’s a lot of work to get back but it’s worth it to me.

“I’ve had enough sitting around the past couple of years, I want to be on the ice with the boys.”

BIGGEST TRUTH

Luongo is a Hall of Famer. Full stop.

BEST READING BETWEEN THE LINES

I’m sure Boat Capn is still on a high after that interview so why not keep it going by getting Lu’s take?

“I actually saw some of the transcript of that interview and a lot of the things he was reflecting about I could relate to.

“I knew where he was coming from and I understand the way he was feeling in those moments and the regrets that he had and I kind of feel the same way.

“Like Mike said it’s going to be with me for a long time.”

My take?

Lu’s talking about how Gillis admitted he didn’t handle the pressure well.

BEST SHAP

Lu: “You know what’s funny, (someone) came up to me yesterday and said they saw Tortorella and he told him to say hi to me.

“I was like ‘John Tortorella?'”

Big laughs.

“I’ve never said anything bad about him,” Luongo said. “I actually think he’s a great coach.”

Lu always does seem to say the right thing.

MOST CURIOUS ANSWER

Green: “We won the game. I’m not going to comment on retribution. It was a play that was far away.”

Far away from what?

MOST HAUNTING IMAGE

there it is. The spot. Goodnight from Florida. On to Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/bFSeHPlDzN — Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) October 14, 2018

BEST THREAD

Traikos landed on my radar when he leapt to Spec’s defence this week over Spec’s misleading, garbage take on Gilly.

Quick summary, Gillis says the outside pressure on a team to win it all, especially in a championship series, is immense (it is, and any pro athlete will tell you the same).

Gillis admits he didn’t handle the pressure well and said it was unbearable. (Not many admit things like this).

Spec and Traikos take his comments for a Sunday drive. They claim what he was really doing was blaming the media for the Canucks not winning in 2011.

Great job, guys.

Aware of how he wronged our city, Traikos pivoted back to Vancouver. In a story about potential landing spots for Nylander, he opined that Guddy could be a starting point for a trade.

And just like that, Traikos redeemed himself, gracing us with a wondrous apology.

lol I like the cut of Traikos of jib lol.. don't blast Canucks fans again , Leafs , this is a Toronto Sun article. But Yes and I confidently speak for the Canucks , ownership , every fan and media in Vancouver… Guddy can be a starting point for Nylander trade 😂 https://t.co/o1aJL3BfQH — Gord Locke (@Gordylocke) October 13, 2018

BEST CAPTION

BEST PHOTO SHAP

GEORGIA TWISS GETTING THINGS DONE:

BEST SELLER

Well, this didn’t take long.

BEST UPDATE

Many have wondered, how do JPAT and I spend our time while in a pickup truck driving through Alligator Alley?

BEST STORY

Picture for a moment you’re a top goalie prospect. You’re 22 years old, confident your time is either now to play in the NHL or pretty damn close to it.

Picture for a moment, you’re Thatcher Demko. You arrive at the Canucks’ 2018 camp and it’s your first real opportunity to win an actual NHL job.

Now, picture this, for the third time in three seasons there’s a new goalie coach, a new voice with different suggestions and demands. The changes he’s asking you to make feel significant.

Anders Nilsson, who is 28 years old, felt the changes from goalie coach Ian Clark were serious for him at camp. He’s been entrenched as an NHL backup, having played more than 100 NHL games. There was still a lot for him to process and apply in the preseason.

“I really agreed with (Clark) but it always takes more time for a goalie to (implement) change.

“It’s not something you can do in a week,” Nilsson said. “Sometimes it can take months before it is in your spine, and you don’t think about it anymore, and you just go out there and do it.

“Before you get to that level, you have to think a lot about it. Think about it every day. Think about it in certain situations.

“The hard part is to work on it all in practice, but when the game comes, you just leave it, let it go and let the instincts click in.”

Demko was open and appreciative to change. There’s a good chance it could help make him a better goalie. The changes, however, did not give him a better chance to make the Canucks last month.

He was climbing uphill from the start, and it could not have been easy for him to deal with.

But his challenging camp was about to get much worse.

Demko was hit in the head with a puck during a practice in Vancouver. He suffered a head injury, a concussion.

Things progressed well at first. In fact, the day before he flew east he felt well enough to go out and was seen downtown in busy Vancouver.

That’s no small thing for a player recovering from a concussion. With the way he was progressing, Demko was close to practicing again.

This next part is important. Demko was then medically cleared to fly back to Utica where he would re-join the Comets.

But still in concussion protocol, he didn’t feel entirely comfortable with flying. Also, he wanted to do right by the team.

Several people around the Canucks know this story. Demko talked to Jim and expressed ambivalence about the flight. It’s believed he asked if he could stay in Vancouver, even just for a few days and put off the flight.

The Canucks didn’t see a reason for him to stay in Vancouver because the player had been cleared for the long flight.

Demko did what the team had asked.

The post-concussion symptoms worsened when he landed. Demko couldn’t even get to Utica. He would spend the next few days unable to do much at all, the Canucks said.

The Canucks advised him to stay away from the rink.

The flight had set his recovery back weeks and I don’t think that part of it is disputed by anyone.

Demko started getting active again last week. On Tuesday he was able to work out for 10 minutes. He’s been improving again.

I don’t tell this story to assign blame. I honestly think the Canucks were doing what they thought was best for the player. Demko had made big improvements in his recovery and the next step from the Canucks perspective was ice time.

They believed Utica was the best place for him to start practicing again.

The Canucks deny anyone from Demko’s side suggested he could benefit if he stayed in Vancouver for a few days.

Did he ask to stay?

“No but we talked to him,” Benning said. “We needed to get him up and playing.”

This story isn’t about the Canucks doing something wrong.

But it does highlight how the NHL’s concussion protocol may need some adjustments. Demko flying has to be viewed as regrettable when you now know the results.

The Canucks should ask themselves if there’s something here to be learned for the next a player is in this spot.

Thing is, a similar situation happened to Roussel. He had been making gains recovering from a concussion in Montreal before training camp.

Then, it was time to travel to Vancouver.

He believes that trip had a significant impact in prolonging recovery.

“The worst is when I flew from Montreal to Vancouver,” Roussel said. “The whole day had an impact. The whole process. Traveling with two kids, one cat and then being on a plane for six hours.

“Even when you feel healthy that’s not easy.”

No, it’s not.