The Vancouver Canucks held a players-only meeting after a loss in Washington against the Capitals on Monday.
It was a different kind of scene in the Canucks' locker room after a troubling, familiar theme played out for the winless team in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Tuesday.
“I didn’t say anything to the team. I think they were mad enough at everything, the way the sticks were being tossed around," Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau said after his team fell to 0-3-1. "Sometimes after a game like this, nothing is going to get through anyway, so it’s better to talk to them tomorrow."
The Canucks blew a multi-goal game for the fourth game in a row — an NHL first. This time, they couldn't hold onto a 2-0 lead and then blew a 3-2 edge against a team that also came into the game without a win.
Vladislav Gavrikov scored the overtime winner and a former divisional foe, Johnny Gaudreau, scored a highlight-reel goal to tie it.
"When you start the season like this, you have to really take a look in the mirror — every single one of us," Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers said after returning from a lower-body injury and making his season debut. "Take a look at the video and really be critical of things you could have done better and just keep pushing forward."
Myers said there has to be a sense of urgency,
"We do a lot of good for a good chunk of the games and we have mental lapses here and there that are costing us," he said. "We have to take a look at them and have to get better from them quick here."
Goalie Spencer Martin also made his season debut, stopping 28 shots.
"We’re so close and that’s all that matters right now is winning," he said. "I thought that was a really good effort from our guys and I wish I could have converted it."
The Canucks wrap up a season-opening road trip with a game against another winless team — the Minnesota Wild, a squad Boudreau once coached — on Thursday.
Vancouver's home opener is Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres.
"You look at the positives. You got a point there, now let’s build off it," Boudreau said. "Before we go home, let’s get the first win."
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