Canucks Player Grades: Vancouver hits hard, hits early in 4-1 win over Islanders

It’s really bizarre to watch a team just give up.

And that’s what the New York Islanders did Friday. They burst out of the gates against the Vancouver Canucks but then fell behind 3-0 and just never really tried again.

The Canucks players, of course, will take heart in this win, but everyone who wants them to give up on the season and finish in the bottom three — as they really should — will be feeling very annoyed.

It’s a tough life this.

But what are you supposed to do when you get a couple bounces, score a couple times, and the other team just stops skating?

After the Canucks burst out to their lead, the Islanders seemed to sag.

It was only in the third period they found any life, but then it became a story of “thank goodness for Thatcher Demko.”

Or, for the Tankists: “Time to trade Thatcher Demko.”

And given how he’s playing and the long-term reality of this team … that’s really the way to go.

Fast starts

Three games in a row the Canucks have score first. They don’t have Quinn Hughes anymore but they do seem to have some focus and structure to their game.

That’s what Adam Foote has wanted all year.

It’s also about a bit of luck falling their way. Of course, there’s the old saying that you make your own luck.

Power of the PK

The Canucks’ penalty kill is much improved and played a key early role, keeping the Islanders at bay, even on a five-on-three advantage.

And that was a big story to the strong early start. This game could have gone in a very different direction.

Here are the player grades:

Forwards

Marco Rossi C+ The guy can move the puck. Great backhand pass in first to set up Boeser for a scoring chance. His line got outshot, but the quality of shots was pretty even, a statement about their ability to keep the puck out wide.

Conor Garland C+ He’s had more energetic games but not getting scored on is a pretty good thing, too.

Brock Boeser C+ Two chances in the first off nice plays by Marco Rossi. They’re building chemistry, even if Boeser is struggling to finish. Now just one goal in 16 games.

Max Sasson C+ Not much offence, but he drove play in the right direction and that’s all you want.

Evander Kane C+ Another solid night.

Kiefer Sherwood A- Took a silly penalty to put the Canucks down two, but made up for it by scoring Vancouver’s second of the game. Ripped a shot off the wing after stealing the puck off Matthew Schaefer. Then his second came on a power play, ripping a one-timer set up by Filip Hronek. And then the hat trick goal — Sherwood surely is going to be of big interest as a trade chip.

David Kämpf A It’s not how you score, it’s that you did it at all. The checking centre finally scored for his new team, taking a lucky bounce to catch Isles goalie Ilya Sorokin leaning the wrong way. Solid defensively. Maybe his best game as a Canuck.

Nils Höglander C+ A nice, competent night. You’d like a little more juice on offence, though.

Jake DeBrusk C+ He was fine. You’d like more punch from him on offence. Maybe when Pettersson is back, he’ll have someone to pass him the puck.

Drew O’Connor C+ He’s not great on draws but his hockey smarts are equating to highly effective minutes.

Linus Karlsson B- Huge offensive influence. Great stuff as a fourth liner.

Liam Öhgren B- Like his countrymen, not a ton of ice, but quality minutes.

Defence

Marcus Pettersson B- Unnoticed. Good job.

Filip Hronek B Really nice work running the second power play unit to get the Canucks their third goal of the game. He’s going well as the No. 1 defenceman.

Zeev Buium B The kid can skate, the kid can play. Just so steady and pleasant to watch.

Tyler Myers B He’s found a handy partner in Buium. Another good night.

Elias Junior Pettersson C Struggled again defensively. One of the few who didn’t look great.

Tom Willander B- Another strong game from the blueliner. He’s a lovely skater.

Goalie

Thatcher Demko A Deserved another shutout but only gave up a goal because the Islanders had an extra attacker.