Canucks Player Grades: Late flurry in hurry not enough in 5-3 loss to Sabres

Kiefer Sherwood keeps checking the boxes.

The highly coveted Vancouver Canucks unrestricted free agent was at it again Tuesday in Buffalo to open a six-game road trip crammed into 10 days that will draw lots of eyeballs.

The feisty right-winger, who’s on pace for a career-high 33 goals, is drawing immense NHL trade interest because he’s a demon to deter at even strength with a strong stride and determination to unleash a heavy and accurate release.

Sherwood was also looking like a beast in the power play bumper position against the Sabres to add to his rich resume. On the Canucks’ first power play in the opening period, he had three Grade A shots, including back-to-back chances in the slot to force tough pad saves in hunting for this seventh man-advantage goal of the season.

Sherwood also stole the puck in the second period to create a short-handed chance that Drew O’Connor couldn’t covert. He also set up Jake DeBrusk to spark a late-game rally to finish with six shots, nine attempts, four more hits to pass the 200 mark on the season.

It would eventually prove contagious because there was redemption to recover from a 4-0 hole and close the gap to 4-3 in what would become a 5-3 setback.

DeBrusk drew a double minor in the third period and scored down low before Elias Pettersson turned and ripped one to make the score respectable. And just 39 seconds later, it was Liam Ohgren connecting to turn what looked like a laugher into a nail-biter.

For everything Sherwood did, he would bemoan a crucial mistake.

He couldn’t corral the puck at the Sabres’ blue-line on a first-period power play and coughed up a 2-on-1 break that gave the home side a 2-0 lead. He was also late in retreat on the third goal, but the damage had already been done with Tyler Myers and Pierre-Olivier Joseph prone at the far post.

It allowed Alex Tuch, perched at the other post, plenty of time to tuck the puck up high for a three-goal bulge that became four early in the final period.

“We were alright for a bit and lost coverage on the first goal, and on the power play, you can’t give up a 2-on-1 like that,” said Canucks head coach Adam Foote. “It seemed like it rattled us for longer than it usually does as a group. Usually, we bounce back quicker.

“We seemed to find a way to get some jump later in the game but just a little too late. It sparked us for sure and we were coming and they were sitting back. I’d like to see us calm down when the first two went in and our leadership group grab that quicker and let it linger like it did.

“We just have to play our game. We got loose in coverage.”

As for the comeback, it was gratifying to a degree, but losing is still losing. Moral victories don’t mean much.

“We weren’t ready to play and that’s on us,” admitted DeBrusk. “Demmer (Thatcher Demko) kept us in it and I like the fight we had in the third period, but there’s a fine line between winning and losing. Little plays can make the difference. We have to take the positives out of the third and just keep going.”

So, is there really a chance?

What are we to make of the latest Sherwood development?

The Canucks have reportedly made a contract offer to the winger for US$4 million annually at a four to five-year term. That would nearly triple his expiring $1.5 million salary cap hit and you would have to think it’s something he would seriously ponder. Especially with the sides said to be far apart on the weekend.

Then again, Sherwood’s camp has every right to swing for the fences and try to hit a home run because the undrafted and undaunted hockey lifer has known nothing but one-year deals at the league minimum.

The line of trade suitors is long because his game is well suited for the grit and grind of the post-season. And because the Canucks are striving to get younger, it’s hard to understand retaining Sherwood, who turns 31 on March 31. The Canucks do need scoring.

Then again, it could be what we have always thought. Drive up the price and the bidding war for Sherwood.

REPORT CARDS

Evander Kane (C+)

Two shots on first power play, driving net better. Had 12 shot attempts.

Max Sasson (C)

Speed off wall to get puck to Boeser who drew penalty at top of crease.

Brock Boeser (C)

Misses big chance early, scoreless in 17 games, one in 24. Three shots.

Jake DeBrusk (C+)

Finally got to net at speed on power play in third for 11th goal, 10th on PP.

Elias Pettersson (C+)

Quiet night until a turnaround ripper from slot in third to cut it to 4-2.

Linus Karlsson (C)

Whiffed on scoring chance. Story of night and not strong on forecheck.

Drew O’Connor (C)

Some zone exit problems, couldn’t covert short-handed feed at net.

David Kampf (C)

Maybe thinking about Olympics. No shots. Only won 27% of draws.

Kiefer Sherwood (B)

Effort is always there. Pushed the pace, great chances, rare miscue.

Liam Ohgren (C+)

Challenged on the defensive walls, but scored in third. Four shots.

Aatu Raty (C)

Had great scoring chance off break in first, won six of eight faceoffs.

Nils Hoglander (C)

Better decisions in offensive zone to create time, space to get shot away.

Marcus Pettersson (C)

Challenged in a pairing with rookie Willander to not get beat down low.

Tom Willander (C-)

Gave up puck behind net for scoring chance, hooking minor. Learning.

Zeev Buium (C+)

Great long laser pass to spring Raty for quick shot. Had Grade A chance.

Filip Hronek (C+)

Does a lot on every night. Smartly took away time and space in D-zone.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph (C-)

At far post with Myers as Tuch had too much time to tuck home 3-0 goal.

Tyler Myers (C-)

Rough long shift in opening frame with fourth line pinned, running on fumes.

Thatcher Demko (C+)

Tough saves off Tuch and Power, another off mask in first, to keep club in it.

bkuzma@postmedia.com