The Vancouver Canucks are now 2-3-3 at home this season and head coach Rick Rocchet apologized to Canucks fans after a 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday.
“I apologize to the fans,” Tocchet said. We don’t play well enough at home. It’s my fault. The guys were light tonight. I thought we were ready to play. We weren’t. It’s my fault. »
“I have to make sure this team plays harder. In the first half, there were pushes here and there, but not enough from several players. We have practice tomorrow and we will go back to the drawing board. »
The Canucks came out of the first period with a 1-1 tie even though the Islanders outshot them 9-3. The Islanders dominated the middle period 15-3 in shots and scored two goals. The Canucks attempted a third-period surge with 20 shots to eight, but trailed 5-1 before Tyler Myers added a late goal.
The Islanders improved their record to 7-6-4 with this victory, rebounding after two straight overtime losses.
“We didn’t move our feet. We talked about hitting on their weak side; we didn’t do it. The attackers were skating backwards instead of breaking through and attacking, Tocchet said. It’s not defense or offense, it’s the five-player combo. »
“I give credit to the Islanders. They are a well-coached team. Patrick [Roy] was better than me tonight. »
The Canucks are still in the playoff picture thanks to a 6-1-0 start on the road. Tocchet admitted he has difficulty finding an answer for the extreme difference in his team’s performance when they are on the road or in the comfort of home.
” I don’t know. I don’t know. I have no idea. This is the answer I need to find. We have to change the morning workouts, or do something different because we can’t play so lightly. We need to be tougher to play against. You can’t guess where the puck is going. We don’t have to kill people, we don’t have to push players into the gang – although once in a while, I don’t mind. I prefer a player who stays in front of the opponent. In front of the net, there are too many goals from scrums. This has to stop. »
The loss to the Islanders came in the third game of a six-game home series. Vancouver will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, before facing the Nashville Predators and the New York Rangers.
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