April 5, 2024, 11:24 p.m.
LOS ANGELES — After failing to reap the plethora of goals and points that reward players in free agency, all Elias Lindholm can do is win. That's why the Vancouver Canucks acquired him two months ago.
Lindholm's tough season was made worse when a wrist injury forced the 29-year-old center out of the lineup five games ago.
Uncertainty about his contract and future beyond this season contributed to the Swede's slow first half with the Calgary Flames. However, after a blockbuster trade to the Canucks on January 31, Lindholm's scoring dropped even further.
His first six games with the Canucks included two two-goal games, but he had one goal and three assists in his next 16 games. Lindholm, who joined his teammates here for practice on Friday, has just 14 goals and 41 points in 71 games. He is not scheduled to play in Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Kings, but he should play right away.
The Canucks only have six regular season games left before the National Hockey League playoffs begin in two weeks.
“The main goal here is to win the Stanley Cup,” Lindholm told Sportsnet after the Canucks practiced at the Kings' training facility in El Segundo. “Honestly, I don't care whether I give zero points or (a lot) of points. But I want to help the team in the right way. I think playing their best hockey can help this team and help this team take the next step and do well in the playoffs.
“I'm entering the final year of my contract and after this season I'll be a UFA, but obviously I put a lot of pressure on myself even before the season started. I want to produce and be the best version of myself. I wanted to be, but obviously it didn't work out. That's the way it's been. But then the trade happened and I'm excited to come here and be a part of this group and I'm excited to be the best in the playoffs. I hope I can play some good hockey and show my true self.”
The real Lindholm is one of the NHL's best two-way centers, a Selke Trophy runner-up two seasons ago, and has scored on a pace of 31 goals and 72 points in 82 games over the past five years in Calgary.
The real Lindholm is “a guy who will do anything to win and help his team,” Canuck defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. Zadorov, Lindholm's teammate in Calgary, previously compared the center to Selke legend Patrice Bergeron and said the Flames wouldn't have been able to beat the Dallas Stars in the playoffs two years ago without Lindholm.
On Friday, Lindholm took turns delivering several lines during training. Manager Rick Tocchet has made it clear that he believes the Canucks' strongest lineup is built around the midfield of JT Miller, Elias Pettersson, Lindholm and Teddy Blueger.
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Lindholm ironically ended a 15-game shutout streak with an empty-netter against the Flames on March 23, before being sidelined due to aggravated wrist injury suffered “a few games” earlier. .
“It was kind of cruel to deal with this,” he said. “Obviously, you use it a lot, but when I played, it wasn't getting better. It was a good time. I feel pretty good right now.”
Tocchet declined to say which game Lindholm's goal is to return to, but said he's not concerned about the veteran having to do much preparation for the playoffs.
“If he had only played 200 games (in the NHL), I would be a little more concerned,” Tocchet said. “But he's played 800 games. He's a veteran, he's played in the playoffs before. I'm sure he wants to warm up here and get in some games. But I'm not that worried about the veteran. But of course he's going to want some reps.”
“I don’t think I need reps,” Lindholm said. “You know, I want to play sooner rather than later. But at the same time… I want to be healthy and be the best version of myself when I come back.”
Lindholm's injury not only allowed him time to recover physically, but also to reset mentally after the constant stress of a difficult contract year.
“When I was younger, when I wasn't playing, it was nice to sit upstairs and watch the game and see it from a different perspective,” he explained. “I played with this (injury) for a few games and it didn't get better, so I let this rest and let it heal and hopefully it's a good thing. . . . I'll be back in the game soon. Reset my mind. So, obviously, I think it was a good refresher for me to come back and try to be a better player.”
Z mark
Zadorov made headlines in the NHL, especially in Los Angeles, last week when he spoke to Sportsnet about the Kings' ultra-conservative style. They just rim the puck and sit there the whole game. So their goal is not to play hockey, and not to let other teams play hockey. ”
After frustrating the Canucks and winning 3-2 at Rogers Arena with a 1-3-1 retreat, the Kings traveled to Edmonton, where veteran defenseman Drew Doty told reporters: told. We've heard complaints from many top players in the game. The players were shouting at our bench, “What kind of hockey is this 1-3-1?'' etc. Frustrating them a little puts a smile on our faces. ”
Not only is Doughty one of the NHL's best defensemen, he also has a well-known voice on the ice. So will Zadorov suffer a Doughty headache on Saturday?
“No, I've known him for a long time,” Zadorov smiled. “He's a good guy. I'm not worried about that.”
The defense attorney said he received no backlash for his comments.
“I mean, it's true,” he said. “But they're very good at it.”
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Goalkeeper update
Injured star Thatcher Demko did not practice with the Canucks on Friday, instead having another one-on-one on-ice session with goaltending coach Ian Clark. Demko will be eligible to return from long-term injured reserve on Saturday, but will not play against the Kings.
Tocchet even said that Arturus Silovs, who was called up from the minor leagues, could get a fresh start, meaning Demko might not be available until the final three or four games of the regular season. do. Saturday's projected starter is regular backup Casey DeSmith.
“Casey has worked hard for us all year and is eligible to play,” Tocchet said. “But I think Shilovs can definitely play another game for us.”
Since Demko was recalled with a knee injury on March 9, Shilovs has won both starts, making 20 of 21 shots in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes. stopped.
