Why Canucks’ Elias Pettersson wasn’t leaned on more vs. Penguins

And yet all of them received more five-on-five ice time than Elias Pettersson against the Penguins. Pettersson played 9:29 — nearly six fewer minutes than Raty (15:06), one minute fewer than Aman (10:32) and nearly a minute fewer than Sasson (10:22). 

When considering how depleted Vancouverâ€s forward lineup was on Tuesday, why didnâ€t coach Adam Foote lean more on his No. 1 centre at five-on-five?

“He (had) eight minutes (on) special teams and probably (had) two shifts in the last eight minutes because we were down 5-1,†Foote said Thursday, before the Canucks faced the Nashville Predators. “When youâ€re playing eight minutes on special teams, mainly because of our injuries, those are harder minutes, killing penalties, things like that.â€Â Â 

Despite scoring on the first shot of the game Tuesday, Petterssonâ€s line with Conor Garland and Jake DeBrusk finished with 6:40 of even-strength ice time — third behind Ratyâ€s (9:22) and Sassonâ€s (8:25) lines. 

The 5-1 loss at Pittsburgh was the third time in seven games this season that Pettersson played fewer than 10 minutes at five-on-five. His 11:25 average ice time at five-on-five — down from 13:41 per game last season — ranks 237th out of 359 forwards who have played at least five games. 

Foote noted that Petterssonâ€s average ice time on special teams has risen from 3:46 per game last season to five minutes this season. 

“Harder minutes are going to be special-team minutes, which his are up from last year,†Foote said. “So when youâ€re up at the eight-minute mark (Tuesday) and youâ€re down 5-1 and youâ€ve had three games in three-and-a-half days, youâ€re trying to manage the guy physically, not put him in a place to get injured, either.†

Pettersson, who is under constant pressure to live up to his $11.6 million-a-year contract, has been active defensively but somewhat quiet offensively. He has 10 scoring chances in all situations (1.43 per game), according to Sportlogiq. Also, he has won just 40.9 per cent of his faceoffs, which ranks 86th out of 93 players who have taken at least 15 per cent of their teamâ€s total draws. (Pettersson went 5-for-22 in the faceoff circle Tuesday, including 1-for-9 versus Sidney Crosby in the defensive zone.)

Foote also said Thursday morning that Brock Boeser will play against the Predators after missing the past two games for personal reasons. Boeser, who has three goals in five games, will start on a line with Sasson and DeBrusk. Evander Kane most likely will replace DeBrusk on Petterssonâ€s line, opposite Garland. 

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