[ad_1]
Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet is aware of the Nashville Predators are on the lookout for methods to close down his star defenceman.
He and his workers are doing the identical to the Predators
The work isn’t simple, although. Beginning on Sunday, the first-round playoff sequence between the Canucks and Predators pits two favourites for this yr’s Norris Trophy — awarded to the NHL’s prime defenceman — towards each other.
“In a single sequence, you’ve bought two of the most effective defencemen within the league proper now,” Tocchet mentioned.
RELATED: Canucks set to face Predators in first playoff appearance since 2020
Canucks captain Quinn Hughes completed the common season with 92 factors (17 targets, 75 assists), first within the league amongst defencemen. Nashville’s Roman Josi was third with 85 (23 targets, 62 assists).
Sandwiched in between was Colorado Avalanche blue-liner Cale Makar with 90 (21 targets, 69 assists).
“I’m certain they’re sport planning Hughes and we’re sport planning Josi,” Tocchet mentioned. “Massive-game planning towards these guys. They’re that good.”
Hughes and Josi are completely different gamers, mentioned Predators coach Andrew Brunette, however each are offensive and dynamic.
“Quinn’s sport is evolving,” mentioned Brunette, who coached Hughes’ youthful brother Jack with the New Jersey Devils final season.
“I feel (Josi) has perhaps been round somewhat bit longer and we perhaps take him as a right somewhat bit all through the league. To see it first-hand this yr, I’m fairly lucky to be on the bench and watch it. Finest seat in the home.”
Now in his thirteenth season, Josi has lengthy been one of many league’s prime blue liners and gained the Norris in 2020. The 33-year-old had his second-highest level whole this yr and matched probably the most targets he’s scored in a marketing campaign.
“Josi is unbelievable. And he’s accomplished it for thus lengthy,” Hughes mentioned. “He’s simply form of a horse. He drives his group, he’s at all times up within the play, he’s bought an important shot, he’s aggressive. … So he’s, I don’t know, 33, 34, enjoying at perhaps the very best degree he’s performed at. So we’re going to must be on him.”
Hughes, enjoying in his fifth full NHL season, hit a franchise excessive in factors by a defenceman to interrupt the file he set final yr.
“(Hughes is) enjoyable to look at. I like watching him play,” Josi mentioned. “He’s unbelievable on his edges, the way in which he skates and sees the sport. It’s a number of enjoyable to look at and he’s had a tremendous yr . . . and it’s going to be enjoyable to play towards.”
Luke Schenn now a teammate of Josi in Nashville was typically paired with Hughes throughout his time in Vancouver. Schenn sees similarities of their abilities, together with how they each management the sport.
Schenn mentioned “every thing” about Hughes’ sport has grown since his debut again in 2019.
“He’s enjoying, I don’t even know, 25-plus minutes an evening, towards heavy matchups, first strains,” Schenn mentioned of the 24-year-old American.
“We knew how he may run an influence play off the beginning, how he may work the offensive zone blue line, however I feel that’s bought quite a bit higher by way of his taking pictures. You’ve seen what number of targets he’s put up. Simply defending more durable, he’s extra skilled, he’s getting somewhat stronger there, and doesn’t lose too many battles. He’s an important skater, closes performs in a rush.”
Each Hughes and Josi know they’re Norris Trophy contenders, however it’s not one thing both take into consideration as they put together for playoffs.
“It’s at all times an enormous honour to be within the dialog,” Josi mentioned. “I feel he had an important yr and I had an important yr. Whoever wins it doesn’t take away from the opposite man.
“However now it’s playoff time. As soon as the puck drops, it’s Preds towards Vancouver and I feel each of us wish to win the sequence. That’s all that’s on our minds.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed April 20, 2024.
[ad_2]
Source link