Abbotsford Canucks Need Their Stars To Shine If They Are Going To Advance To The 2025 Western Conference Final
The Abbotsford Canucks are one win away from history. If they can defeat the Colorado Eagles on Monday, Abbotsford will qualify for its first-ever AHL Western Conference Final. Ultimately, this is a big moment for not just the organization, as it shows that the Vancouver Canucks have built a strong prospect poll that can win at the AHL level.
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If the Canucks are going to advance, they need their top players to be at their best. Despite Abbotsford skaters having strong individual performances throughout the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, only Sammy Blais is at a point per game, while Linus Karlsson is the only skater with over three goals during the 11 games. Yes, depth scoring is important, but at this stage, the Canucks need one of their stars to take over the game and lead them to victory.
The first skater who needs to have a big game is Max Sasson. The 24-year-old has been one of Abbotsford's best players all playoffs, but only has three goals and six points in 11 games. If Sasson can once again get at least three shots on net, there is a good chance he finds his way onto the scoresheet in Game 5.
Next up is Arshdeep Bains, who is still looking for his first goal of the post-season. While Bains has been active offensively with five assists, going 11 games without a goal is surprising. Ultimately, the key for Bains may be getting every puck he can on net in order to break his scoring slump.
Lastly, Victor Mancini will need to have a strong performance in this win-or-go-home Game 5. The 23-year-old has been Abbotsford's best defenceman throughout the post-season, and is already up to five points in 11 games. If Mancini can continue to have an impact at both ends of the ice, it will go a long way in helping the Canucks punch their ticket to the next round.
Ultimately, Abbotsford needs its stars to step up if it is going to win Game 5. As mentioned, the Canucks have done a great job spreading the offence around the lineup during the playoffs, but these types of moments often require big performances from top-of-the-lineup players. In the end, Abbotsford has created a competitive roster that, with stellar performances from its best players, could be on its way to face the Texas Stars in the Western Conference Final.
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
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Abbotsford Canucks: Travis Green knows 'it's not a race' for Manny Malhotra to run an NHL bench
Travis Green knows taking the time to reach an NHL career objective is comforting. Ten years ago, he guided the Utica Comets to the Calder Cup Finals, the first time an AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the championship series. The Comets fell in five games to the favoured Manchester Monarchs — three one-goal contests and two that required overtime — but the players and Green were much better for the experience. Green parlayed four seasons as Utica bench boss into head coach of the Canucks in 2017, transitioned to the New Jersey Devils, and is now at the helm of the vastly improved Ottawa Senators. The Abbotsford Canucks open their Calder Cup title quest Friday in Charlotte, N.C. with rookie head coach Manny Malhotra in the spotlight. He has been widely saluted for a seamless transition to the demanding position and has a confidant in Green to live in the career moment and not dwell on the future. Green knows you have to look before you leap. Timing should be everything for Malhotra. What would Green tell the 45-year-old Malhotra as he preps to face the Checkers in the AHL championship? Malhotra served as a Canucks assistant to Green for three seasons before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in the same capacity. He was also a Canucks centre for 159 games over three NHL seasons. That's a pretty good book of work. Any advice, Travis? 'Doesn't look like he needs much right now,' Green chuckled Wednesday during an interview with Postmedia. 'Just keep doing what he's doing. He's obviously doing a hell of a job. I'm not giving him advice. He doesn't need it. I just sent him a note the other day to wish him luck and congratulate him on getting to the finals. 'I didn't know Manny before I got to Vancouver, but I consider him a good friend now. I'm happy and really proud of him.' That's where time can become a factor. Malhotra is the talk of the town as a hot NHL bench-boss prospect. 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'You have to adjust your lines, the messages to your team, and rally them at certain moments,' added Green. 'You play a tough schedule and find way to have energy, even as coach, when you're tired. It challenges you in great ways and is such a good breeding ground for coaches.' Like Malhotra. bkuzma@ What you need to know about the Abbotsford Canucks' Calder Cup chase Abbotsford Canucks: Will Lockwood has Calder Cup incentive with red-hot Charlotte Checkers
