Canucks Schedule: Rick Tocchet balancing practices with preparation practicality

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Play like you practise.

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That summation means everything to the Vancouver Canucks because there’s never enough time to dial into the details of their game.

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Especially when they suddenly veer and hit bumps on that straight-line road to respectability and prosperity. It’s why there are keyword reminders in their circular locker-room ceiling — command, energy, compete and invest — and why there’s thought in how to approach every day.

A two-game losing streak isn’t a big deal. Losing structure and discipline and bite are. You can only play the tired card so long because schedule challenges are about rest, recovery and response.

It’s why a different kind of school was in session Sunday at Rogers Arena.

Tocchet could have cracked the whip with a long practice, but chose a meeting and film work to get his message across. It was a measure to find that crucial balance of being physically and mentally ready to perform. And it also speaks to the partnership Tocchet has forged with his leadership group.

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Sometimes, words carry more weight than an on-ice practice drill.

“We had a good meeting today and our leadership has done a great job this year of resetting — good or bad,” said Tocchet. “That’s something we keep growing. And sometimes, you have to be careful. We’ve played a lot of hockey and you have to pick and choose.

“You have to worry about the energy level. It makes no sense to skate guys if it’s not there.”

And when it’s not there, you get Saturday’s setback.

“When the other team makes a push, you want to change it so bad that you think you can make a play — even though you’ve been out for 50 seconds,” said Tocchet. “And when the next guy does it, it’s just cumulative.

“That’s where you get in trouble.”

Tyler Myers believes playing connected will tie up a lot of loose ends on the back end. If there’s back pressure by supportive forwards, there’s a better chance to stymie an attack and trigger the transition.

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“It’s five guys,” said the Canucks defenceman. “It’s the winger position in the defensive zone in how we defend and that’s an example of something we’ve got away from. Watching video today will help us get back to it.”

Here’s what awaits this week as the Canucks cram four games into six days:

Sharks at Canucks

When and where: Monday 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena

TV: SN Pacific | Radio: Sportsnet 650

Why watch: Quickly snapping back to attention

The Canucks built a 4-0 lead after 20 minutes en route to a 10-1 drubbing of the Sharks in San Jose on Nov. 2. They also scored four power-play goals. The plan is simple. Play with pace. Go hard to the net. Draw penalties and let the league’s third-ranked power play take over. Game over.

Who to watch: Defenceman Quinn Hughes

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It’s not just the fleet feet and those laser-like passes that have pilled up assists. Hughes has added to his remarkable repertoire. He now freezes a defender at the offensive blue-line, quickly jukes to the left, bolts wide and then unleashes a much heavier and accurate shot from a sharp angle.

Canucks at Avalanche

When and where: Wednesday at 7 p.m. | Ball Arena

TV: SN Pacific | Radio: Sportsnet 650

Why watch: The stars come out to play

The Avalanche are injury riddled, but extended their win streak to three games Saturday by overcoming a 3-0 deficit in a 6-3 decision over Dallas. Mikko Rantanen has 11 goals and Cale Makar has 20 assists. Nathan MacKinnon is a game-breaker and has 20 points. The Canucks were 2-1-0 against the Avs last season.

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Who to watch: Defenceman Cale Makar

The fourth-overall draft pick in the 2017 draft had three assists Saturday to become the fastest blueliner in league history to hit 200 career assists. He accomplished the amazing feat in just 254 games and 24 points (4-20) are four shy of front-running Hughes, who leads all rearguards.

Canucks at Kraken

When and where: Friday at 7 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena

TV: SN Pacific | Radio: Sportsnet 650

Why watch: Payback to ramp up rivalry

The Canucks don’t need incentive. A disturbing 4-3 loss to the Kraken on Saturday at Rogers Arena was riddled with errors — everything from sloppy line changes, to long shifts poor defending and not enough push — and Tocchet had every right to be ticked off.

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Who to watch: Winger Jared McCann

It’s not just that he was a Canucks’ first-round draft choice, who was traded and blossomed into a 40-goal sniper last season, it’s the way he also plays a gritty and disturbing game. Two of his four big hits Saturday were borderline penalties.

Canucks at San Jose

When and where: Saturday at 7 p.m. | SAP Center

TV: SN Pacific | Radio: Sportsnet 650

Why watch: Back-to-back energy test

Four games in six nights are hard for any club. Couple that with a total demolition of the Sharks in the last meeting in San Jose and it will be easy to take that club lightly. A test for the coaching staff and players to keep everything in perspective.

Who to watch: Winger Dakota Joshua

The improved third line could be first to dictate tempo with an aggressive forecheck. Joshua had a memorable Dec. 7, 2022, game in San Jose with two goals and a fight in 2:20 of first-period playing time.

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