Paul Bissonnette's take on Elias Pettersson's playoff performance raises concerns about Canucks' playoff chances

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Apr 26, 2024 23:06 GMT

The recent remarks of NHL analyst Paul Bissonnette have brought forth worries about Elias Pettersson’s postseason game. According to Biz, Pettersson's decline has also affected the performance of the Vancouver Canucks in the playoffs.

A clip from "Spittin' Chiclets" highlighted Pettersson's entry into "mental warfare" for the playoffs, prompting Bissonnette's critical assessment.

Bissonnette, a host on "Spittin' Chiclets" and NHL on TNT analyst, questioned Pettersson's mental fortitude, describing him as "a little bit mentally weak." He juxtaposed Pettersson's volatility with players like Nathan MacKinnon, known for their consistency and competitiveness in playoffs.

"I don't want to be too critical, but Elias just seems like a type of guy who is little bit mentally weak. Is that a fair comment? I don't trust, we talked about MacKinnon and how he's got that dog, were you know exactly what you're gonna get from him going into playoffs," Biz said.

Bissonnette expressed his worries about Pettersson because he felt the Canucks forward was physically far weaker and less effective, especially when the post-season was near.

"Where a player like that, who is a hundred-point player in the NHL, to be that volatile and to completely disappear and be a non-factor. You watch him going to battle sometimes and when he's below the goal line any time. There's any type of friction or pushback, he kind of gets Bambi legged, like he's easy to knock off the puck," Biz said.

The spotlight on Elias Pettersson intensified following the Canucks' 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, leveling their playoff series at 1-1. Besides, not having All-Star goalkeeper Thatcher Demko due to an unknown injury made Vancouver weaker on the defensive end.

Despite Pettersson's close attempt to tie the score during a power play, highlighted by a shot that hit the post, questions lingered about his impact and resilience in playoff settings.

"So buddy, where's Willie? No, where's Petey? And if with no Demko, if there's no Petey, i think that Nashville is actually gonna win this series," Biz concluded.

Elias Pettersson and Canucks' 4-1 loss to the Predators

Filip Forsberg and Anthony Beauvillier led the Nashville Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, leveling their playoff series at 1-1. Despite Nikita Zadorov's goal, the Canucks struggled to generate shots, missing key opportunities on power plays.

Nashville's coach praised the team's commitment to defense, particularly in blocking shots.

"We’re not where we want to be, but we’re getting better and today was a good step,” said coach Andrew Brunette.

Beauvillier's early goal set the tone, showcasing his impact since joining the Predators mid-season. Nashville's strong performance highlighted the intensity of playoff hockey, with both teams aiming for improvement as the series progresses.