Canucks' Green: 'I can understand' fans losing confidence in us

Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green can sympathize with disgruntled fans following his team's 5-9-2 start to the season.

"I can understand that," Green told the media when asked about Canucks fans losing confidence in the team after Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. "Things haven't gone the way we wanted them to, but I will say I'm confident our team will turn it around."

After the Canucks were decimated by COVID-19 last season en route to a last-place finish in the realigned North Division, they currently sit seventh in the Pacific Division, ahead of just the Seattle Kraken. Vancouver has the league's fifth-worst goal differential (-14) and has been outscored 22-8 during its current four-game losing streak. Additionally, the Canucks gave up seven goals to both the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights in back-to-back games.

Vancouver's special teams also haven't been very dazzling. The team's penalty kill is in the NHL's basement with a 62.3% success rate, while its power play is struggling at a 15.3% clip.

Despite all that, and the fact that the Canucks are already six points out of a playoff spot, Green is confident his team will rebound.

"I think our penalty kill is going to have to help get us going. I think it will come around," he said. "I know our power play will score. I know we have some players that will produce, they've produced before. I know getting some of our defensemen back will also help our game."

Green added: "But I do think we have to play better, I'm not saying we don't. We gotta get back to playing a direct, 200-foot game."

The Canucks' next chance to right the ship will come Wednesday against the Avalanche.

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