Best of the Best: November 2018

From a few incredible Pettersson passes to Gaudette's first goal, the Canucks' youngsters made some memorable plays this past month. Here's the best of the best.

Best Goal

Boeser and Pettersson team up for Sedin-style goal vs. Avalanche (11/02/18)
Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser are turning back the clock. The two youngsters combined for one of the best goals of the NHL season in a game against the Avalanche in early-November. With Vancouver and Colorado tied 1-1 in the second period, Pettersson collected the puck at the Canucks' blueline before making a tremendous read to spot Boeser skating into the Colorado zone. Pettersson set up Boeser perfectly with a bank pass off the end boards before Boeser sniped a shot past goaltender Semyon Varlamov. It was one of five points on the night for Pettersson, who became the youngest player in franchise history to record five points in a game. What makes this particular goal even more special is that the Sedin twins are known for that play and scored a very similar goal during the 2012-13 season.
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Watch: Youtube Video

Best Assist

Pettersson sets up Boeser with ridiculous pass vs. Golden Knights (11/29/18)
Elias Pettersson is on another level. The youngster made numerous memorable plays this past month, but it's hard to top this one. With the Canucks facing the Golden Knights in their final game of November, Pettersson and Boeser went to work once again. With the game scoreless in the opening period, Pettersson intercepted a breakout pass from Brayden McNabb before pursuing the puck in the slot. Pettersson stripped Nate Schmidt of the puck before immediately being tripped by the Vegas blueliner. With a penalty call on the way, Pettersson showcased ridiculous skill to swing an incredible no-look pass to Boeser in the slot as he was falling down. It was the 12th point of the month for Pettersson, who had a fantastic November after being named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for October.
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Best Save

Markstrom stretches to rob Sabres' Skinner (11/10/18)
The Canucks were able to get a point against the red-hot Sabres in a November matchup thanks in part to the play of netminder Jacob Markstrom. The Swedish goaltender made a great save on Jeff Skinner during the third period to preserve a two-goal lead. With Buffalo pressuring in the Vancouver zone, Skinner centered a puck to Jack Eichel from behind the net. Markstrom had to react fast to deny Eichel before quickly recovering to rob Skinner on the rebound. The Swedish goaltender demonstrated terrific awareness to read the pass before showcasing his flexibility to stretch out and deny Skinner. It was one of 34 saves on the night for Markstrom, who made 30-plus saves on three different occasions this past month.

Best Fight

Archibald answers vs. Bruins' Krug (11/08/18)
Darren Archibald isn't afraid to answer the bell. After the Vancouver forward layed out Joakim Nordstrom along the wall in a game against the Bruins this past month, Boston blueliner Torey Krug took exception to the hit. Krug clearly didn't like Archibald taking down his teammate, so he challenged the feisty Canuck to a scrap. Archibald showed no hesitation dropping the gloves, squaring off and getting the better of Krug in a heated scrap. Archibald laded several bombs, including a few hard lefts. Both benches banged their sticks afterwards to showcase their respects after the tilt. It was one of two fights in the past month for Archibald, who also sparked the Canucks with a fight against Cody McLeod vs. the Rangers four days later.
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Best Milestone

Gaudette scores first NHL goal vs. Kings (11/24/18)
This is one Adam Gaudette will never forget. The Canucks ended an eight-game losing streak with a win over the Kings. Gaudette's memorable first goal played a key part in the victory. With the Canucks and Kings scoreless in the first period, Virtanen made a great play to track down the puck in the offensive zone and force a turnover. After the Canucks took over possession, Virtanen made a fantastic cross-ice slap pass to Gaudette, who had just come off the bench. The 22-year-old made no mistake beating goaltender Calvin Petersen for his first NHL goal. Considering Virtanen set up the goal, it was only fitting the Abbotsford native went and retrieved the milestone puck out of the goal. Gaudette picked up three points in November and is making his mark for the Canucks after winning the Hobey Baker Memorial Award last season as the best men's hockey player in the NCAA.
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