The Canucks wasted their best effort of the year on the Bruins, according to general manager Mike Gillis, and it could have been the main factor in the team's early exit from the playoffs.
In an end-of-year press conference, Gillis admitted that the team's 4-3 win over the Bruins in January threw the team for a loop emotionally, since they had so much invested in the regular-season rematch of the last year's Stanley Cup final.
"I really felt the game in Boston for some reason was such an emotional and challenging game, it was almost like playing a Stanley Cup final game in the middle of the season," Gillis said, "and from that point on I don't think our team ever really collectively got their emotions together.
"As a group I didn't think we executed as well or played as well from that point for the remainder of the season."
Gillis admitted that he thought the Canucks were "indifferent" heading into the playoffs, where they were defeated in five games by the No. 8 seed Los Angeles Kings. He also discussed the team's future, indicating he expects coach Alain Vigneault to return next season and they could balance Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider in goal once again.
