Slide in consumer confidence continues with Canada’s energy-rich Prairies leading the pessimism (released December 21, 2015)

Posted on December 22, 2015 by CanucksBanter

Bloomberg-Nanos Economic Banner

Bloomberg Nanos Weekly Consumer Confidence Tracking

The Prairie provinces, once the most bullish region in terms of consumer sentiment continues to slide, driving down the national confidence numbers and hitting yet another new regional 12 month low according to the Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index.

“Of note, perceptions related to job security and the future strength of the Canadian economy realized negative pressure this week,” said Nanos Research Group Chairman Nik Nanos.

“The decline in commodity prices continues to depress the Canadian dollar — which briefly traded at C$/US$ 1.40 for the first time since 2003 — while having an indirect impact on consumer sentiment in the commodity-dependent provinces. Market expectations are for stabilization of the C$ near this low level in the months ahead, with interest-rate differentials continuing to work against the C$ as the Fed begins its policy normalization process and the Bank of Canada maintains a more accommodative policy stance”, said Robert Lawrie of Bloomberg Economics.

The BNCCI, a composite of a weekly measure of financial health and economic expectations, registered at 55.03 compared with last week’s 55.32. The twelve month high stands at 58.62.

The Bloomberg Nanos Pocketbook Index is based on survey responses to questions on personal finances and job security. This sub-indice was at 59.49 this week compared to 59.60 the previous week. The Bloomberg Nanos Expectations Index, based on surveys for the outlook for the economy and real estate prices, was at 50.58 this week (compared to 51.04 last week).

The average for the BNCCI since 2008 has been 56.74 with a low of 43.28 in December 2008 and a high of 62.92 in December 2009. The index has averaged 55.48 this year.

To view the weekly tracking visit our website.

Methodology

The BNCCI is produced by the Nanos Research Corporation, headquartered in Canada, which operates in Canada and the United States. The data is based on random telephone interviews with 1,000 Canadian consumers (land- and cell-lines), using a four week rolling average of 250 respondents each week, 18 years of age and over. The random sample of 1,000 respondents may be weighted by age and gender using the latest census information for Canada and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Canada. The interviews are compiled into a four week rolling average of 1,000 interviews where each week, the oldest group of 250 interviews is dropped and a new group of 250 interviews is added. The views of 1,000 respondents are compiled into a diffusion index from 0 to 100. A score of 50 on the diffusion index indicates that positive and negative views are a wash while scores above 50 suggest net positive views, while those below 50 suggest net negative views in terms of the economic mood of Canadians.

A random telephone survey of 1,000 consumers in Canada is accurate 3.1 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.

All references or use of this data must cite Bloomberg Nanos as the source.

Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Consumer Confidence Index Data Summary for December 18th, 2015:

Vancouver Suffers 5-4 Shootout Loss To Florida

Posted on December 21, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 21, 2015

Vancouver (12-14-9) lost 5-4 in a shootout to Florida (18-12-4), suffering their 4rth loss on their current road trip that ends Tuesday against Tampa Bay.

The Panthers have won four straight games and are 12-0-1 when scoring at least three goals.

“We are not happy about a 5-4 loss,” Daniel Sedin told the Canucks website. “We can’t let them score four goals. We aren’t going to win a lot of games that way.”

Each team scored twice in the first period and twice in the second.

Canucks got goals from Jannick Hansen, his 10th; Sven Baertschi, his 4rth; Derek Dorsett, his 3rd; and Daniel Sedin, his 15th.

Vancouver was 0 for 2 on the power play and 2-4 on the penalty kill. Canucks were 38 for 79 in face-offs, a large improvement over previous games.

Florida out shot Vancouver 42-34 in the game including 8-1 in the overtime session.

Vancouver Looks To Make It Two Wins In A Row On Road Trip, Against Florida

Posted on December 20, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 20, 2015

Vancouver (12-14-8) plays the second to last game of their six game road trip, when they face-off against Florida (17-12-4) this afternoon.

The Panthers open a 6 game homestand after winning 3 of 4 on the road that ended with a 2-0 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. Florida is 9-3-0 in their last 12 games.

Roberto Luongo got his second shutout of the season against Carolina. He is 6-4-0 in his last 10 games with a 1.73 GAA and a .935 Sv%.

Florida is 5th in the Atlantic division of the Eastern Conference, 5 points behind Montreal in 1rst place, and 6 points ahead of Toronto in last place.

The Canucks look for their second consecutive road victory after defeating the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in a shootout on Friday. The win followed three earlier losses on the road trip to the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota Wild and Chicago Black Hawks.

With the win against Detroit, Ryan Miller’s record improved to 5-4-1 in his last 10 games with a 3.03 GAA and .906 Sv%.

The last time Vancouver won consecutive road games was October 12 and 13 against Anaheim and Los Angeles.

Vancouver is tied for 3rd place in the Pacific division with Arizona and Calgary with 32 points, a single point behind San Jose in 2nd spot and three points ahead of Anaheim in last place.

Four points separate Nos 2-7 in the Pacific division.

CANUCK JOTTINGS

The Canucks wrapped up their sixth of 13 back-to-back series this season against Detroit on Friday night. Thus far, the Canucks have gone 5-4-3 in back-to-back games this season including a record of 2-3-1 in the first game and 3-1-2 in the second game.
Last season, Vancouver played in 12 back-to-back series. They posted a 15-8-1 record in those series going 10-2-0 in the first game and 5-6-1 in the second game.
ROAD TRIP SO FAR……
- Vancouver record: 1W-3L (GF: 5; GA: 15)
- Canucks have had five different goal scorers with a goal each:
  - Jared McCann, Radim Vrbata, Sven Baertschi
  - Henrik Sedin, Jannik Hansen
- Shot leaders:
  - Daniel Sedin: 20
  - Radim Vrbata: 17
  - Alex Edler: 14
- Face-off win percentage:
  - Alex Burrows: 66.7%
  - Bo Horvat: 53.3%
  - Derek Dorsett: 50%
- Plus/Minus:
  - Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin: +2 each
  - Chris Higgins: -6; Alex Edler: -5
  - Chris Tanev: -3; Bo Horvat: -4
  - Matt Bartkowski: -3
Chris Tanev leads the team and is t-7th in the League in blocked shots with 84. His defence partner Alex Edler ranks t-11th in the
NHL with 71 blocked shots.
Ronalds Kenins is t-4rth in the NHL in hits per games played with 4.5.
Derek Dorsett leads the team in hits with 76 and is tied for the 30th most hits in the league.
Daniel Sedin (126) and Radim Vrbata (117) rank 6th and 8th in the League, respectively, in shots.
The Canucks 21 PPG on the season are t-9th most in the NHL
Vancouver has had 119 power play opportunities to date, tied with Montreal for the the most in the League
The Canucks are 13th in the League in blocked shots with 460 and 8th in shots for with 1009
Vancouver is 24th in shots against with 1030.
Vancouver is 9th in the NHL in total face-offs with 2055 and 1rst in face-off losses with 1112.
The Canucks have the 5th least amount of hits in the league this season with 643 in 34 games for 18.9 hits per game.
Vancouver averages 29.7 shots for/gp (14th in the NHL) and 30.3 shots against/gp (22nd in the NHL).
In the last 10 games, the Canucks are 3 for 31: 9.7% on the power play:
- Road: 1 for 15: 6.7%
- Home: 2 for 16: 12.5%
The penalty kill, in the last 10 games, is 29 for 35, 82.9 percent:
- Road: 17 for 23: 73.9%
- Home: 12 for 12: 100%

SEASON SNAPSHOT

CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS

PANTHERS PLAYERS STATS

CANUCKS-PANTHERS AT A GLANCE

Statistics courtesy of NHL, Vancouver Canucks and SportingCharts, with thanks.

NHL MORNING SKATE – DECEMBER 19, 2015

Posted on December 19, 2015 by CanucksBanter

NHL MORNING SKATE – DECEMBER 19, 2015

Welcome to the “NHL Morning Skate,” a daily collection of the latest news and notes from around the League.

REMINDER: HOLIDAY ROSTER FREEZE

For all players on an NHL active roster, injured reserve, or with non-roster and injured non-roster status as of midnight (local time) tonight, a roster freeze shall apply through midnight (local time) Dec. 27, with respect to waivers, trades and loans, subject to the exceptions provided for in CBA Article 16.5 (d).

DID YOU KNOW?

Saturday marks the 98th anniversary of the first games in National Hockey League history. On Dec. 19, 1917, the Montreal Wanderers defeated the Toronto Arenas 10-9 at Montreal Arena and the Montreal Canadiens skated to a 7-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators at Dey’s Arena in Ottawa. Wanderers defenseman Dave Ritchie scored the first goal in League history, one minute into the first contest.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
Boston 6, PITTSBURGH 2
WASHINGTON 5, Tampa Bay 3
Florida 2, CAROLINA 0
OTTAWA 4, San Jose 2
Vancouver 4, DETROIT 3 (SO)
WINNIPEG 5, NY Rangers 2

CAPITALS RALLY TO TIE IDLE STARS AT TOP OF LEAGUE STANDINGS

The Capitals scored five unanswered goals to overcome a 3-0 deficit and improve to 11-1-1 in their past 13 contests, including four consecutive wins.

* At 23-6-2 (48 points), the Capitals continued their best start to a season – in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 41-year history. They also moved into a tie with the idle Stars (23-7-2, 48 points) for first place in the NHL standings. Washington holds a game in hand.
* Per Elias, the Capitals overcame a three-goal deficit to win in regulation for the first time since Oct. 16, 2008 at PIT (4-3 W).
* The Capitals earned their seventh consecutive win at home to improve to 13-3-1 (27 points) this season at Verizon Center. Their 13 home victories and 27 home points are tied for first in the NHL with the Rangers (13-4-1, 27 points) and the Blackhawks (13-4-1, 27 points).
* T.J. Oshie (2-2—4) matched a career high with four points last achieved Jan. 3 at SJS (3-1—4 w/ STL). He has posted at least three points in two of his last three outings (4-3—7).
* Alex Ovechkin (2-2—4) also notched four points, including two power-play goals, and has 40-41—81 in 60 career regular-season games vs. TBL, including 11 power-play goals.

VATRANO HAT TRICK PUSHES BRUINS CLOSER TO DIVISION LEAD

Rookie forward Frank Vatrano (3-0—3) recorded the first hat trick of his NHL career (17 GP) to help the Bruins sweep their home-and-home series with the Penguins and pick up points for the 13th time in their last 14 outings (10-1-3).

* At 18-9-4 (40 points), the Bruins moved within three points of the idle Canadiens (20-10-3, 43 points) – their opponent in the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – for first place in the Atlantic Division. Boston holds two games in hand.
* Per Elias, Vatrano (East Longmeadow, Mass.) became the first Bruins rookie to record a hat trick since Blake Wheeler on Nov. 6, 2008 vs. TOR and the first Massachusetts-born Bruins rookie to do so since Steve Heinze on Jan. 14, 1993 vs. PIT. In fact, Elias says that before Friday’s game, no Massachusetts native had notched a hat trick for Boston since Marty McInnis on March 6, 2003 vs. NYI.
* Ryan Spooner (0-4—4) registered career highs for assists and points in one game and has recorded multiple points in three of his last four contests (3-5—8).
* Tuukka Rask (30 saves) picked up his fifth straight win to extend his personal point streak to 10 games (8-0-2).

LUONGO IN ELITE COMPANY

Roberto Luongo made 24 saves to earn his 70th career shutout (second this season) and backstop the Panthers to a 2-0 win over the Hurricanes.

* Per Elias, only four goaltenders have more shutouts in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) than Luongo: Martin Brodeur (125), Dominik Hasek (81), Ed Belfour (76) and Tony Esposito (76).

* Elias adds that Luongo moved within one shutout of tying Harry Lumley and Lorne Chabot (71) for 11th on the NHL’s all-time list.

AROUND THE RINKS

* The Senators scored four straight goals en route to a 4-2 win over the Sharks, their fourth consecutive victory on home ice. Per Elias, Bobby Ryan (1-1—2), who did not register a point in the Senators’ first three home games this season, has now tallied at least one point in each of the team’s last 14 games at Canadian Tire Centre (7-11—18).
* Blake Wheeler (0-4—4) assisted on four of Winnipeg’s five goals to lead the Jets to their fourth win in their last five games at MTS Centre. Wheeler matched his career high for assists and points in a game last achieved on March 16, 2014 vs. DAL (0-4—4).
* After the Canucks saw 2-0 and 3-2 leads erased, Linden Vey scored the decisive marker in the seventh round of the shootout to defeat the Red Wings and snap a three-game losing streak. Ryan Miller (25 saves) turned aside six of seven shootout attempts to pick up the victory. His 54 career shootout wins rank first in NHL history.

MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS

* Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom (0-1—1) recorded his 600th career point (155-445—600, 605 GP) to pass Michal Pivonka (181-418—599, 825 GP) for sole possession of fourth on the franchise’s all-time list. Backstrom, the fourth overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, became the first player from his draft class to register 600 career points.
* Penguins forward Conor Sheary (1-1—2), a native of Winchester, Mass. and a University of Massachusetts alumnus, scored the first goal of his NHL career (2 GP). The marker came against his home-state Bruins.
* Defenseman Trevor Daley (1-0—1) scored his first goal in a Penguins uniform (2 GP).
* Forward Chris Thorburn played in his 595th career game with the Jets/Thrashers to pass Ilya Kovalchuk (594 GP) for the most in franchise history.
* Capitals forward Jason Chimera (0-1—1) skated in his 900th career NHL game.

LOOSE PUCKS

The Bruins improved to 5-0-1 in their last six games vs. PIT dating to Nov. 25, 2013 (PIT: 1-3-2)… Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron (2-0—2) scored twice – including his first shorthanded goal of the season – to stretch his point streak to seven games (3-6—9)… Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (0-2—2) has 11-29—40 in 29 career regular-season games vs. BOS… The Capitals swept their three-game season series with the Lightning and improved to 11-0-2 in their last 13 regular-season home games vs. TBL dating to Nov. 11, 2010 (TBL: 2-7-4)… Capitals defenseman John Carlson (0-1—1) stretched his point streak to five games (2-4—6)… Panthers forward Reilly Smith (1-0—1) has scored in a career-high four consecutive games (4-1—5)… Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (1-1—2) has posted back-to-back multi-point games (2-3—5)… Senators goaltender Craig Anderson made 31 saves to improve to 15-9-3 (2.81 GAA, .916 SV%, 2 SO)… Jets forwards Bryan Little (2-1—3) and Andrew Ladd (1-1—2) posted multiple points.

SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION

All Times Eastern
Chicago @ Buffalo, 1:00 p.m., SN, WGN, MSG-B
Calgary @ St. Louis, 3:00 p.m., SNW, FS-MW
Los Angeles @ Toronto, 7:00 p.m., CBC, FS-W
Anaheim @ New Jersey, 7:00 p.m., KCOP-13, MSG+
Carolina @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m., FS-CR, ROOT
Philadelphia @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m., CSN-PH, FS-O
Montreal @ Dallas, 7:00 p.m., NHLN-US, TVAS, CITY, FS-SW+
Minnesota @ Nashville, 8:00 p.m., FS-N, FS-WI, FS-TN
NY Islanders @ Arizona, 9:00 p.m., MSG+ 2, FS-A
Edmonton @ Colorado, 10:00 p.m., CBC,

FLAMES LOOK TO EXTEND STREAK IN ST. LOUIS

The Calgary Flames (15-14-2, 32 points) look to extend their winning streak to eight consecutive games when they visit the St. Louis Blues (19-10-4, 42 points) on Saturday. The Flames’ current winning streak (7-0-0) is their longest such run since Nov. 1-16, 2005 (8-0-0) and three games shy of the franchise record set Oct. 14 – Nov. 3, 1978, when the team was based in Atlanta (10-0-0).

THREE GAMES HIGHLIGHT HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA SCHEDULE

Two of the top teams in the NHL face-off when the League-leading (tied) Dallas Stars (23-7-2, 48 points) face the Atlantic Division leading Montreal Canadiens (20-10-3, 43 points) on CITY. In another early contest, the Pacific Division leading Los Angeles Kings (20-9-2, 42 points) – who hold a 7-1-2 record in their last 10 games – visit the Maple Leafs on CBC. Two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference meet in Saturday’s finale when the Edmonton Oilers – 7-3-0 in their last 10 games – visit the Colorado Avalanche, who also own a 7-3-0 record in their last 10 contests, including four straight wins.

Everything OOO-Vey, Canucks Get It Done, Beat Detroit 4-3 In Shootout

Posted on December 18, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 18, 2015

Vancouver had been shutout in two of their last three games, and in four of their last nine outings dating back to November 30.

Vancouver came into the game having lost their 3rd game in a row of the road trip, and their 6th straight on the road.

Their captain Henrik Sedin could not play and his consecutive games played ended at 126 games.

But Sedin replacement Linden Vey, a thorn against Detroit last season, rose to the occasion and scored in the seventh round of a shootout to give the Canucks (12-14-8), a 4-3 win against the Red Wings (16-9-7) tonight at Joe Louis Arena.

With the victory, Vancouver pulled into a 3rd place tie with Calgary in the Pacific division of the Western conference, with 32 points.

Sven Baertschi had two points ( 1-1=2). Jared McCann, his 7th and Radim Vrbata, his 10th, scored for Vancouver (12-14-8), which won for the third time in 11 games (3-6-2).

The Canucks won their first game of the 6 game road trip, ending their three game losing streak to start the trip; and ended their 6 game losing streak on the road going back to November. They are 1-3 with 5 GF and 15 GA.

Ryan Miller made 25 saves through overtime and six more in the shootout.

Vancouver power play was not powerful as it was 0 for 2, with 5 shots. Canucks penalty kill was a perfect 3 for 3, with Miller only facing 4 shots.

On the current road trip their power play is 0 for 8, while their penalty kill is 10 for 14, 71.4%.

The Canucks out shot the Red Wings in the opening period 17-5, and in the game 40-28. Vancouver has out shot their opponents on the current road trip 137-130.

Canucks did not draw well on face-offs as they were 22 for 62. Bo Horvat was 10 for 22; Linden Vey, 5 for 15; Adam Cracknell, 3 for 10; Jared McCann, 2 for 12.

Vancouver face-off win percentage on their present road trip, after 4 games of 6, is an embarrassing 37.9 % (96 for 253).

The Canucks, if things were not desperate for them as it is, have teams in their division with games in hand, that could result in Vancouver making it into the basement of their division sooner than later, if they do not start using the momentum of the win tonight to register more victories, starting Sunday against Florida:

Anaheim, currently in last place, has 4 games in hand
Los Angeles, Calgary and Arizona, have 3 games in hand
San Jose has 2 games in hand
Edmonton has 1 game in hand

NEXT GAME UP: AT FLORIDA PANTERS, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015

GAME REVIEW

CANUCKS AT A GLANCE

CANUCKS PLAYER STATS

Statistics courtesy of the NHL and Vancouver Canucks, with thanks.

Andrew Phillip Chernoff

The Outer Limits To The Inner Depths