CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 24, 2016
As the Vancouver Canucks look towards their final game of January and the approaching All-Star game, many people are already projecting who will, and will not, make the NHL playoffs at the end of the season.
I made my own point projection on the Canucks as to how they could and would finish back in the Fall.
I believe the Canucks will need at least 107 points to make the playoffs in 2016.
Most likely the Canucks will finish with 93 points, due to the youth movement and an unproven backup goaltender; and their inability to score timely goals. Also, of concern is their depth upfront to move players in and out to deal with scoring issues. You can only change lines so often during a game; and once again, you can only look to the farm team so much if you are going to make a shake up to boost an offense that is stalling. And stall it will.
Yet, I take the high road, and make this prediction:
Canucks to finish with 107 points, making the playoffs for the second straight season.
How will it be done? Hell, all they have to do is out work, out play, out shoot, out hit, and out chance their opponent’s both at home and on the road.
Unrealistic? Ye of little faith. Just Saying….
Now with most of the season already committed, and so few games remaining to make pre-season predictions a reality, it is fascinating to dwell on what it would take to make a person still hold out hope of being right.
At Hockey-Reference.com, they take the guess work out of it all, and make a well tested argument with a formula as to which teams will and will not make the playoffs, even projecting wins, losses, overtime losses, final points. Even best and worst case point finishes.
The Canucks it seems are mixed in with Anaheim, Calgary, Arizona for a 3rd place fight in the Pacific division and the last playoff spot.
It seems that Los Angeles and San Jose, are given the best chances of finishing 1rst and 2nd in the Pacific division, with 3rd and the last playoff position up for grabs between the above four teams.
Edmonton is projected to be eight to ten points out of playoff contention at season end.
So, taking the records as they stand today; strength of schedule; average goal differential, the computer digests all the information and spits out a prediction devoid of future variables not able to be taken into consideration at that particular moment of time.
In this case, as illustrated below, Arizona is projected to take the last playoff spot in the Pacific division, with the Canucks to just miss it, based on less wins primarily, due to both teams being equal on projected point totals.
The Canucks do have 5-games against the San Jose Sharks, a best of 5 playoff you could say, that might prove very interesting to both teams chances of being able to secure playoff positions. Four of those games are in March.
The games Vancouver faces against San Jose, Arizona, Calgary and Anaheim in February, March and April are as follows:
FEBRUARY 2016
San Jose: Sunday, 28th at VAN
Arizona: Wednesday, 10th in ARI
Calgary: Saturday, 7th at VAN; Friday, 19th in CAL
Anaheim: Thursday, 18th at VAN
MARCH 2016
San Jose: Thursday, 3rd at VAN; Saturday, 5th in SJS; Tuesday, 29th at VAN; Thursday, 31rst in SJS
Arizona: Wednesday, 9th at VAN
APRIL 2016
Calgary: Thursday, 7th in CAL
Anaheim: Friday, 1rst in ANA
Canucks Playoff Probabilities – As of January 24, 2016 12pm PST
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 23, 2016
The Vancouver Canucks (20-18-11) played the final game of their 6-game road trip today against the Pittsburgh Penguins (23-17-7) at Consol Energy Center in a matinee game.
The Canucks were going for their fourth win of the road trip, after losing in Washington in regulation and the Rangers in overtime; defeating Carolina in overtime, the Islanders in a shoot out; and Boston in regulation.
The Penguins were trying to extend their current streak, 4-0-2 at home, to seven games with a fifth win.
The Canucks looked in complete control of their own destiny for forty-seven minutes and sixteen seconds (47:16), until Vancouver seemed completely disheveled by Linden Vey scoring on his own net, and in 5:44 of game time, the Canucks went from having a two goal, 3-1 lead, to falling behind by a goal, 4-3, to the Penguins.
“There were a lot of opportunities, so we only have ourselves to blame that we didn’t get the 2 points.”-Jannick Hansen after 5-4 loss
Source: Canucks Twitter
The two teams would exchange goals after Pittsburgh got their first lead of the game, with the Penguins winning 5 to 4.
With the win, the Penguins extended their current streak at home to 5-0-2. The Canucks would finish their road trip with a record of 3-2-1.
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 23: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins moves the puck between the defense of Ryan Miller #30 and Emerson Etem #26 of the Vancouver Canucks at Consol Energy Center on January 23, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)
Evgeni Malkin had a hat trick, for 23 goals on the season, for the Penguins; Sidney Crosby scored his 16th goal of the season; Bryan Rust scored his 2nd of the season; Kris Letang had two assists.
Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 28 of 32 shots for a .875Sv%.
“After I scored my goal, everything seemed just like a blur after that. It was really disappointing.”-BoHorvat after the game, trying to understand what happened
Source: Canucks Twitter
Jannick Hansen chipped in with a hat trick, for 15 goals on the season; Bo Horvat, scored his 9th of the season (7th goal in his last 12 games); Ben Hutton had two assists (1-3=4 in 8 last 8 games played); Alex Edler and Derek Dorsett had helpers in consecutive games; Chris Tanev had an assist (1-6=7 in last 14 games played); Luca Sbisa got his first point since his return to the line up; Mike Zalewski, got his first assist as a Canuck.
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 23: Jannik Hansen #36 of the Vancouver Canucks moves the puck up ice in front of Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on January 23, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)
Ryan Miller stopped 25 of 29 shots for a .862 Sv%.
Miller heads home with a record of 1-2-1 on the road trip, with a 2.75 GAA and a .941 Sv%. In his last 14 games, Miller is 5-6-3, with a 2.98 and a .916 Sv%.
Jannick Hansen scored the opening goal of the game at twenty seven seconds, as the Canucks wasted little time taking advantage of their first shot of the game. Hansen, his 13th of the season, assisted by Alex Edler (14).
That goal made it the second straight game Vancouver scored the opening goal on their first shot of the game.
It was also the 5th straight game (and 5th straight road game), that the Canucks scored the opening goal of a game after going 8 consecutive games with their opponents scoring the first goal of the game.
Halfway through the period, Canucks not only had the lead but were 4 for 6 on face-offs; out hitting the Penguins 8 to 2; Horvat, 3 for 4 on face-offs; Vey, 2 for 2. Edler and Zalewski 2 hits each.
Penguin defense had problems with Canuck speed and size as McCann and Hansen had great attempts to add to the Vancouver lead.
Pittsburgh would get the first power play of the game at 15:51 when Daniel Sedin would get caught for hooking on Kevin Porter.
It would be the Canucks who would score though, a shorthanded goal, with Derek Dorsett and Jannick Hansen teaming up on a 2 on 1, with Hansen scoring his second goal of the period after Dorsett’s shot hit the crossbar and Hansen popped in the loose puck. Hansen, his 14th of the season, on a backhand shot, assisted by Derek Dorsett (6) and Chris Tanev (9) at 16:35.
After one period:
Canucks leading 2-0
Canucks were 7 for 13 on faceoffs; Vey, 3 for 5; Horvat, 4 for 6.
Canucks out hit Penguins 12 to 10.
Vancouver out shot Pittsburgh 10 to 9
Canucks had 4 takeaways; 1 giveaway; 5 blocked shots.
Jannick Hansen had 3 shots; Edler had 3 hits
Canucks shorthanded goal was the 3rd of the season.
In the second period, Vancouver continued to utilize their speed and play making skills to get scoring opportunities, but the momentum they were developing would soon come to an end.
Canucks would get penalized for the second time in the game for tripping as Mike Zalewski would go off at 2:56.
Pittsburgh would get a 1:08 two man advantage when Alex Burrows would get a penalty for hooking at 3:48. Pittsburgh would score with the 5 on 3, as Evgeni Malkin would get his 21rst of the season,on a slap shot, assisted by Kris Letang (25) and Sidney Crosby (25) at 3:54.
Vancouver would continue to get into penalty trouble in the period, as Matt Bartkowski would go off at 6:43 for cross checking, giving the Penguins their third straight power play of the period.
Daniel Sedin would have a great opportunity to put Vancouver up by two again but Marc-Andre Fleury would make a great save on his shot, to keep it a one goal game.
As the period neared an end, Pittsburgh increased its shot lead over Vancouver, 8 to 4, as Miller was getting more action in his end.
Jannick Hansen broke in on Fleury with a chance for a hat trick goal in the final minute of the period but he would be denied his third goal to put Vancouver up by two goals.
After two periods:
Canucks leading 2-1,
Canucks out shooting Penguins 19-18.
Vancouver 16 for 29 of faceoffs (10 for 17 in defensive zone). Vey, 5 for 9; Horvat, 8 for 13; McCann, 2 for 4.
Pittsburgh out hitting Canucks 29 to 22.
Vancouver with 2 giveaways; 4 takeaways; 12 blocked shots.
Jannick Hansen 4 shots; 6 other Canucks with 2 shots each.
Alex Edler, 6 hits; 6 other Canucks with 2 hits each.
The Penguins came out motivated to even up the game, taking their game to the Canucks right off the third period face-off.
Penguins pressure would lead to a Pittsburgh power play as Luca Sbisa would get two minutes for tripping at 1:30.
Jannick Hansen and Bo Horvat would go in on Fleury while shorthanded, for a great opportunity to score, as Hansen would set up Horvat but Fleury would stop Horvat cold.
Miller would stop Patric Hornqvist on a great scoring attempt on a set up by Sidney Crosby, after not producing on their man advantage, to once again, keep it a one goal game.
Bo Horvat, over the glove of Marc-Andre Fleury, would make it 3-1 Vancouver at the six minute mark, with his 9th goal of the season, assisted by Ben Hutton (11) and Luca Sbisa (4).
The Penguins would respond with a goal of their own, as Linden Vey would score on his own net, putting Pittsburgh within a goal at 3-2 Canucks.
Evgeni Malkin got credit for the goal, his 22nd of the season, unassisted, at 7:16
Evgeni Malkin would get his hat trick goal, on a sloppy line change by Vancouver, as he would pick up a loose puck that no Canuck would touch, to even up the game at 3-3, as Vancouver continued their third period implosion.
Malkin, his 23rd of the season, at 10:22, assisted by Phil Kessel (16) and Trevor Daley (9).
The Penguins would make their comeback complete and finally get their first lead of the game, 4-3, at the thirteen minute mark, from Bryan Rust, his 2nd goal of the season, who would sweep the puck in on net, assisted by Tom Kuhnhackl (1).
The Canucks seemed completely disheveled by Linden Vey scoring on his own net, and in less than five minutes of game time, went from a two goal lead, to falling behind by a goal.
The Canucks would receive their first power play in two games, at 16:24, when Brian Dumoulin would go off for tripping.
With twenty seconds left in the power play, the Canucks would pull Ryan Miller for a two man advantage but the extra man would not benefit Vancouver, but it would Pittsburgh.
Sidney Crosby would score an empty netter to make it 5-3 Penguins, putting an exclamation on their victory………or would it. Crosby, his 16th, at 18:37 , assisted by Carl Hagelin (11) and Kris Letang (26).
Jannick Hansen, would get his hat trick goal before the final buzzer, at 19:43 , assisted by Mike Zalewski (1) and Ben Hutton (12) but time would run out insuring a Penguins victory, as Pittsburgh defeated Vancouver 5-4.
CANUCKS JOTTINGS
Canucks were 27 for 48 on face-offs. Vey, 8 for 15; Horvat, 13 for 21; McCann, 4 for 8.
Vancouver out shot Pittsburgh 32-30.
Canucks were out hit, 35 to 26.
Vancouver had, 5 giveaways; 8 takeaways; 15 blocked shots.
Canucks were 0 for 1 on the power play; 4 for 5 on the penalty kill.
Jannick Hansen led the Canucks in shots with 7; Bo Horvat had 4.
Alex Edler led Vancouver with 6 hits; Mike Zalewski and Alex Burrows had 3 each.
The Canucks are 6-3-2=14 points in 11 games in 2016.
Canucks had four goals for the second consecutive game. Prior to the last two games, the last time Vancouver had scored four goals in a game was on December 20 in an OT loss to Florida, 5-4: a total of 13 games.
Canucks have scored the opening goal in five straight games:
Jannick Hansen, January 23rd against Pittsburgh
Sven Baertschi, January 21rst against Boston
Sven Baertschi, January 19th against New York Rangers
Ben Hutton, January 17th against New York Islanders
Linden Vey, January 15th against Carolina Hurricanes
The standings below as of 1:45 pm PST.
The Canucks at this time are in 3rd in the Pacific division awaiting results from other action today involving other Pacific division teams.
GAME REVIEW
CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS
WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS
As of 1:45 pm PST
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS
As of 1:45 pm PST
STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 22, 2016
The Vancouver Canucks (20-17-11) play the final game of their 6-game road trip tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins (22-17-7) at Consol Energy Center on Saturday 9:30 am PST in a matinee game.
The Canucks are going for their fourth win of the road trip, after losing in Washington in regulation and the Rangers in overtime; defeating Carolina in overtime, the Islanders in a shoot out; and Boston in regulation.
The Canucks have surrendered 12 goals on the trip; 41.4 shots against per game; and killed off 8 of 9 penalties for 88.9 percent. They are also averaging 2.2 goals and 25 shots per game, on the road trip, with one game left. Canucks power play is 1 for 8, 12.5 percent. Face-off win percentage is 46.1 percent.
The Penguins will try to extend their current streak, 4-0-2 at home, to seven games with a fifth win. The Penguins are 12-7-4 on home ice this season.
Ryan Miller will start in net for the Canucks. He is 1-1-1 on the road trip, with a 2.25 GAA and a .949 Sv%. In his last 13 games, Miller is 5-5-3, with a 2.90 and a .919 Sv%.
Marc-Andre Fleury has posted a 2.48 goals-against average in winning five straight starts over the Canucks, including a 3-2 road victory on November 4.
Jeff Zatkoff may start instead in order for Fleury to start Sunday at Washington. The NHL will determine the status of that game Saturday morning.
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 17: Ryan Miller #30 of the Vancouver Canucks makes a save on Ryan Strome #18 of the New York Islanders during the game at the Barclays Center on January 17, 2016 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Canucks have recorded consecutive wins just once in its past 11, going 6-5.
The Canucks are 9-3-3 in their last 15 games; and 5-1-2 on the road in their last 8 games.
Vancouver is 12-9-6 against Eastern Conference teams; and 6-5-2 against the Metropolitan division.
The Penguins are 3-5-2 vs. Pacific Division teams and are 9-10-3 vs. Western Conference opponents.
In their last game, Jacob Markstrom stopped 28 of 30 shots for the Canucks for a .933 Sv%; Sven Baertschi, had his 4rth goal in 6 games (9th of the season); Alex Burrows, had his 2nd goal in consecutive games (7th of the season); Linden Vey had 2 assists; but it was Daniel Sedin who rose up with two unanswered goals to put the game away for Vancouver, the last one an empty netter, as the Canucks finally won their 20th game of the season, defeating Boston 4 to 2.
With the two goals, Daniel Sedin took over top spot in Canucks All-Time goal scoring, recording his 347th and 348th goals of his career, all in a Canucks uniform, surpassing Markus Naslund. The goals were his 20th and 21rst of the season.
Bo Horvat, Radim Vrbata, Alex Edler, Chris Tanev, Jannick Hansen and Derek Dorsett, also had helpers in the Vancouver victory, improving their record on the road trip to 3-1-1.
CANUCKS JOTTINGS
In 2016, so far:
Bo Horvat has 11 points in 10 games (6-5=11)
Horvat has scored 37.5% of the Canucks’ goals in this span.
Henrik Sedin has 4 points in 8 games (0-4=4)
Sven Baertschi has 6 points in 8 games (4-2=6)
Chris Tanev has 5 points in 10 games (1-4=5)
Daniel Sedin has 6 points in 10 games (5-1=6)
Daniel Sedin has 5 goals in 10 games.
Shooting Percentage:
Sven Baertschi: 44.4 percent
Bo Horvat: 27.3 percent
Chris Tanev: 25 percent
Daniel Sedin: 14.7 percent
Alex Burrows: 11.8 percent
Jake Virtanen: 10 percent
Canucks record in 2016:
6-2-2=14 PTS in 10 games played (tied for 4th best in the NHL)
They have 22 goals for; 23 goals against.
They are 5 for 24 on the power play for 20.8 percent (8th best in the NHL)
Their penalty killing is 17 for 20, 85.0 ( 12th best in the NHL)
Face-off winning percentage is 44.9 percent.
Canucks are averaging 2.35 goals per game. For an 82 game schedule the estimate is Vancouver will finish with 193 goals. The least number of goals ever scored by a Vancouver team in a full season of 82 games are 192 by the 1998-99 Canucks.
Canucks penalty kill is a killer at 26 for 30, 86.7 percent in their last 8 road games shorthanded. And 41 for 54 in their last 14 road games shorthanded, 75.9 percent.
Vancouver’s power play is 1 for 19, 5.3 percent in their last 10 road games with the man advantage.
Vancouver has points in 16 of its last 25 (11-9-5=27 pts) & 21 of its last 35 games (14-14-7=35 pts).
Vancouver had scored a power play goal in five straight games, where they have had at least one man advantage; they were 5 for 16 during that stretch, 31.3 percent, which ended against the Islanders.
Canucks power play is 5 for 21 in their last 7 games with the man advantage, for 23.8 percent.
Radim Vrbata collected his 41st career shootout goal Jan. 17/16 at NYI. He shares the lead for most shootout goals in League history with Frans Nielsen. 13 of those have been GDG, which ranks t-9th in League history.
The Canucks have registered at least a point in 13 of 14 games where Sven Baertschi has notched at least a point (7-1=8).
The Canucks are tied for 2nd place in the Pacific division of the Western Conference, ahead of Arizona and tied with San Jose, with 51 points. Vancouver are 4 points ahead of Anaheim and 10 points behind the first place Los Angeles Kings.
In their last game, the Penguins hosted Philadelphia on Thursday night and defeated the Flyers 4-3. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 of 32 shots for the win.
PITTSBURGH PENGUIN NOTES
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 2.5 goals per game and are scoring on 19.5 percent of their power plays.
Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.5 goals per game and are killing 83.2 percent of their power play chances.
Penguins are 4-2-3 in their last 9 games.
Sidney Crosby has 20 points (9-11=20) in his last 17 games played. In his first 28 games, he had 19 points (6-13=19) in 28 games prior.
Sidney Crosby is riding a 5 game point streak entering tonight’s game. Crosby has 8 points (3G-5A) during the streak.
Carl Hagelin has 6 points (1G-5A) in his last 7 games played between Pittsburgh and Anaheim.
Pittsburgh has fired at least 30 shots on goal for 16 of 18 games under head coach Mike Sullivan.
The Penguins are in 5th place in the Metropolitan division, 22 points behind Washington who occupy top spot with 73 points. They are 5 points out of 3rd place and 6 points from 2nd place in the division.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Canucks 6-game road trip has been visiting Eastern Conference opponents:
Thursday, January 14 against the Washington Captials: 1-4 Loss
Friday, January 15 against the Carolina Hurricanes: 3-2 OT Win
Sunday, January 17 against the New York Islanders: 2-1 SO Win
Tuesday, January 19 against the New York Rangers: 2-3 OT Loss
Thursday, January 21 against the Boston Bruins: 4-2 Win
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 21, 2016
Daniel Sedin Becomes All-Time Goals Leader With 347th and 348th Against Bruins
The Vancouver Canucks (20-17-11) played the fifth game of their 6-game road trip tonight against the Boston Bruins ( 24-17-5) at TD Garden.
The Canucks were going for their third win of the road trip, and the Boston Bruins were trying to extend their winning streak to four games.
Jacob Markstrom stopped 28 of 30 shots for the Canucks for a .933 Sv%; Sven Baertschi, had his 4rth goal in 6 games (9th of the season); Alex Burrows, had his 2nd goal in consecutive games (7th of the season); Linden Vey had 2 assists; but it was Daniel Sedin who rose up with two unanswered goals to put the game away for Vancouver, the last one an empty netter, as the Canucks finally won their 20th game of the season, defeating Boston 4 to 2.
With the two goals, Daniel Sedin took over top spot in Canucks All-Time goal scoring, recording his 347th and 348th goals of his career, all in a Canucks uniform, surpassing Markus Naslund. The goals were his 20th and 21rst of the season.
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 17: Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks prepares to skate against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on January 17, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Canucks defeated the Islanders 2-1 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Sedin, the No. 2 pick in the 1999 NHL Draft, scored his 348 goals in 1,109 games. He last scored four games ago, against the Florida Panthers on Jan. 11. Naslund scored his in 884 games for Vancouver, which acquired the left wing in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 20, 1996.
Sedin, a left wing, has 21 goals in 48 games this season; he had 20 in 82 games last season.
Source: canucks.nhl.com
Bo Horvat, Radim Vrbata, Alex Edler, Chris Tanev, Jannick Hansen and Derek Dorsett, also had helpers in the Vancouver victory, improving their record on the road trip to 3-1-1, with one game left.
In 2016, Canucks point leaders:
Bo Horvat: 6-5=11
Linden Vey: 1-5=6
Daniel Sedin: 5-1=6
Sven Baertschi: 4-2=6
Chris Tanev: 1-4=5
Radim Vrbata: 1-3=4
Henrik Sedin: 0-4=4
Alex Burrows:; 2-1=3
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 21: Alex Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks, second from right, celebrates wiht Luca Sbisa #5 and Linden Vey #7 after scoring against the Boston Bruins during the third period at TD Garden on January 21, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Canucks defeat the Bruins 4-2. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Jacob Markstrom improved his record in 2016 to 5-1-1 in 7 games played, for a 2.08 GAA and .931 Sv%. He has won both his games on the road trip and has a 1.95 GAA and .943 Sv% from those games.
Since December 22, Markstrom has an impressive record of 7-2-1 in 10 games started, and a 2.14 GAA, and .930 Sv%; averaging 31.6 shots against.
The Canucks move into 2nd place in the Pacific division of the Western Conference, ahead of Arizona and tied with San Jose, with 51 points. Vancouver are 4 points ahead of Anaheim and 10 points behind the first place Los Angeles Kings.
“Yeah, I mean, it hasn’t been pretty. That’s for sure,” Sedin said. “But we’ve got to remember, too, the amount of injuries we’ve had, and guys have stepped up in our lineup, and playing roles that maybe it’s tough for the guy stepping into, and they’ve done a great job. I think we’re working hard, we’re trying and doing our best, and the main thing is we’re doing it for each other. That’s a good feeling.”
Source: canucks.nhl.com
CANUCKS JOTTINGS
The Canucks are 6-2-2=14 points in 10 games in 2016.
The last time the Canucks had four goals in a game before tonight was on December 20 in an OT loss to Florida, 5-4: a total of 13 games.
Neither team had a power play tonight. This is the first time this season, that has happened in a Canucks hockey game.
Canucks were 33 for 61 on face-offs, for 54.1 percent. Mike Zalewski was 5 for 7; Bo Horvat, 10 for 17; Linden Vey, 13 for 20.
Linden Vey and Daniel Sedin had 4 shots each to lead Vancouver.
Alex Edler led the Canucks with 5 hits; Jake Virtanen and Matt Bartkowski had 3 hits each.
Chris Tanev had 3 blocked shots; Chris Tanev had 2 blocked shots.
Emerson Etem led the Canucks with 4 giveaways in the game. The team had a total of 20 giveaways to the Bruins 23.
GAME REVIEW
CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS
WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANDINGS
STATISTICS COURTESY OF THE NHL AND VANCOUVER CANUCKS
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 21, 2016
The Vancouver Canucks (19-17-11) play the fifth game of their 6-game road trip tonight against the Boston Bruins ( 24-16-5) at TD Garden.
The Canucks are going for their third win of the road trip, after losing in Washington in regulation and the Rangers in overtime; defeating Carolina in overtime, and the Islanders in a shoot out.
Coach Desjardins confirmed this morning that Jacob Markstrom starts in net and both Jake Virtanen & Mike Zalewski will be in the lineup tonight in Boston.
The Boston Bruins will try to extend their current winning streak to four games. The Bruins are 10-11-2 on home ice.
The Bruins are looking to win four straight games for the 1st time since a season-high 5-game win streak from November 19-27; and are looking to win consecutive home games for the first time since winning 3 straight on home ice from November 19-27.
The Canucks have recorded consecutive wins just once in its past 10, going 5-5.
Vancouver’s Bo Horvat has been red hot in 2016, and sits tied for 8th place in NHL scoring with 10 points (6-4=10 PTS), courtesy of points in 7 of this last 8 games of the year. He is also tied for 3rd in most goals in the New Year with his 6 goals, with three others.
The Canucks are 8-3-3 in their last 14 games; and 4-1-2 on the road in their last 7 games.
Vancouver is 11-9-6 against Eastern Conference teams; and 5-4-4 against the Atlantic division.
The Bruins are 3-1-3 vs. Pacific Division teams and are 5-6-3 vs. Western Conference opponents.
Goalie Ryan Miller is 1-1-1 in three starts during the road trip and has stopped 129 of 136 shots (.948 save percentage).
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 11: Christopher Tanev #8 of the Vancouver Canucks turns to watch Jacob Markstrom #25 of the Canucks make a save against the Florida Panthers during their NHL game at Rogers Arena January 11, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 3-2. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
“It’s not that our guys haven’t battled,” he said. “They have blocked shots, guys have worked hard. It’s a matter of playing with confidence. It seems we are not confident when [we are] going to make a play and as a result we are hesitating a little bit.”–Coach Willie Desjardins
Source: canucks.nhl.com
In their last game, Ryan Miller made 46 saves for the Canucks, but it was not enough, as the Rangers tied the game up at 2-2 late in the game, forcing overtime, where the Rangers scored, to take the game 3-2.
The Canucks had goals from Sven Baertschi and Alex Burrows.
For Burrows, it was his first goal in 26 games. Bo Horvat, got his 10th point in his last 7 games (6-4=9); Sven Baertschi, notched his 3rd goal in his last 6 games (3-2=5). And Emerson Etem registered his first point in his 5th game as a Canuck, against his old team.
Ryan Miller was the first NHL goaltender to face at least 48 SOG in each of two consecutive team games (Jan. 17 at NYI and Jan. 19 at NYR) in one season since the Kings’ Kelly Hrudey did so on Dec. 3-5/91. He was the first to do that in each of two consecutive personal games in one season since Florida’s Tomas Vokoun on Dec. 23 and Dec. 31/10 (Courtesy Elias Sports)
Vancouver allowed an average of 30.1 shots and gave up 40 or more five times prior to this trip, during which it’s yielded 44.3 while going 2-1-1. Two nights after giving up a season-high 48 in a 2-1 shootout win over the New York Islanders, the Canucks allowed 49 shots in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Rangers.
The 97 shots are the second-highest total in the league in a two-game span dating to 1989-90. Vancouver has allowed at least 40 shots in four straight games, its most since at least the start of that 1989-90 season.
The Canucks surrendered 10 goals on the trip and have killed off 8 of 9 penalties for 88.9 percent. They are also averaging 1.75 goals and 24.5 shots per game, on the road trip, with two games left. Canucks power play is 1 for 8, 12.5 percent.
CANUCKS JOTTINGS
In 2016, so far:
Bo Horvat has 10 points in 9 games (6-4=10)
Horvat has scored 37.5% of the Canucks’ goals in this span.
Henrik Sedin has 4 points in 8 games (0-4=4)
Sven Baertschi has 5 points in 7 games (3-2=5)
Chris Tanev has 4 points in 9 games (1-3=4)
Daniel Sedin has 4 points in 9 games (3-1=4)
Daniel Sedin has 3 goals in 9 games.
Canucks record in 2016:
5-2-2=12 PTS in 9 games played (tied for 5th best in the NHL)
They have 18 goals for; 19 goals against.
They are 5 for 24 on the power play for 20.8 percent (9th best in the NHL)
Their penalty killing is 17 for 20, 85.0 ( 14th best in the NHL)
Face-off winning percentage is 43.9 percent.
Canucks are averaging 2.40 goals per game. For an 82 game schedule the estimate is Vancouver will finish with 197 goals. The least number of goals ever scored by a Vancouver team in a full season of 82 games are 192 by the 1998-99 Canucks.
Canucks penalty kill is a killer at 26 for 30, 86.7 percent in their last 8 road games. And 41 for 54 in their last 14 road games, 75.9 percent.
Vancouver’s power play is 1 for 19, 5.3 percent in their last 10 road games.
Vancouver has points in 15 of its last 24 (10-9-5=25 pts) & 20 of its last 34 games (13-14-7=33 pts).
Vancouver had scored a power play goal in five straight games, where they have had at least one man advantage; they were 5 for 16 during that stretch, 31.3 percent, which ended against the Islanders.
Canucks power play is 5 for 21 in their last 7 games, for 23.8 percent.
Radim Vrbata collected his 41st career shootout goal Jan. 17/16 at NYI. He shares the lead for most shootout goals in League history with Frans Nielsen. 13 of those have been GDG, which ranks t-9th in League history.
Alex Edler leads the team in time on ice per game (24:35) and has led the team in that category in 42 of 46 games he’s played, including 22 games where he’s led all skaters in TOI. He currently ranks 17th in the NHL in TOI/GP
Chris Tanev leads the team and ranks seventh in the League in blocked shots with 105. His defence partner Alex Edler ranks 11th in the NHL with 99 blocked shots
Canucks players aged 23 or younger that have appeared in the lineup thus far (Baertschi, Horvat, Hutton, Virtanen, McCann, Gaunce, Shinkaruk, Pedan and Etem) have accounted for 22.5% of points (66), 24.8% of goals (27), 21.2% of assists (39), and 22.5% of shots (303) for the team this season
The Canucks have registered at least a point in 12 of 13 games where Sven Baertschi has notched at least a point (6-1-6).
Vancouver has had 152 power play opportunities to date, sixth most of any team in the League; they have won 157 draws while on the power play, t-fifth most in the NHL
The Canucks are in 4rth place in the Pacific division of the Western Conference, tied with Arizona and San Jose for 2nd place with 49 points. Vancouver are 2 points in front of Anaheim and 12 points behind the first place Los Angeles Kings.
In their last game, the Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadians 4-1 on January 19 in Montreal for their third straight win for the first time since mid-December. For the Canadiens, the loss marked their fifth straight defeat. Tuukka Rask, made 38 saves on 39 shots.
Max Talbot had a goal, Patrice Bergeron potted the game-winner, David Pastrnak added an assist and an insurance goal; and Brad Marchand made it 4-1 win with an empty-netter.
Boston has outscored opponents by an 11-4 margin on its current winning streak, ending a stretch in which it posted just two wins in its previous 10 games, including just one victory in its past five on home ice.
BOSTON BRUINS NOTES
Bruins are 9-3-3 in their last 15 road contests.
Point Streaks
BRAD MARCHAND (2-1-3 / 3 Games)
PATRICE BERGERON (3-0-3 / 2 Games)
The Bruins have allowed two power play goals over their last 19 games and are 53 for 55 for a 96.4% penalty killing proficiency over that span.
The Bruins are in 4rth place in the Atlantic division of the Eastern Conference, with 53 points, a point behind Detroit and Tampa Bay who occupy 3rd and 2nd respectively with 54 points each. Florida is in 1rst place, 4 points in front of Boston. Ottawa and Montreal are three points back of the Bruins with 50 points each.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Canucks 6-game road trip has been visiting Eastern Conference opponents:
Thursday, January 14 against the Washington Captials: 1-4 Loss
Friday, January 15 against the Carolina Hurricanes: 3-2 OT Win
Sunday, January 17 against the New York Islanders: 2-1 SO Win
Tuesday, January 19 against the New York Rangers: 2-3 OT Loss
Tonight, January 21 against the Boston Bruins
Saturday, January 23 against the Pittsburgh Penguins
CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff January 24, 2016
VANCOUVER CANUCK STATISTICS COURTESY OF Hockey-Reference.com
Andrew Phillip Chernoff 