The Vancouver Canucks Just Got a Tough Reality Check Handed to Them by the NHL
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The Vancouver Canucks are in a dreadful spot, after only 15 games into the season while they are only a couple wins out of a playoff spot, their advanced stats have them at the very bottom of the NHL, their offence was expected to struggle, but their defence was something nobody thought would be this bad.
If it weren't for goaltender Thatcher Demko, the Canucks would be dead last in the standings too.
"As for Thatcher Demko, he also got some consideration for the award and even received first place votes from some of the Professional Hockey Writers Association members, who believe that he is playing his way onto the United States' Olympic roster, which is set to be announced in early January."-Jaxon
Canucks are dead last in key metrics.
Trevor Beggs of the Daily Hive reported on the abymsal goal expectancy of the Canucks this season. But even worse is there goals against expected, they have given up the third most scoring chances in the NHL so far this season. The Canucks were supposed to be one of the better defensive teams in the league but hasn't happened.
"Heading into the season, the concern was that the Canucks would struggle to score goals and create offence. That fear has been validated. Vancouver currently ranks 23rd overall in shots per game and 27th in actual goals scored. Inept offence from the Canucks isn't a surprise, but a leaky defence? That wasn't supposed to happen. So far this season, Vancouver has allowed the third-most scoring chances in the entire league at 5-on-5. Only the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks have been more permissive."-Beggs
The biggest disappointment has been Quinn Hughes defensively, who has been on the ice for 3.2 expected goals against per-60. This is the third highest on a team who's at the bottom of the league. This isn't entirely his fault, as the Canucks are also at the bottom of possession numbers, meaning Hughes has to defend that much more than other teams.
"It's not just Hughes, though. Aside from Marcus Pettersson, every Canucks defender has taken a notable step back defensively. Forwards like Jake DeBrusk and newcomer Lukas Reichel have also been shelled in terms of possession metrics. The only Canucks who have an expected goals above 50 per cent this season are Tom Willander and Filip Chytil."-Beggs
The Canucks have been pitiful this season so far, and the stats suggest it's going to stay this way the rest of the season. If head office doesn't make any changes it could be a very long season for the fans.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 7 | 1290 ANSWERS The Vancouver Canucks Just Got a Tough Reality Check Handed to Them by the NHL Will the Vancouver Canucks finish last in the NHL at the end of this season? | ||
| Yes | 363 | 28.1 % |
| No | 927 | 71.9 % |
| List of polls | ||