The Vancouver Canucks enter the 2024 All-Star Break with a record of 33-11-5.
The Vancouver Canucks enter the 2024 All-Star Break with a record of 33-11-5.
The Vancouver Canucks enter the 2024 All-Star break as the top team in the NHL. This season, they have compiled a record of 33-11-5 and are 12 points away from matching their total from 2022-23. Now considered a Stanley Cup contender by most outlets, here is a look back at the first 49 games of the 2023-24 season.
Arguably, the most impressive statistic so far is that Vancouver is 29-0-1 when leading after two periods. They are the only team with 25 or more wins when leading after two periods and have a league-high win percentage of .967. A big reason for the success is their first-period play. They are the only team to eclipse 60 first-period goals this season and have outscored their opposition 62-37 through the first 20 minutes. The Canucks are then usually able to add to their lead in the second, as evidenced by their 65-44 advantage in the middle frame and play prevent defence until the final whistle. Spending so much time defending leads should be handy for Vancouver come playoff time, as they will grind out wins if they have their sights on a long postseason run.
Moving over the defensive side, the Canucks enter the All-Star break ranked second in goals against per game at 2.55. For comparison, that is the eighth lowest in franchise history, and if they can sustain this pace, it would be the first time in over a decade they are below 2.60. This is a testament to not just Vancouver's system, which limits high-danger chances, but also the stellar play of both goaltenders this season.
Speaking of goaltenders, Thatcher Demko is one of the main reasons behind the Canucks success this season. Through 35 games, he sits second in the league in wins with 26 and is tied for the league lead in shutouts with five. He also sits in the top ten in save percentage and goals against, while according to BETMGM, Vancouver's starter has the second-best odds of winning the Vezina trophy. Not only is he dominating the NHL this season, but he is also slowly making his way up the franchise's all-time records list and is on pace to become the second goaltender in Canucks history to win 40 games in a season.
Not only does Vancouver have one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, but they also have multiple skaters on pace to set new career highs. J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson are both on pace for over 100 points, while Brock Boeser could become the third player in franchise history and the first since Pavel Bure in 1997-98 to eclipse the 50-goal mark. Whether it is the top ends player or depth pieces like Dakota Joshua, Pius Suter and Nils Höglander, the Canucks are getting standout performances throughout their lineup, which is something they have been missing for the majority of the past decade.
While many players are on pace to establish new career highs, no one on the team has had a more impressive season than Quinn Hughes. With 62 points in 49 games, Vancouver's captain enters the All-Star break ranked ninth in league scoring. He is on pace for 84 assists, which would break Henrik Sedin's franchise record and could become the seventh defenceman in NHL history to eclipse 100 points in a season. The current favourite to win this year's Norris Trophy, he is leading by example and continues to show why he is one of the most talented players in the NHL.
When breaking down this Canucks team, arguably the most impressive part is the accountability within the players and coaching staff. Even though they continue to collect points, this team rarely seems satisfied with their play. Whether in post-game scrums or game-day comments, players and head coach Rick Tocchet consistently bring up that they need to play a full 60 minutes to be successful. Clearly, this team has a playoff mindset and is ready to do whatever it takes to become one of the hardest teams to play against in the NHL.
While there are still 33 games to play in 2023-24, Vancouver has done enough to all but secure a spot in the 2024 postseason. It has been a remarkable start to the year that also featured five players plus Tocchet being selected for the 2024 Al-Star Game. If they can continue their success post-All-Star break, Canucks fans could be in store for a special run this Spring.
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