The Stats Behind Game #41: Canucks 3, Leafs 0
A look at some of the analytics from the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Welcome to this edition of the Vancouver Canucks post-game analytics report. This recurring deep dive breaks down the analytics behind each Canucks game as recorded by Natural Stat Trick. In this article, we look back on Vancouver's most recent 3-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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This game was incredibly close from an analytics perspective. Toronto won the even-strength scoring chances battle 14-13 and also finished, while the even-strength high-danger scoring chances were tied at four each. In the end, though, the Canucks were able to find the back of the net three times, which made the difference on Saturday night.
As for the heatmap, it shows just how low-event this game was. Vancouver allowed virtually no chances around their net and forced the Maple Leafs to shoot from distance regardless of the situation. From a defensive perspective, this may have been the Canucks best game, as they were able to shut out one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
As for Vancouver's best player, surprise, surprise, it was Quinn Hughes. The Canucks captain 23:28 at even-strength and finished the night with an xGF% of 76.81. Vancouver also held a 10-6 even-strength scoring chances advantage and won the even-strength high-danger scoring chances battle 3-0 with Hughes on the ice. It's been said many times this season, but these types of performances show not just that Hughes deserves the Norris but also why he should be in the Hart Trophy conversations.
To wrap things up, the trio of Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk had a strong night. During their 12:46 of ice time together, the Canucks outscored Toronto 1-0 and won the high-danger scoring chances battle by a 2-1 count. If this trio can continue to shut down other teams' top lines, it should help Vancouver become more consistent moving forward.
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