The Stats Behind Game #66: Kraken 5, Canucks 2

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 5–2 loss to the Seattle Kraken. 

Had this game solely been measured by the first period, the Canucks would have won outright. They piled 17 scoring chances and eight high-danger scoring chances on the Kraken just in the first frame. The tide changed after that, however, as Seattle limited the Canucks to only 12 scoring chances throughout the rest of the game. This ultimately made the difference in tonight’s game, as Vancouver was unable to claw back from then. 

When it came to generating high-danger chances overall, Vancouver did a much better job of putting the puck in-tight to the net, as the majority of their chances came from around the net or near the slot. Seattle, on the other hand, put up chances all across the ice, with all five of their goals coming from different parts of the ice. 

Vancouver’s busiest line during this game was, without a doubt, the group of Drew O’Connor, Elias Pettersson, and Evander Kane. The trio played a team-high 14:07 minutes through the entire game and registered a CF% of 58.06%. While they did put up 11 scoring chances for the Canucks, they also allowed six against them. Impressively, however, 10 of these scoring chances-for were high-danger chances, while only two of their scoring chances-against were high-danger. 

In terms of individual performance, Tom Willander put up some notable stats in last night’s effort, playing a fourth-most 19:52 minutes through the game for the Canucks. He also had the highest CF% both overall (59.46%) and at 5-on-5 (65.63%). His individual scoring chance differential was also noticeable, as he put up 11 scoring-chances for and five scoring-chances against. 

Vancouver will resume their home stand on Tuesday night when the Florida Panthers roll into town. If Kevin Lankinen starts, this game will be his 200th career NHL game. Puck drop for Tuesday is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT. 

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