A look at some of the analytics from the Canucks 2-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes.
Welcome to this edition of "The Stats Behind The Game." This recurring deep dive breaks down the analytics behind each Vancouver Canucks game as recorded by Natural Stat Trick. In this article, we look back on the Canucks most recent 2-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.
As has been the case many times this season, Vancouver played well for the first two periods, gained a lead, and then went into full defence mode in the third. Overall, the Canucks won the analytics battle leading in both even-strength scoring chances (23-18) and high-danger scoring chances (10-8) but were lucky to be leaving the desert with a regulation win. Maybe the most impressive part of the analytics was that all eight even-strength high-danger chances for the Coyotes came in the third, showing just how strong Vancouver was through the first 40 minutes and how they let their foot off the gas late despite only holding one-goal lead.
The heatmap for this game is very encouraging, as it showed the Canucks were not afraid to shoot the puck from anywhere. Vancouver holding onto pucks and waiting for the perfect play has been an issue all season, but against Arizona, they were willing to get pucks on the net and see what happens. While it only resulted in one goal, it is a positive and hopefully a trend they can continue for the rest of the season.
Heatmap by Natural Stat Trick, VAN vs ARI, Apr. 3, 2024Once again, Quinn Hughes was a star for the Canucks. Hughes finished the game with a goal and an assist while holding an xGF% of 78.01 at even strength. As for his play at even strength, Vancouver had a 12-2 scoring chances advantage and didn't allow a high-danger chance against when he was on the ice. Performances like this one not only show why Hughes is the team M.V.P. but also why he should be the Norris Trophy favourite this season.
Lastly, it was a strong game for Elias Pettersson, who finished the night with one assist. In 17:19 of even-strength ice time, he had an xGF% of 76.62, with the Canucks holding a 9-3 scoring chances advantage when he was on the ice. Pettersson also finished the night with three takeaways and two hits, showing that he had an impact at both ends of the ice.
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