A look at some of the analytics from the Canucks 4-3 victory over the Hurricanes
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 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.
When diving into the analytics, one thing that stands out is the difference in play between the first and third periods. Through the first 20 minutes, the Canucks dominated not just on the shot clock but also when it came to creating chances. At even strength, they had a 10-6 advantage in scoring chances created and led 7-2 in high-danger chances created.
As for the third, the script was flipped as the Hurricanes stepped up their game. Pushing to tie the game, Carolina was able to generate ten scoring chances while giving up just two and held a 6-1 advantage in high-danger chances. While it is not ideal to allow your opponent to play most of the third period in your zone, it worked out for Vancouver against the Hurricanes, as they escaped with a one-goal win.
Heatmap by Natural Stat Trick, Van vs Car, Dec 9, 2023While the numbers are slightly skewed because of the third period, the Canucks first line of Sam Lafferty, Elias Pettersson and Ilya Mikheyev were fantastic against Carolina. In 10 minutes of ice time together, they outscored the Hurricanes 3-0 and had an xGF% of 54.49. This unexpected trio has found some chemistry together over the last few games as they continue to produce at both ends of the ice.
As for an individual player that stepped up, that would be defenceman Nikita Zadorov. Playing 15:34 at even strength, the Canucks newest defender helped limit Carolina to one high-danger chance and finished with an xGF% of 57.97. He also finished the night with two hits, one takeaway and one blocked shot, while most importantly, he was not on the ice for a goal against at any strength. Four games into Canuck career, it looks like he is not only fitting in stylistically but that head coach Rick Tocchet and his staff trust him in a matchup role.