The Stats Behind The Game: Canucks 4, Lightning 1

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 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Vancouver's win over Tampa Bay was the perfect example of a team making the most of their opportunities early and then playing prevent defence in the third. While the team was slow to start the game, the Canucks made up for it with a strong second, where they had a 12-4 advantage in scoring chances and a 4-0 lead in high-danger scoring chances while at even strength. Leading 3-1 after two, they played a park-the-bus style of hockey in the third, which is why the Lightning had the dominant analytics in the period and the overall game. 

As for a line that stuck out, it would be Vancouver's trio of Nils Höglander, J.T. Miller, and Brock Boeser. In 11:12 of time on ice, the Canucks outshot Tampa Bay 6-4, and the line held an xGF% of 68.72. They also limited the Lighting to just two high-danger chances despite being matched up mostly against the Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov line. This trio continues to build chemistry and has once again shown that they can match up with any line in the NHL. 

From an individual perspective, one player that had a strong game was Conor Garland. Playing 12:43 at even strength, his three shots on goal were tied with Boeser for the team lead, and he was one of four players to be credited with a takeaway. He also finished the night with an xGF% of 68.77, with Vancouver creating five scoring chances compared to giving up zero while he was on the ice. While there will be discussions surrounding his low-point production, he continues to provide positive value to this lineup.

Make sure to check back Friday after the game against the Florida Panthers for another edition of "The Stats Behind The Game."