A look at some of the analytics from the Canucks 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers.
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 6-3 win over the New York Rangers.
Based on the analytics, this was a game the Vancouver stole primarily because they could take advantage of their opportunities. At even strength, the Rangers led in shots (36-26), scoring chances (29-21) and high-danger scoring chances (15-9). While New York held the edge in these categories, the Canucks did walk away with the xGF% edge at 55.58, proving that quality over quantity is the best policy.
Looking at the heatmap for this game shows why Vancouver was successful in the offensive zone. The majority of their shots came from in close, as the Canucks finished with an average goal differential of 13 feet. This heatmap also illustrates how good Thatcher Demko was as, even though the Rangers were causing havoc in his crease, he was able to stand his ground and keep Vancouver in the game.
Heatmap by Natural Stat Trick, Van vs Nyr, Jan 8, 2023As for one player who stood out, that would be Brock Boeser. The Canucks leader in even-strength ice time among forwards at 19:22, he led Vancouver in shots with five, individual high-danger chances with three and individual xGF at 1.08. He also threw a hit, blocked a shot and finished the night with a goal and two assists. Now, up to 25 goals on the season, he is showing how strong he can be at both ends of the ice.
Lastly, let's take a look at Nils Höglander's game. Despite only playing 10:13, he finished the night with two goals and an xGF% of 51.92. He also finished the night with zero high-danger chances against and was one of four Canucks that were not outshot while on the ice. While he may be on the fourth line, he continues to produce, which could lead to more opportunities later in the season.
Ensure to check back after the game against the New York Islanders for another edition of "The Stats Behind The Game."
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