It May Not Be A Pretty Return To NHL Action, It Is What It Is…Just Addin’

The Vancouver Canucks look to play hockey games over the next two weeks. They could play 9 consecutive road games before they land back in the Lower Mainland of B.C.

Covid-19, Covid Protocols, and the desire of NHL owners desiring to have games played in front of a full capacity of hockey paying fans have brought frustration to teams like Vancouver, who had established momentum, a 9 game undefeated streak (8-0-1) in regulation play.

Then the holiday season came to the team in late December of last year, and so did Covid.

Vancouver left today and will play the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.

The Panthers are not that bad a team this season.

Florida improved to 23-7-5 with a 4-3 overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night, putting Florida atop the league’s standings, ahead of Tampa Bay, having played two less games than the Lightning.

FLORIDA AT A GLANCE

• Florida has earned at least one point in each of their past six games (5-0-1).
• Anthony Duclair has scored eight points (five goals, three assists) in his past six games, including scoring a pair of game-winners.
• Jonathan Huberdeau has recorded three goals and 10 assists over his last five games, matching the most points ever by a player in a five-game span in franchise history .
• Carter Verhaeghe has registered four points (two goals, two assists) over his last three games.
• In six games since coming out of the pause, Florida has gone 18-for-21 on the penalty kill.
• Panthers looking to build upon their outstanding 18-3-0 record in Sunrise, beginning a three game home stand against the Canucks.
• In 21 games at home, the Panthers have scored a league-high 93 goals.

CANUCKS AT A GLANCE

• Thatcher Demko has 15 wins, 4th most shots against (853), 4th most saves (785), and has played the 5th most minutes in the NHL (1602:58.
• Vancouver has at least one point in their past 9 games (8-0-0-1).
• In their last 9 games, the Canucks rank:
  • t-6th in wins with 8
  • t-6th in points (17 points)
  • 1st in points percentage (.944)
  • 1st in least goals against (14)
  • 1st in goals against average (1.56)
  • t-3rd in power play percentage (33.3)
  • 5th in penalty kill (89.5 percent)
  • 14th in face-off win percentage (50.4 percent)
• Canucks leaders in even strength points during streak:
  • J.T. Miller: 7 EVP
  • Tanner Pearson: 6 EVP
  • Quinn Hughes: 5 EVP
  • Conor Garland: 5 EVP
• Canucks leaders in power play points during streak:
  • J.T. Miller: 6 PPP
  • Bo Horvat: 4 PPP
  • Brock Boeser: 3 PPP
  • Quinn Hughes: 3 PPP