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Six Vancouver Canucks That Stand Out After Six Games

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On last Thursday evening, the Vancouver Canucks finally won a game. It was a 3-2 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers, the defending Stanley Cup champions. Sure, the Panthers were missing the likes of Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, but a win is a win. Since then, it has been three wins in a row for the Canucks. So far, it hasn’t been all perfect and there are many things for the players and coaching staff to work on. Let’s focus on the positive aspects. Here are six Vancouver Canucks that stand out after six games using their player stats.

Vancouver Canucks Out to a Strong Start by the Stats for Kevin Lankinen

The first of the six Canucks that stand out was a late addition to the roster. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen signed in late August. 

At the time the only options the Canucks had in goal were Arturs Silovs and Jiri Patera since Thatcher Demko is still recovering from his popliteus injury. With Silovs still not ready for a starter’s workload and Patera more suited for the AHL or as a third-stringer, Vancouver needed an experienced backup who could step up. The 29-year-old Lankinen fit the bill as he has plenty of experience as an NHL backup, particularly with the Nashville Predators.

So far, it has been really good for the Finnish netminder. Lankinen has a 3-1-0 record with a 1.70 goals against average and a .941 save percentage. He has made solid saves in all his games, including in the win in Sunrise, Florida. He also got his first shutout as a Canuck on Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Plus, Lankinen hasn’t let in a goal which he should’ve saved so far. He’s made three straight starts and it seems like it is right to continue the hot hand.

Conor Garland

Conor Garland is one of three Canucks with more than two goals so far. The others are J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser.

Aside from scoring, Garland has impressed with his ability to win puck battles, work ethic, and tenacity. The puck battles are even more impressive considering he is tied for the lightest forward in the NHL at 165 pounds according to Daily Hive’s Noah Strang. The other forwards he is tied with are Logan Stankoven of the Dallas Stars and Daniil Gushchin of the San Jose Sharks. Furthermore, Garland has never let his size define him and he often plays bigger than he actually is. That was seen throughout last season and is being put on display this season.

“He’s probably playing the best hockey of his career right now, that’s what Vancouver’s saying,” said Miller on Garland after the win over the Panthers per Strang. “I’m just really happy he’s playing really well.”

After six games, Garland leads all Canucks forwards in expected goals at 5 on 5 (3.86) according to NaturalStatTrick.

J.T. Miller

Speaking of Miller, he is also one of the Canucks that stand out. Ever since he arrived in Vancouver in 2019, Miller has worn his heart out on his sleeve and has been the heart of the team. Miller and Garland are tied for the team lead in points with three. Throughout the first six games of the season, Miller has consistently been leading the team. He’s been their engine so far. The overtime winner against the Panthers was a thing of beauty.

That overtime goal was Miller’s tenth as a Canuck and that put him in second all-time in franchise history behind Daniel Sedin‘s 16 overtime winners. So far, Miller picked up where he left off last season, which is a very good thing.

One of the Leaders for Vancouver Canucks Players Stats Defenceman Quinn Hughes

Someone who also picked up where he left off last season is Quinn Hughes. The reigning Norris Trophy winner and Vancouver captain has once again been displaying he’s one of the best blueliners in the NHL. He has been silky at the blueline, displayed great playmaking skills, and has been solid in his own end. Last season, Hughes decided to use his shot more and worked on it in the 2023 offseason. The 25-year-old is once again showing his shot is a deadly part of his arsenal. So far, it has been great for Hughes. But that is the norm for him.

Kiefer Sherwood

The Canucks had to deal with Kiefer Sherwood last season in the playoffs. In the six-game, round one series against the Canucks with the Nashville Predators, Sherwood was a thorn in the side for Vancouver. He was throwing hits that left bruises. Fast forward to about five months later and Sherwood now wears the Canucks uniform. Not much has changed except for the fact that he is throwing more hits than ever.

At the time of this writing, Sherwood leads the entire NHL in hits with 44 according to StatsMuse. In the last three Canucks games, he has had 31. He has been a hitting machine. Not only is he hitting, he is winning puck battles, being a force on the forecheck, and contributing offensively as well. He has a goal and three assists. He assisted on both of Danton Heinen‘s two goals in the 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night. Moreover, against Philadelphia, Sherwood found the back of the net himself. His shot completely fooled Sam Ersson. It’s early but Sherwood is already looking like fan favourite in Vancouver.

 

Erik Brännström

Brännström is the latest addition to the Vancouver Canucks roster but is one of the six players that stand out when analyzing his play and stats. He was acquired on October 6 from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Tucker Poolman and a 2025 fourth round pick. After being sent down to Abbotsford via waivers, he was eventually called up. With Derek Forbort leaving the team for personal reasons on October 17, Brännström suited up.

So far, he has done well. The Canucks despereately needed a defenceman that can move the puck outside of Hughes and Filip Hronek. While Brännström is not a long-term option and has only played three games, he has been good in his own zone and great moving the puck out. It’s nice to have someone down the lineup that can adequately move the puck on the backend.

Main Photo Credit: Sergei Belski – USA TODAY Sports

 

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