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#101 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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Pittsburgh acquires veteran center from Vegas
![]() ![]() October 6th, 2018 - The Penguins added Tyler Bozak from the Vegas Golden Knights, shipping out a promising young defensive defenseman in Ryan Lindgren in exchange. Bozak had 41 points for Vegas last season and should give Pittsburgh good depth as a bottom six pivot who can move up the lineup if needed. Lindgren is 20 years old and playing in the AHL. He is noted for his defensive game, especially his NHL calibre reads and positioning, but he brings very little to the table offensively. He should eventually make the NHL as a bottom pairing penalty killing shut down defenseman. |
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#102 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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Canucks lose star sophomore Hischier to knee injury
![]() October 18th, 2018 - Canucks fans will be disappointed to hear that first line center and second year player Nico Hischier will be expected to miss at least a month with a significant knee injury. Hischier has been one of the few bright spots on a young Canucks team that has struggled so far in the post-Sedin era, winning only 2 of their first 7 games. Hischier had 7 points in those 7 games and was continuing on his form from a strong rookie season. |
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#103 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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Strong First Period leads Vancouver to dominant win at home against Pittsburgh
![]() Oct 27th, 2018 - Vancouver came out firing on all cylinders against superstar Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. A four goal first period that saw goals from Burakovsky (6), Heinen (2), McAvoy (1) and Horvat (2) had them up 4-1 after twenty minutes and they never looked back. Casey DeSmith got the start and made 37 saves for the win. The Canucks finished with a 7-3 victory. Bo Horvat was the first star with three points, all in that first period, as Vancouver spread the scoring around. Crosby had two assists in the game but was -4 on the night as the Canucks consistently got the better of him at even strength. Young netminder Matt Murray struggled mightily, allowing seven goals on 29 shots and finishing with a .759 save percentage. The win brings Vancouver back to .500 and second place in the Pacific. Captain Chris Tanev blocked four shots. The defensive pairing of Hamhuis and Rasmus Andersson was absolutely caved in their minutes, allowing a -14 shot differential when they were on the ice. Tyler Bertuzzi's assist vaulted him into first place in the NHL scoring race with 18 points through 12 games. He is also tied for the league lead in goals with 8. Vancouver's top line of Bertuzzi, Horvat and Burakovsky has been consistently dominant despite the team's mercurial month overall. Only Horvat is below a point per game out of the trio, but he spent the first half of the month on the second line and was only promoted after sophomore Nico Hischier suffered an injury. 20 year old Mikhail Sergachev had an assist in the blowout win and currently has 4 goals and 7 assists through 12 games, proving that his rookie season was no fluke. Sergachev has been a revelation since bursting onto the scene in last year's training camp and pre-season and confidently taking on a top pairing role. His chemistry with captain Chris Tanev on that top pairing is evident and they complement each other well. Perhaps unsurprisingly with a rookie starter and a second year backup the Canucks situation in net has been sub-par this season. 22 year old Thatcher Demko may be the goalie of the future but he doesn't look ready to assume the starter's mantle yet as he adjusts to the pace of the best league in the world. DeSmith had struggled as well but his performance against the Penguins was shining and his team will need more of the same from both him and Demko if they hope to remain competitive throughout the season. |
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#104 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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![]() CANUCKS in October Record: 6-6-2, 14 Points, 4th in Pacific Schedule: W 5-2 vs CGY L 9-3 @ CGY SOL 5-4 @ CAR W 4-3 @ TBL SOL 3-2 @ FLA L 5-2 @ PIT L 4-1 @ WPG L 4-2 vs BOS L 3-2 vs WSH W 5-3 @ VGK W 4-2 @ ARZ W 7-3 vs PIT L 5-1 vs MIN W 6-2 vs CHI Summary: It was a turbulent first month of the post-Sedin era for Vancouver. After getting off to a promising start against the Cup champions they were brought back to earth by a blowout at the hands of the same Flames. They would go on to win only one of their next eight games and lose first line center and second year sensation Nico Hischier to injury. A late month surge that saw them take four of the last five games has boosted them back into respectability but it will be an uphill battle for this young club. Goaltending has certainly held them back and they are missing Jacob Markstrom who is starring for the Maple Leafs on the other side of Canada. Maybe Demko and DeSmith will both settle in as the season goes along and Demko certainly has the talent to start in this league but like most young goalies there is a learning curve and Vancouver's playoff chances can't afford that curve to last long in Demko's case. New addition Andre Burakovsky has gelled with Tyler Bertuzzi to form a dynamic duo on the top line, seemingly regardless of who centers them, but the rest of the forwards will need to find more ways to contribute on the score sheet if this team is going to have the scoring depth required for sustained success in this league. Jared McCann has produced only two points through fourteen games after having a 40 point year last season and he will need to figure things out and find his game if he wants to be a part of the solution for this club. 22 year old rookie defenseman Gustav Forsling is looking solid in his first North American season, surprising by taking a roster spot on the big club and fitting seamlessly into the top four, logging minutes on both special teams and producing at a 34-point pace so far. Can he maintain his form for the duration of the gruelling 82 game NHL grind? If so Vancouver may have a diamond in the rough on their hands. Injuries: C Nico Hischier OUT 1-2 weeks (Knee) Goalie Stats: Demko - 3-4-1, 3.43 GAA, .888 SvPct, -4.03 GSAA DeSmith - 3-2-1, 3.63 GAA, .879 SvPct, -5.23 GSAA Player Stats: |
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#105 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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![]() The Stars are the class of the West with only two losses in the first month of the season. Cam Talbot has been reliable in net for them but they are led by their dominant first line of Benn - Seguin - Nichushkin, all of whom are over a point pe game. They also get offense from the back end from smooth skating John Klingberg who has 10 points in 11 games. The defending champion Flames have kept pace near the top of a mediocre Pacific Division despite a poor start to the season for Devan Dubnyk who, despite his one shutout, currently sports a save percentage of .885. They have battled injuries, with 35 year old captain Mark Giordano still day to day and sophomore phenom Kyle Connor (8 goals and 16 points) among those who have already missed games. Johnny Gaudreau is tied for the league lead in assists and Dylan Strome is third in the NHL scoring race to keep them afloat. Perhaps this is San Jose's year in the Pacific. Veterans Joe Pavelski and Jeff Carter have shown tremendous chemistry on the second line and though their stat lines won't blow anybody away their even strength goal differential alongside winger Brandon Saad is impressive. 38 year old Ryan Miller continues to be steady for them between the pipes and dynamic young winger Tomas Hertl leads the team in points with 13 (including 8 goals) in 12 games. Boston and Montreal are neck and neck at the top of the Atlantic Division through one month. The Canadiens continue to lean heavily on superstar Carey Price, with last year's Norris winner Alexei Emelin carrying on his strong play with 8 assists through 11 games. 21 year old Thomas Chabot is on a more pedestrian points pace than last season but his all around game has come along incredibly well and he dominates his minutes alongside the always exciting P.K. Subban. Max Pacioretty has 7 goals so far this season and is well on his way to a Cy Young award with no helpers to date. Tuukka Rask has been good in goal for the Bruins but they have also had surprisingly good play from backup Alex Stalock who has picked up a shutout already and won four games. Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton are both just entering their prime and form one of the most formidable top pairings in hockey. Krug is at almost a point a game pace and as long as he can stay healthy this year he could find himself in the Norris conversation. Their top line relies on perennial Selke candidate Patrice Bergeron for strong two way play while dynamic wingers Marchand and Pastrnak light up the scoreboard. Marchand has 9 goals and 16 points already on the year. 24 year old Frankie Vatrano has surprised in what is so far a breakout season for him as he produces almost a point a game while centering the second line. Carolina looks to be the early favourite to win the Metro with nine wins under their belt in October. They are led offensively by creative playmaker Mitch Marner who leads the league in scoring at the young age of 21 with 22 points. James Reimer has been good enough in net for them and their young D corps of Skjei, Slavin, Fleury, Faulk, Carrick and Pesce has been good despite not being flashy. Justin Faulk is the elder statesman of the blueline at 26 and is also the offensive pulse from the back end with 13 points through 12 games. 21 year old Sebastian Aho is on pace to almost replicate last year's dominant season as he establishes himself as a premier star in the league. Player of the Month: VAN LW Tyler Bertuzzi (10-11-21, +8) - Bertuzzi has been on quite the trajectory for some time now. Two seasons ago his rookie year for Detroit was going as poorly as you could imagine, pointless in 20 games and -5 when they traded him to Vancouver. He showed some promise in 19 games with the Canucks, putting up 8 points. In his 22 year old season last year he burst onto the scene in a big way, scoring 32 goals and collecting 65 points. Now this year he has put the league on notice in October, totalling 21 points to lead the scoring race as he grows increasingly comfortable as a first line winger and a daily scoring threat. He had a 12 game point streak to start the year. Goalie of the Month: WPG G Connor Hellebuyck (6 Wins, 2 SO, 1.66 GAA, .943 SvPct, 9.89 GSAA) - The 25 year old Hellebuyck showed promise in his first full year as a starter last season, carrying a heavy load of 72 games but the team in front of him struggled and he was inconsistent at times. This season he has been dominant for a Winnipeg team that looks suddenly as if it may be on the cusp of contention with him between the pipes. Team Stat Leaders: GF/gm - Calgary, Carolina (3.92), Philadelphia (3.75), St. Louis (3.70), Ottawa (3.64) GA/gm - Columbus (2.18), St. Louis (2.20), Florida (2.22), Tampa Bay (2.27), Boston (2.33) PP - Arizona (36%), Pittsburgh (33%), St. Louis (30%), Ottawa (30%), Colorado (27%) PK - Tampa Bay (94%), Columbus (93%), Colorado (93%), Arizona, New Jersey (89%) Goalie Leaders (min 6 GP): GAA - Hellebuyck (WPG) 1.66, Vasilevskiy (TBL) 1.87, Campbell (PHI) 1.89, Bobrovsky (CBJ) 2.08, Luongo (FLA) 2.20 Sv Pct - Hellebuyck (WPG) .943, Campbell (PHI) .938, Luongo (FLA) .931, Bobrovsky (CBJ) .930, Vasilevskiy (TBL), Markstrom (TOR) .927 GSAA - Campbell (PHI) 10.04, Hellebuyck (WPG) 9.89, Markstrom (TOR) 8.57, Bobrovsky (CBJ) 7.10, Luongo (FLA) 6.52 SO - Bobrovsky (CBJ), Hellebuyck (WPG), Vasilevskiy (TBL) 2 Rookie Leaders: Points - Buchnevich (NYR) 3-7-10, Dahlen (NYI) 1-6-7, Dahlin (BUF) 0-7-7, Mangiapane (MTL) 3-3-6, Pettersson (VGK) 3-3-6 Other Stat Leaders: Takeaways - Ceci (OTT), O'Reilly (COL) 13, Hayes (NYR) 12, Brodin (MIN), Fowler (ANA), Killorn (SJS) 11 Hits - Borowiecki (SJS), Komarov (TOR) 69, Abdelkader (VGK) 44, Anderson (MIN) 39, Foligno (BUF) 38 Blocked Shots - Suter (MIN) 45, Murphy (ARZ) 44, Greene (DET) 43, Braun (DET), Pesce (CAR) 42 PIM - Borowiecki (SJS) 33, Anderson (MIN) 32, Z. Smith (OTT) 26, Deslauriers (BUF), Kylington (COL), Noesen (VAN) 24 FO% - Cizikas (NYI) 64.5, Seguin (DAL) 62.4, Desharnais (MTL) 61.5, Stepan (TBL) 61.2, Tavares (NYI) 60.9 +/- - Tryamkin (CGY) +14, O'Reilly (COL) +12, Kulak (CGY) +11, Arvidsson (NSH), Burakovsky (VAN), Forsberg (NSH), Fraser (BOS) +10 Injuries: D Cam Fowler (ANA) OUT 1-2 weeks (Foot) D Hampus Lindholm (ANA) OUT 3-4 months (Back) F Nick Bjugstad (FLA) OUT indefinitely (Concussion) F Brendan Gallagher (MTL) OUT indefinitely (Back) D Nathan Beaulieu (MTL) OUT 1-2 weeks (Wrist) D Ryan Ellis (NSH) OUT indefinitely (Elbow) F Anders Lee (NYI) OUT 1-2 weeks (Calf) F Brayden Point (NYR) DTD (Ankle) F Wayne Simmonds (PHI) DTD (Groin) F Nico Hischier (VAN) OUT 1-2 weeks (Knee) D Johnny Boychuk (VGK) OUT 2-3 weeks (Concussion) Last edited by CanuckJohnny; 05-05-2024 at 12:48 AM. |
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#106 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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Spotlight on: JACK CAMPBELL
![]() Nov 1st, 2018 - The Flyers sit second in the Metro, thanks in large part to their goalie. No, we aren't talking about Cup winning veteran Corey Crawford. 26 year old Jack Campbell is finding his way in the NHL at long last. The former first round pick took the long route to the show, spending three consecutive years in the minors after getting his first cup of coffee in the NHL at 22 with Dallas. His next sniff of NHL action was with the Sharks a year ago but he only saw five games, never registered a win and spent most of the season labouring in the AHL for the Barracuda. In his fresh start with the Flyers this year he seems to have put it all together finally. After claiming the starting job from decorated started Crawford in pre-season he never looked back, registering his first seven NHL wins in a torrid October that sees him leading the league in Goals Saved Above Average, a metric that takes into account both save percentage above/below league average and the number of shots faced by a goaltender. If he keeps this up he could be one of the feel good stories of the year after being written off by many as a bust. |
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#107 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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Bad Injury News for Canucks as Hischier suffers setback, Burakovsky out
![]() November 8th, 2018 - Andre Burakovsky went down with a shoulder injury in the 2-1 loss to Detroit and is expected to be out of the lineup for a week or two as he recovers. Burakovsky was acquired from Toronto in the offseason in a splashy trade that sent starting goalie Jacob Markstrom the other way. Burakovsky has fit in well on the top line opposite Tyler Bertuzzi and has exceeded expectations. Canucks fans and management alike will hope this doesn't derail his current successful season. The speedy winger has 6 goals and 15 points through 16 games and was also +9 at the time of his injury. Evgeny Svechnikov is expected to get into the lineup to replace him. Team doctors also recently reported that second year pivot Nico Hischier suffered a setback in his recovery and will be out longer than anticipated. Hischier was expected back in a week or so but it is now looking like another 2-3 weeks of recovery time for him. His offensive punch is missed in the lineup, he had 7 points in 7 games prior to his injury. |
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#108 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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Demko posts a shutout, picks up second consecutive victory as Vancouver piles on the goals against Buffalo
![]() November 10th, 2018 - The past two games have seen the Canucks outscore Boston and Buffalo by a combined 12-1. Demko has allowed only one goal in his past two starts, while facing 67 shots. After a rocky start to the season, Canucks fans are hoping that this builds the rookie netminder's confidence. This was Demko's first career NHL shutout. Demko isn't the only one thriving in Vancouver's two straight blowout victories. Mikhail Sergachev has been dominant with 4 points, including three goals, and a +6 rating in his past two games. Evgeny Svechnikov has picked up three assists since stepping in to replace the injured Burakovsky. Bertuzzi has 3 goals and 5 points in the same span. Even Brandon Tanev, not particularly noted for his offensive contributions, has accumulated four assists in the two games. Jared McCann seems to have responded well to the criticisms regarding his production when he had only two assists to his name after a rough October. Fans rightly expect better numbers from a top six winger. Since the month has changed to November McCann has found his form however, picking up 3 goals and 2 assists in four games. McCann credits coach Dan Bylsma for believing in him through the whole process and young forwards Bo Horvat and Tyler Bertuzzi, who also suffered through significant scoring slumps early in their careers, for encouraging him to stick it out and trust the process. It's not all sunshine and rainbows in Canuckland after another blowout win and the team suffered two more injuries in the game. Vladislav Namestnikov, who has held down the fourth line center job well enough since stepping in when Hischier was hurt and Heinen was moved up the lineup, will be out with a significant knee injury that doctors anticipate will take a month or more to heal. 24 year old forward Alex Iafallo will be recalled from Utica to replace him. Iafallo is a natural left winger but also has experience at center and has shown proficiency at faceoffs. Even more disheartening is the loss of rookie Swedish defenseman Gustav Forsling to an upper body injury that will keep him out for a month or two. The 22 year old has been a revelation for Vancouver since crossing the Atlantic, not only earning a top four role but excelling in that role with 7 points through 18 games while playing on both special teams and logging heavy minutes. He will be missed. Fellow rookie blueliner Will Butcher should slot into the lineup to replace him. Ashton Sautner will be brought up from Utica as a 7th defenseman. |
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#109 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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McCann continues hot month with two goals in Anaheim, including the overtime winner
![]() November 21st, 2018 - By the end of October beleaguered 22 year old forward Jared McCann was exhausted by the (justified) questions from reporters and fans about his poor performance. Fresh off a 15 goal, 40 point first full season in the league expectations were high and McCann was given a top six role out of camp. The points weren't coming to start the year but McCann, encouraged by his coach and teammates, kept his head up and continued working. It has all paid off in November. McCann has 8 goals and 12 points in ten games and capped off his night with the overtime winner, his second tally of the game. He's played a key role in Vancouver's recent run of 7 wins (including four that went to extra time and/or a shootout) in 8 games. Vancouver put together a solid team effort in front of backup goalie Casey DeSmith en route to the overtime victory. McCann was the game's first star and Filatov chipped in a goal for Vancouver, his 4th of the year, early in the third to tie the game and ultimately send it to overtime. Evan Rodrigues was a heat-seeking missile out there, piling up ten hits in 15:28 of icetime. Rodrigues also had an assist in the game. Captain Chris Tanev played his usual steady game in his own end with 2 takeaways and 3 hits. Charlie McAvoy carried the second pairing with 4 hits and 2 blocks. The Canucks climbed to the top of the Pacific Division with the victory, a position that will likely be short lived as the Sharks have two games in hand and Calgary has three. Their recent hot streak has propelled them into contention, even despite a run of bad injury luck. They are hopeful that Hischier and Burakovsky could both return before the end of the month. Bertuzzi has continued to roll even without his original linemates on the top line, carrying the line without Hischier or Burakovsky and continuing to lead the league in goals (15) and points (32). Demko's play has turned around massively, earning his first career shutout seemed to bring back his confidence and his game in November has been a night and day difference from his struggles in the first month of his NHL career. |
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#110 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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Detroit coach Reirden under fire early in tenure
![]() November 24th, 2018 - Todd Reirden was optimistic when taking over the Red Wings this offseason. Despite being fired only 51 games into his head coaching career by the Flyers he was brimming with confidence and looking forward to working with Detroit's eclectic roster of youth and veterans. A team led by Dylan Larkin up front and back stopped by rising star Petr Mrazek looked to have legitimate potential but almost two months in the Red Wings have a losing record at 8-13-1 and veteran goaltender Jimmy Howard has been vocal about his frustrations and limited starts. Reirden finds himself in the unenviable position of being in the hotseat yet again in his first year on the job. He needs some patience from ownership and management on this one. Although the passionate hockey fans in Detroit may be pointing fingers already and looking for who to blame, it's unfair to pin this one on Reirden who is working with a roster that is exciting but also deficient. Detroit failed to build a strong blueline in the offseason and it's difficult to succeed in this league without a solid top four on defense. The Red Wings are in the basement of the Atlantic primarily due to a weak defense corps that is being led by 21 year Brennan Menell (5 goals and 9 points but -13) and 36 year old Andy Greene (a respectable -6 on a poor team). Detroit's blueline may have help on the way eventually as teenagers Mikey Anderson and K'Andre Miller are showing promise in the system and 20 year old Scott Perunovich gets his first taste of NHL action but will Reirden get enough leash to be around when they do? Veteran GM Ken Holland ought to have the experience and wisdom to be patient with his young coach while he works to augment his roster. |
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#111 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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GM Trevor Linden calls out team, agrees with media following back to back losses
![]() November 25th, 2018 - After their hot streak was stopped cold by losses on back to back nights against San Jose and Los Angeles the Canucks were left looking for answers and so were the media. Media coverage was supportive of Tyler Bertuzzi's efforts and critical of the rest of the team. Trevor Linden spoke to reporters today and agreed that Bertuzzi's play has been exemplary but "the rest of the team needs to step up and not make excuses". We will see in a couple days if his words took effect as Vancouver will have a rematch against the last place Kings, this time at home after a couple days of rest. |
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#112 |
All Star Reserve
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 554
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![]() CANUCKS in November Record:15-11-2 (9-5-0), 32 Points, 3rd in Pacific Schedule: W 5-2 vs COL L 2-1 @ DET W 6-1 @ BOS W 6-0 @ BUF SOW 2-1 @ NYR SOW 3-2 @ NYI L 4-1 @ MIN W 6-2 vs MTL SOW 5-4 vs WPG OTW 3-2 @ ANA L 4-0 @ SJS L 5-4 @ LAK L 3-0 vs LAK W 3-2 vs VGK Summary: Vancouver climbed back into relevance with a November that was strong overall but they stumbled at the end of the month with a series of frustrating divisional losses. Still, coming out of that six game road trip early in the month with four wins was a huge boost and being able to have success even in Nico Hischier's absence was encouraging. Hischier is set to return to the lineup and should add a boost to a Canucks team that has lost three of their last four. The Canucks thrived in games that took extra time, winning three in the shootout and one in overtime this month. It was a team effort, with both DeSmith and Demko getting shootout victories and neither allowing a goal. Noesen, Cassels and Horvat all took their turns playing hero with the shootout winner while Jared McCann scored the overtime winner in Anaheim. Alex Iafallo has played ten games now as the 4th line center for the Canucks. He's been solid in the dot with a 51.6% faceoff win rate. At home when Bylsma can give him favourable matchups and shelter his minutes he has been very successful with his line allowing only 15.5 shots against per 60 but on the road he has struggled, with his line allowing 39.4 shots against per 60. His future is uncertain with Nico Hischier returning. Will the Canucks keep him around on the pro roster or move him back to the minors for more icetime? They seem reasonably happy with his body of work so far in the bottom six. Dan Hamhuis isn't done yet. With injuries occurring in the top six he has seen his fair share of icetime, getting into 19 games so far, and in his time on the ice his team has allowed 24.2 shots per 60, the lowest rate of any player on the team this year. The veteran may not be flashy but he has proven to be effective defensively. Injuries: C Nico Hischier DTD (Knee) D Gustav Forsling DTD (Arm) C Vladislav Namestnikov OUT 2-3 weeks (Leg) Goalie Stats: Demko - 9-6-1, 2.73 GAA, .907 SvPct, 1 SO, -0.45 GSAA DeSmith - 6-5-1, 3.07 GAA, .895 SvPct, -4.69 GSAA Player Stats: |
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