Welcome to this edition of the Vancouver Canucks postgame analytics report. This recurring deep dive breaks down the analytics behind each Canucks game as recorded by Natural Stat Trick. In this article, we look back on Vancouver's most recent 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
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The Canucks were the better team by a large margin when it came to the analytics. At even strength, Vancouver won the scoring chances battle 24-12 while also holding a 7-3 advantage in high-danger chances. In fact, the Canucks were so good at limiting high-danger chances that the Flyers didn't register a single one until the third period. Overall, the team played well defensively but couldn't generate enough offence to walk away with the victory.
The heatmap is one reason Vancouver's loss was so frustrating. They did a great job at both ends of the ice but couldn't get the puck past Samuel Ersson. If the Canucks can continue to generate chances like they did tonight while also playing strong defensively, they should come out of games with more wins than losses.
Looking at the forward group, the best trio on the night was the fourth line of Pius Suter, Teddy Blueger and Kiefer. In 8:25 of ice time, Vancouver held a 4-1 high-danger scoring chances advantage, with the trio also outscoring Philadephia 1-0. They were also a physical presence, combining for nine hits on the night. This trio has developed some chemistry, which will be beneficial throughout the season when the top six can't find the back of the net.
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To wrap things up, Quinn Hughes deserves a ton of praise for the way he played. He played 31:28, with 22:48 of that coming at even strength. When on the ice at even strength, the Canucks held a 12-3 scoring chances advantage, as well as winning the high-danger scoring chances battle 4-2. Ultimately, Hughes led by example and was once again one of, if not Vancouver's best players on the night.