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Canucks: Power rankings entering the All-Star break

By Alex Hoegler

VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 18: Loui Eriksson #21 of the Vancouver Canucks is congratulated by teammates after scoring during their NHL game against the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena January 18, 2020 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)"n
VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 18: Loui Eriksson #21 of the Vancouver Canucks is congratulated by teammates after scoring during their NHL game against the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena January 18, 2020 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)"n /
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The Vancouver Canucks are first in the Pacific Division entering the All-Star break. Here’s where they sit in power rankings across the web.

The Pacific Division is a five-team horse race, but the Vancouver Canucks sit at the very top by a single point over the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights and Arizona Coyotes.

Vancouver and Edmonton have each played 49 contests, and they have games in hand on the other three clubs. Still, it’s impossible to guess which team will come out on top in a wide open Pacific Division that probably won’t be decided until the final weekend of the regular season.

Goalie Jacob Markstrom has been the backbone of Vancouver’s success, with a record of 18-13-3 to go along with a .916 save percentage and 2.71 goals against average. Rookie blueliner Quinn Hughes has anchored an improved defensive unit, and he’s in the Calder Trophy race with 34 points in 48 games.

The Canucks’ 162 goals for are eighth most in the NHL, and they figure to finish the season with a minimum of six 20-goal scorers. If the offence can sustain its success, Vancouver should have little issue in ending a five-year playoff drought.

As the Canucks enjoy the All-Star break, now’s a fun time to see where they rank in power rankings across the web.

  • Sports Illustrated: Vancouver moves up one spot this week, coming in at No. 12.
  • Puck Prose: Same spot. The Canucks are 12th here, moving up six spots after placing 18th last week.
  • Boston Herald: Here’s a top 10 placement! The Canucks come in at No. 9, the highest among all Pacific Division teams.
  • Sporting News: Same as the Boston Herald. Vancouver is ninth on this list, moving down one spot from last week’s rankings.
  • theScore: Here’s the highest ranking of them all. The Canucks come in at the No. 7 spot.

The Canucks are off until next Monday, when they play host to the St. Louis Blues. The club will then embark on a five-game road trip, beginning against the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 29. Vancouver won’t play another home game until Feb. 8, when they host Calgary in a pivotal Pacific Division showdown.

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