Canucks: Core players are dominating in the playoffs

Thanks to the core players putting up big numbers statistically, the Vancouver Canucks are turning a lot of heads in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With an overtime win last night, the Vancouver Canucks have won five straight playoff games and now take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the defending Stanley Cup champions. Who would have thought? Seriously.

With big contributions from the core players of this team, the Canucks have dominated their opponents by a total score of 21-15. Averaging 3.5 goals per game, Vancouver is scoring at least one more goal than their opponent on a night-to-night basis.

Often getting heavily outshot, team MVP Jacob Markstrom has kept his team alive but in the offensive end, Bo Horvat and company have been taking care of business at an extremely impressive rate.

Despite only putting the puck on net 47 times in the past two games, the Canucks have beaten Jordan Binnington 10 times (including J.T. Miller‘s offside goal). The NHL’s best goaltender last year is breaking down against the onslaught of talent within the Canucks lineup and it appears they’ve finally solved how to do it.

Seven Canucks’ players are averaging a point per game or more through the first six contests, and the points keep coming as the core continues to unlock its true potential. Led by “Captain Clutch” Bo Horvat in the offensive end, he’s been absolutely everything and more than a captain can be. Eight points in total (6 goals, 2 assists) and four goals in the past two games.

Elias Pettersson quietly continues to score goals and rack up points. He hasn’t been nearly as flashy as the captain has been, but despite being pushed around as the opponents No. 1 target, he’s still finding ways to get points on the board and be a difference-maker. Seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in his first six playoff games isn’t too shabby. He’s proving that his MVP performance in the SHL playoffs of 2017-18 was no fluke. Imagine what he can do when he truly gets going?

Brock Boeser‘s offseason training is paying off in big ways. Seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) for the Burnsville Minnesota native and he’s been doing it despite the fact that the Lotto Line has been heavily outplayed possession-wise at five-on-five.

But what’s been arguably the most impressive thing about the Canucks to this point has to be the stellar play of Quinn Hughes. He continues to show hockey experience beyond his years and he’s doing it with record-setting numbers night in and night out. He’s the first rookie defender in 40 years to score at least five points in his first five playoff games. He leads the team and all NHL defenders with eight points (1 goal, 7 assists). Simply impressive.

Miller, Tanner Pearson, and Chris Tanev each have six points to their name to complete the list of seven. Can you ask for much more from this team? The crazy thing is: I believe the Canucks have yet to reach their full potential.

The power play is clicking at nearly 30% through six playoff games but Vancouver needs to get the lotto line producing away from the man-advantage. Fans still haven’t seen the famous one-timer from Pettersson, the lethal wrist shot from Boeser’s special spot, or Miller’s ability to crash and bang his way to the net at even strength.

As one of the best lines in hockey this season, everybody knows what the Lotto Line is capable of doing. If they can get the puck rolling over the goal line at five-on-five, the Canucks should be able to pounce on the not so confident Binnington and close this series out early.

The best is yet to come for the Vancouver Canucks. Enjoy the ride.