Goaltending comparison
After losing Jacob Markstrom in free agency, the Canucks went and signed Braden Holtby to form a tandem with Thatcher Demko. Holtby is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2019-20 season. Demko is looking to take a step forward to becoming a regular starting goalie in the NHL. He was average as Markstrom’s backup last season but caught the attention of many fans and analysts across the league with stellar performances in the final three games of the Canucks second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Ottawa’s starter last season was Craig Anderson, who had former Canuck Anders Nilsson and Marcus Hogberg as his backups. Anderson has signed a PTO with the Capitals and Nilsson was traded to the Lightning in exchange for Cedric Pacquette and Coburn. The Senators signed Matt Murray to a four-year contract worth $6.25 million dollars per season. It is an expensive upgrade on Anderson and Murray will have Hogberg as his backup this season.
The Canucks have the better goalie tandem here. Holtby might not be what he used to be but there is a chance he bounces back and Demko is close to being a number one in the NHL. Murray is prone to letting in bad goals and Hogberg does seem to be an average backup.
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Special teams
The Canucks power play was the fourth-best in the NHL last season at 24.2% while the Senators were dead last on the man advantage at 14.2%. On the penalty kill, the Canucks were 16th at 80.5% and the Senators were 28th at 76.1%.
Both teams’ penalty kill can be better, although the Canucks have the edge here. The big difference is the power play. While the Senators’ young talent and additional forward depth can make it better, the Canucks’ power play is looking to be one of the best in the league once again.
Players to watch
Hughes: After a stellar rookie season which saw him finish second in Calder voting, Hughes is poised to take his game to the next level. The smooth-skating defenceman can do it all and is likely the best defenceman in the Canadian Division.
Chabot: Another young defenceman, Chabot is probably the second-best defenceman in the Canadian Division. He is a good puck mover with an excellent hockey IQ and will only get better.
It’s safe to say that the Canucks are a much better team than the Senators and it should be fun playing them nine times this season. That wraps up our North Division series, but stay tuned for more content from The Canuck Way!