The Canuck Way
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3 takeaways from the Canucks 4-1 victory against the Winnipeg Jets

By Joshua Rey

Jan 30, 2021; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) is congratulated by Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller (9) on his win against the Winnipeg Jets at the end of the third period at Bell MTS Place. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2021; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko (35) is congratulated by Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller (9) on his win against the Winnipeg Jets at the end of the third period at Bell MTS Place. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brock Boeser opens the scoring. (Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Brock Boeser opens the scoring. (Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports) /

Boeser gets two, leads the league in goals

Boeser got his seventh and eighth goals on Saturday and that put him in sole possession for the NHL lead. He surpasses Connor McDavid and Mikko Rantanen who are currently tied for second with seven.

What is also interesting is that Boeser joins Tony Tanti as one of two Canucks with four multi-goal games within the first eleven games of the season per Sportsnet Stats. Tanti did that in the 1983-84 season.

Boeser has looked confident not just in Saturday’s game but throughout the season so far. His shot looks great and it looks like the Boeser from 2017-18 might be back. On the first goal, he has the opportunity to use his signature wrist shot but instead decides to make a move on Hellebuyck instead. It’s not often Boeser is seen trying to do something fancy but that shows his confidence must be high right now.

He looked poised to score more as he had seven shots on Hellebuyck. Boeser also made some good passes, especially on the power play. Boeser is dangerous when he’s playing with confidence and it is a great sight to see for Canucks fans.

Demko and defence shut down Jets

Thatcher Demko didn’t have the busiest night but he looked dialled in, especially in the first period. He was stopping some grade a Jets chances and was there to shut the door when needed. It’s early, but it looks like the number one spot is becoming his to lose.

The Canucks defence has been a sore spot all season, giving up 30 and sometimes at least 40 shots per night. On Saturday, they managed to give up only 24 shots on goal which is the lowest this season so far. It was like watching pigs fly for Canucks fans seeing the defence play not too badly.

The defence managed to block six of the Canucks total blocked shots with Nate Schmidt getting three. There were some giveaways here and there but they looked more settled in in the second and third periods. There some good defensive battles, takeaways and the transitions up the ice weren’t so bad.

The Jets had a 67.65% Corsi For Percentage in the first, 50% in the second and 42.86% in the third. They had a High Danger Corsi For Percentage of zero in the third. Yes, zero.

Jalen Chatfield looked solid in game action so far, pretty good in his NHL career. He was creating turnovers, helping on the rush and even trying to create some offence.

Jordie Benn also looked good against the Jets.  He got an assist on the MacEwen goal and didn’t look too bad with Hughes. His passes were good and so was his play in his own end.

“He’s a smart guy,” said Head Coach Travis Green on Benn per Sportsnet 650’s Brendan Batchelor. “He’s been calm with the puck. He’s bought himself some time with the puck. He’s been a good fit with Quinn.”

Next. Canucks: Why the Hockey Talks initiative is so important. dark

The Canucks had their best performance of the season and were able to finally take down the Jets. However, Vancouver’s hockey club is off to Montreal where they will play a back-to-back on Monday and Tuesday against the Canadiens. Puck drop is at 4:00 PM Pacific on both days.

*Stats Courtesy of NaturalStatTrick and the official NHL website

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