Canucks: The Lotto Line is instrumental to the team’s success

The Vancouver Canucks are coming off a three game sweep of the Ottawa Senators. There a few reasons why the Canucks got the better of Ottawa. For once, they are the better team on paper, there was solid goaltending from Thatcher Demko and Braden Holtby, the second line got on the board, there were goals from Brandon Sutter and Tyler Motte, and the “Lotto Line” consisting of J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser was producing again.

For those that don’t know, the top line has that nickname because of the numbers of Boeser, Pettersson and Miller: six, 40 and nine. Yes, like Lotto 649.

One of the reasons why the Canucks had success last season was because the Lotto Line was producing. Often, the team would struggle when they were held off the score sheet. This came true once again this season.

The top line struggled early on and through the first ten games have generated a Corsi of 41.58%, an expected goals rate of 37.32%, and have been out-chanced 32-20.

It’s fair to say those numbers aren’t spectacular and it is still early in the season. However, from what we have seen against Ottawa, the Lotto Line might have awoken from their slumber and are ready to feast on other teams, as their Corsi was bumped up to 42.11% and their expected goals rate improved to 41.28%.

The first line looked confident against the Sens, so let’s take a look at some clips of them returning to form.

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Lotto line clips

One of the Lotto Line’s greatest strengths is their strong forecheck. In the clip below, Pettersson, Boeser and Miller didn’t give up on chasing the puck and battled hard along the boards, making life difficult for the Senators’ defence.

The way this line moves the puck is quite dangerous. Here, they move the puck well, creating a good scoring chance on the power play. Maybe Boeser should have taken the shot more quickly, however.

While Pettersson and Boeser do most of the shooting, Miller’s net-front presence also plays a part for goals to happen.

Hopefully, the games against Ottawa was only the beginning for the Lotto Line. The Canucks are going to need them to produce if they want to push for a playoff spot in a competitive North Division. For the rest of the season, the Canucks need Miller, Pettersson and Boeser to hit the jackpot.

*Stats courtesy of NaturalStatTrick