Canucks: 3 positives from the first quarter of the 2021 season
Time flies when you’re having fun… or something like that, right?
It’s hard to believe that the Vancouver Canucks have already reached the quarter mark of the 2021 NHL season, but it’s true. The Canucks played their 14th game of the year against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night, which only resulted in another blowout loss (7-3).
It appears that the Canucks of 2020 — the last Canadian team left standing — have vanished entirely. And judging by their recent play on the ice, this new-look 2021 squad appears to be nothing more than a shadow of what they used to be. Gone is the confidence that once made this Canucks team so entertaining.
Despite multiple offseason changes on the blueline, Vancouver’s defence has been performing well below par, and the Canucks have given up at least 5+ goals more often than not (eight times). They’ve been outscored 55-47. Because of that, Thatcher Demko and Braden Holtby have been left out to dry and it’s resulted in multiple embarrassing losses.
The season isn’t over yet, but the Canucks have to sort themselves out and they have to do it quickly. They have some excellent players who are in a position to rise up and help guide this team. They need to lean on the bright spots of this squad to help dig them out of this hole. And believe it or not, a few Canucks players are shining brighter than ever right now. Here are three positives from the first quarter of the 2021 NHL season.
1. Nils Hoglander is the real deal
If anyone was doubting Nils Hoglander as a true NHL threat, they aren’t anymore. The 20-year-old Swedish winger has become a fan-favourite overnight and for good reason. Through 14 games with the Canucks he’s registered seven points (three goals, four assists) and is currently third in rookie scoring.
His smaller frame hasn’t held him back one bit. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound forward has been full steam ahead, unafraid to get involved down low and jump into the dirty areas to retrieve pucks. Despite his size, he’s usually the man who comes out with the puck on his stick and he does a fantastic job of finding an open teammate to make a play.
The chemistry formed between him, Tanner Pearson and Bo Horvat has been top-notch and there has been zero reason for a Hoglander demotion. In fact, if it wasn’t for Hoglander, the Canucks would be in much more trouble than they already are.
Despite the Horvat line being matched up against the opponent’s best players on a nightly basis, it’s the only line on the Canucks roster that currently holds a positive Corsi For Percentage. That has a lot to do with how quickly Hoglander has been able to translate his foreign game to the NHL. With the way he’s begun his NHL career, this is only just the beginning of another great Swede playing hockey in Vancouver.
2. Brock Boeser has found his shot
The goals are flowing for “the flow” Brock Boeser. The soon to be 24-year-old has found the back of the net eight times in just 14 games and he’s doing it in a multitude of different ways. From goals in front to snipes off the rush, everything is beating the goaltender when it’s coming from Boeser’s stick.
https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1355716070653366273
A lot of his recent success comes because of his health. For the first time in a long time, Boeser is feeling 100 percent and he’s openly admitted to it. And with good health comes more confidence. You can see it. It’s as clear as the day is long. Here he is putting the puck past an Ottawa goaltender off the rush.
https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1355004866226122752
Not only has Boeser regained his lethal shot, but he’s become a multi-faceted player who can be relied on in a variety of different situations. He can be the go-to guy that is the team’s power play finisher. He can be the player with a good net-front presence, and he’s proven to be much stronger defensively as well.
3. Quinn Hughes leads all defencemen in points
The title says it all. The 21-year-old blueliner has been all offence this season. Through 14 games, Quinn Hughes leads all NHL defencemen in points (15) with one goal and 14 assists. The crazy part about it though is that he’s been putting up points despite being paired with Jordie Benn — a sixth or seventh defenceman at best — for the majority of his minutes.
His defensive game has taken a slide in the wrong direction as his plus/minus is the worst on the team (-10), but that’s not what we’re talking about here. This is all about Hughes and his ability to drive the offence at even strength, but especially on the man-advantage.
With the puck on the blade of his stick, he’s nearly untouchable. The way he skates is unlike any former Canuck in their 51-year history. He makes it look easy and he often makes his attacker look foolish. To think that this is a version of Hughes who technically isn’t at his best is mindblowing, to say the least.
If he’s already this good offensively, where will Hughes be when he’s playing at 100 percent? Where will Hughes be able to take his game and the Canucks’ game when he finds his defensive abilities that the fans know he possesses?
Next. Canucks: Hughes leading all defencemen in points. dark
There may be a dark cloud over the city of Vancouver right now, but there is still a lot to be happy about and there’s still time for the Canucks to turn things around. They are back in action against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday for Hockey Night in Canada.