The Canuck Way
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Canucks: 3 positives from the first quarter of the 2021 season

By Brayden Ursel

VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 27: Nils Hoglander #36 of the Vancouver Canucks skates during NHL hockey action against the Ottawa Senators at Rogers Arena on January 27, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 27: Nils Hoglander #36 of the Vancouver Canucks skates during NHL hockey action against the Ottawa Senators at Rogers Arena on January 27, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks. (Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports)
Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks. (Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports) /

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.

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