Head to Head: How the Vancouver Canucks and Predators match up

With the Vancouver Canucks set to take on the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, here’s a look at how the two teams match up, player to player.

These comparisons have less to do with position and more to do with role and production. For example, a centreman and a left winger might be the closest comparables to each other — not because of position but because of role and production. That being said, there are no perfect comparisons because these are ultimately different players.

The winner of each matchup will contribute a point to his team, resulting in the declaration of the “on paper” champion for this series.

Any questions? Alright, let’s get started.

Forwards

JT Miller: 81 GP, 37 G, 66 A, 103 P, +32

Filip Forsberg: 82 GP, 48 G, 46 A, 94 P, +16

This season was a revelation for Filip Forsberg, who not only set a personal high for goals, but set the franchise record as well. He also fell two points short of Roman Josi’s single-season points record. Forsberg was also responsible in his own end, although he’s far from being classified as a two-way forward because he doesn’t kill penalties or play in key defensive situations.

JT Miller also set personal records for goals and points this year, finally eclipsing the 100-point mark that has eluded him for so long. Unlike Forsberg, however, Miller can be classified as a two-way forward — and a good one at that. He’s also the type of player who is built for the playoffs. He’s tough to play against in every zone and he’s a physical force. If the Predators are going to contend against the Canucks, they’ll have to find a way to counter Miller’s efforts.

Both players are exceptional offensively, but because of Miller’s defensive ability as well as his outright tenacity, he gets a point here.

Elias Pettersson: 82 GP, 34 G, 55 A, 89 P, +20

Ryan O’Reilly: 82 GP, 26 G, 43 A, 69 P, +6

Contrary to what his 2022-23 play showed, Ryan O’Reilly has still got it. After signing a four-year deal with the Predators in the off-season, the Stanley Cup champion played as well as the team could have hoped for.

If Hart Trophy voting had taken place at the all-star break, Elias Pettersson might have been a finalist. His play since then, however, has taken him out of the running for any major trophy. He’s scored just one goal in his last 13 games and has looked slow and prone to error. If the Canucks are to have any success in the playoffs, Pettersson has to get back to his regular self.

As much as O’Reilly has proven himself this year, Pettersson is still one of the best centremen in the world. The point goes to Pettersson, although it comes with a major asterisk.

Brock Boeser: 81 GP, 40 G, 33 A, 73 P, +23

Gustav Nyquist: 81 GP, 23 G, 52 A, 75 P, +7

Remember that Gustav Nyquist guy? The one that’s played middle-six roles with a bunch of different teams over the last 12 years? He’s kind of an elite scorer now. Previous to this season, Nyquist’s best point totals were in the low 50s. He potted 75 this year.

Going along with the theme of career highs, Brock Boeser, who had previously never had a 30-goal season, scored 40 goals in 2023-24. Like Nyquist, his best point totals started with fives, but this year it starts with a seven.

Boeser has been excellent all year, but lots of his goals have come in situations where the team was already leading by a significant margin. He also doesn’t drive play the way a lot of 40-goal scorers do. Nyquist, on the other hand, has been a game breaker and he’s earned the right to be recognized as such. Nyquist gets the point here.

Conor Garland: 82 GP, 20 G, 27 A, 47 P, +19

Tommy Novak: 71 GP, 18 G, 27 A, 45 P, -3

Tommy Novak and Conor Garland are perhaps the closest comparison on this list. Their stat lines are nearly identical and they both have a way of finding and using open ice. Garland plays with a little more edge, but he isn’t big enough to really push people around in the playoffs.

The point goes to Garland here because of his play on the defensive side — It’s much better than Novak’s.

Elias Lindholm: 75 GP, 15 G, 29 A, 44 P, -14

Colton Sissons: 81 GP, 15 G, 20 A, 35 P, -6

Colton Sissons has been consistent his entire career, potting somewhere around 30 points almost every year he’s played. He plays middle-six minutes for the Predators and gets some good matchups. He’s a big part of this Predators team.

Elias Lindholm struggled to find his game after being traded to the Canucks in January, but he seems to have found his footing in recent games. His role with the Canucks has a lot more to do with keeping the puck out of his net than putting it in the opponent’s net. Now that he’s figured that out, he should be an invaluable piece for this team.

The point goes to Lindholm.

Nils Höglander: 80 GP, 24 G, 12 A, 36 P, +23

Luke Evangelista: 80 GP, 16 G, 23 A, 39 P, 0

Luke Evangelista and Nils Höglander have both broken out this year, making big impacts on their respective teams. Both guys are fast, skilled and fearless, but neither one is exactly big. These playoffs could be a real eye-opener for both players as they see how tight and physical the game gets.

Höglander is a bit better defensively than Evangelista is, plus he scores more goals. Högs gets the point here, but it’s close.

Ilya Mikheyev: 78 GP, 11 G, 20 A, 31 P, +1

Jason Zucker: 69 GP, 14 G, 18 A, 32 P, -9

Jason Zucker has filled a middle-six role for the Predators since being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes at the trade deadline. In 18 games since the trade, he’s recorded an underwhelming five goals and seven points. He provides veteran leadership, but he hasn’t made many deep playoff runs.

Ilya Mikheyev provides the exact same things for the Canucks: occasional points, veteran leadership, but not much meaningful playoff experience. He started the season hot, but his production fell off a cliff in November. If he can get back to his game in the playoffs, the Canucks will be much better off.

The point here goes to Zucker because he’s been a bit more consistent than Mikheyev. That could change, however, if Mikheyev figures out how to reset in the playoffs and make an impact.

Dakota Joshua: 63 GP, 18 G, 14 A, 32 P, +19

Cole Smith: 80 GP, 9 G, 14 A, 23 P, +5

Cole Smith is a perfect bottom-six forward: He plays hard, he hits, he fights, he kills penalties, and he chips in the occasional goal. He’s exactly what you need in the playoffs.

Dakota Joshua is the improved version of Smith. He has carved out the perfect role with the Canucks, allowing him to play a physical game and score consistently. Like Smith, he’s exactly the type of player every team needs in the playoffs.

Joshua gets the point here. He does everything Smith does, but he does it all a little bit better.

Pius Suter: 67 GP, 14 G, 15 A, 29 P, +17

Kiefer Sherwood: 68 GP, 10 G, 17 A, 27 P, +17

Kiefer Sherwood established himself as a full-time NHLer this season. He’s made an offensive impact and he keeps the puck out of his net. What more could you ask of a fourth-liner?

Pius Suter plays a similar game to Sherwood, although he can play up and down the lineup. When he’s played in the top six, he’s scored. When he’s played in the bottom six, he’s centred good lines. He’s the perfect Swiss Army knife.

Suter gets the point. He’s just a better player.

Defensemen

Quinn Hughes: 82 GP, 17 G, 75 A, 92 P, +38

Roman Josi: 82 GP, 23 G, 62 A, 85 P, +12

While Quinn Hughes is the favourite to win the Norris Trophy in most people’s books, his toughest competitor is probably Roman Josi. Both players were offensive forces, both placing second in points on their respective teams. While Hughes’ defensive play has been the difference-maker for him this year, Josi also excels in his own end. Josi also kills penalties, which Hughes only does on occasion.

Both are exceptional defensemen and both will be key factors in any success their teams have in the playoffs, but Hughes has been the better player this season and it could very well continue that way in the playoffs.

Filip Hronek: 81 GP, 5 G, 43 A, 48 P, +33

Ryan McDonagh: 74 GP, 3 G, 29 A, 32 P, +19

If Filip Hronek stays on his current trajectory, his career will likely be comparable to that of Ryan McDonagh. Both are excellent two-way defensemen who have — or will have — spent the bulk of their careers playing with elite defensemen. McDonagh, of course, has a trophy room full of shiny toys, but when Hronek has played as long as McDonagh has, he could very likely have an impressive trophy case of his own.

For the purposes of this playoff series, McDonagh has more experience but Hronek is the better defenseman right now. For that reason, the point goes to Hronek — although McDonagh’s playoff experience could prove invaluable.

Carson Soucy: 40 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 P, +10

Dante Fabbro: 56 GP, 3 G, 10 A, 13 P, +9

Carson Soucy is the reincarnation of Sami Salo: He makes the Canucks a much better team when he plays, but he’s made of flimsy glass — the type that breaks when you put any weight on it whatsoever. If he can stay healthy in the playoffs, the Canucks will have a better chance at success.

Dante Fabbro, a native of Coquitlam, has played a big role for the Predators for a few years now. He signed a one-year contract extension in March which will take him to unrestricted free agency at the end of next season, so he’s hoping to really show his value now.

Soucy is bigger, more experienced, and, frankly, a better player than Fabbro. He gets the point here, although it comes with an asterisk that he has to stay healthy.

Nikita Zadorov: 75 GP, 6 G, 14 A, 20 P, 0

Jeremy Lauzon: 79 GP, 6 G, 8 A, 14 P, -3

Nikita Zadorov and Jeremy Lauzon are both big bodies who aren’t afraid to lay hits or drop their mitts. They’re both serviceable middle-pairing defensemen that you don’t want to face in a playoff series. Fun fact: Lauzon is on a short list of players who have fought Teddy Blueger in the NHL.

Although they’re similar players, Zadorov does everything a little better than Lauzon does. For that reason, the point goes to Zadorov here.

Ian Cole: 78 GP, 2 G, 9 A, 11 P, +10

Tyson Barrie: 41 GP, 1 G, 14 A, 15 P, -10

Tyson Barrie played in exactly half of the Predators’ games this year, being both injured and healthy-scratched a number of times. He’s an effective offensive defenseman who thrives on the powerplay, but he’s much less effective in his own end. Playing behind Roman Josi in the lineup, Barrie doesn’t exactly get prime offensive opportunities — similar to Oliver Ekman-Larsson playing behind Quinn Hughes in Vancouver.

Ian Cole has been a nice fit with the Canucks, eating minutes as a bottom-four defenseman. That being said, his play has been much less consistent over the last month or so. At any rate, his veteran leadership and playoff pedigree will be of utmost importance to a relatively inexperienced Canucks team.

Although Barrie hasn’t quite been what Nashville has needed, he can still do everything Cole does and more, so the point goes to Barrie here.

Tyler Myers: 77 GP, 5 G, 24 A, 29 P, +16

Alexandre Carrier: 73 GP, 4 G, 16 A, 20 P, +7

Alexandre Carrier and Tyler Myers are very different players, but they play identical roles for their teams. Both are serviceable defensemen who average just short of 19 minutes per game. Both guys kill penalties on occasion and see small amounts of powerplay time. Both are playing for contracts.

Myers’ numbers on both sides of the puck are slightly better, so he gets the point. That being said, the margins are thin so this one could really go either way. 

Noah Juulsen: 54 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 P, -1

Luke Schenn: 63 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 P, +1

Canucks fans are all too familiar with Luke Schenn, who revived his career in Vancouver playing alongside Quinn Hughes. Schenn left the Canucks in 2019 to collect a pair of Stanley Cup rings with the Tampa Bay Lightning, after which he returned to Vancouver to boost his numbers once again. Then, after a brief stint in Toronto, Schenn secured the bag in Nashville, signing a three-year deal worth $8.25 million. Vancouver has always been a stepping stone leading Schenn to greater things, and he hopes to use that stepping stone once again — this time to get to the second round of the playoffs.

Since Schenn’s departure, Noah Juulsen has stepped into a similar role to that of Schenn, although he doesn’t play with Quinn Hughes. Juulsen plays a bottom-pairing role which includes significant time on the penalty kill. He’s physical. He’s responsible. He doesn’t mind taking his turn in the press box. He’s a younger, cheaper Luke Schenn.

Schenn’s experience and physicality are the determining factors in this matchup. He has proven his value as a minute muncher, whereas Juulsen is still in the “prove it” stage. The point goes to Schenn here.

Goalies

Thatcher Demko: 51 GP, 35 W, 14 L, 2 OTL, 2.45 GAA, .918 SV%

Juuse Saros: 64 GP, 35 W, 24 L, 5 OTL, 2.86 GAA, .906 SV%

Juuse Saros has struggled in his last few games, but he was excellent during the Predators’ 18-game point streak earlier in the season. Saros is best in the big moments so the Canucks can expect to see him at his best in the playoffs.

Thatcher Demko was in the running for the Vezina Trophy until going down with a knee injury. He came back on Tuesday, stopping 39 shots in a 4-1 win. He didn’t look quite as sharp in Thursday’s loss to the Winnipeg Jets, although a number of core Canucks players skipped the game to prepare for the playoffs. Demko will be a major part of any playoff success the Canucks have.

The sheer dominance Demko has displayed this season gives him the point here, but Saros is very worthy competition. There will be no soft goals this series.

Casey DeSmith: 29 GP, 12 W, 9 L, 6 OTL, 2.89 GAA, .896 SV%

Kevin Lankinen 24 GP, 11 W, 6 L, 0 OTL, 2.82 GAA, .908 SV%

Kevin Lankinen and Casey DeSmith are ideal backup goalies — although DeSmith’s performance during Demko’s absence might make you doubt that. Both guys are able to take some weight off of the starter’s shoulders and, for the most part, you don’t have to cover your eyes and peek between your fingers when they’re in net. They’re usually pretty reliable but you’d rather play your starter.

It’s unlikely that either guy plays during this series unless Saros or Demko get injured, but Lankinen gets the point here because he’s been a bit more consistent than DeSmith.

Coaches

Rick Tocchet: 50 W, 23 L, 9 OTL

Andrew Brunette: 47 W, 30 L, 5 OTL

Both Andrew Brunette and Rick Tocchet could finish as finalists for the Jack Adams Trophy this season, the way they’ve accomplished the unexpected this season. Brunette helped his team turn around its season after it looked like they might miss out on the playoffs. He strung together an 18-game point streak, landing the Predators in the playoffs.

Tocchet took the Canucks, a perennial Wild Card Three team, and launched them up to the top of the standings — something nobody had on their bingo cards this season. He found a way to unlock the potential of virtually every player, from the superstars all the way down to the fourth-liners.

These are two of the best coaches in the league, and it’s impossible to choose between the two. This one’s a draw.

The “On Paper” Series Champion

Canucks: 14, Predators: 6.

It’s no surprise that the team with the better regular season record is the better team on paper. However, the NHL playoffs are so exciting because the moment the puck drops, it’s anyone’s game.

(Statistics provided by NHL.com and Hockey-Reference)