Slip slidin鈥� away鈥�
The Vancouver Canucks entered February with visions of the NHL playoffs still dancing in their heads. One month later, the post-season is becoming more like a pipe dream. A lacklustre 4-7-3 record in February leaves the Canucks at 27-29-9, five points out of the final Western Conference spot, and with a trio of teams to climb over to get there. Given the dire pre-season predictions for the club, to still be playing meaningful games in March should be considered progress - but you can鈥檛 blame Canucks fans if their thoughts soon turn full-time to June鈥檚 entry draft, which takes place in Vancouver.
By the numbers
27-29-9 (14-12-4 home, 13-17-5 road) 63 points (5th, Pacific Division, 25th overall); GF: 180 (24th overall); GA: 203 (19th overall); PP: 15.0% (27th overall); PK: 80.0% (18th overall)
On Feb. 1: 23-22-6 (12-10-3 home, 11-12-3 road) 52 points (4th, Pacific Division, 19th overall); GF: 147 (19th overall); GA: 161 (20th overall); PP: 16.8% (21st overall); PK: 79.2% (19th overall)
On Jan. 1: 19-19-4 (9-9-1 home, 10-10-3 away) 42 points (5th, Pacific Division, 18th overall); GF: 124 (14th overall); GA: 133 (26th overall); PP: 17.8% (20th overall); PK: 77.8% (21st overall)
On Dec. 1: 11-14-3 (5-5-1 home, 6-9-2 away) 25 points (6th, Pacific Division; 24th overall); GF: 81 (13th overall); GA: 100 (30th overall); PP: 18.9% (19th overall); PK: 76.2% (25th overall)
On Nov. 1: 8-6-0 (4-2-0 home, 4-4-0 away) 16 points (1st, Pacific Division; 7th overall); GF: 40 (9th overall); GA: 44 (27th overall); PP: 17.0% (20th overall); PK:83.3% (9th overall).
Leading scorers (through March 1)
(54 GP, 26-30-56), (65 GP, 23-25-48), (52 GP, 21-22-43), Antoine Roussel (60 GP, 9-20-29), Nikolay Goldobin (56 GP, 7-19-26). Goalies: (49 GP, 23-18-8, 2.71 GAA, .913 save percentage), Thatcher Demko (2 GP, 1-1-0, 4.00 GAA, .873 save percentage)
On Feb. 1: Pettersson (40 GP, 23-22-45), Horvat (51 GP, 18-23-41), Boeser (38 GP, 16-18-34), Goldobin (44 GP, 5-18-23), Loui Eriksson (51 GP, 9-11-20). Goalies: Markstrom (37 GP, 19-13-5, 2.84 GAA, .908 save percentage), Demko (1 GP, 1-0-0, 3.00 GAA, .923 save percentage)
On Jan. 1: Pettersson (36 GP, 19-20-39), Horvat (42 GP, 17-18-35), Boeser (29 GP, 14-12-26), Goldobin (41 GP, 5-18-23), Jake Virtanen (42 GP, 11-7-18). Goalies: Markstrom (29 GP, 16-10-3, 2.80 GAA, .910 save percentage), Anders Nilsson (12 GP, 3-8-1, 3.09 GAA, .895 save percentage). NOTE: Nilsson was traded to Ottawa.
On Dec. 1: Horvat (28 GP, 11-13-24), Pettersson (22 GP, 13-9-22), Goldobin (28 GP, 4-12-16), Boeser (15 GP; 6-7-13), Virtanen (28 GP, 8-4-12). Goalies: Markstrom (20 GP, 8-9-3, 3.31 GAA, .897 save percentage), Nilsson (7 GP, 3-4-0, 2.86 GAA, .902 save percentage).
On Nov. 1: Pettersson (8 GP, 7-3-10), Horvat (14 GP, 7-3-10), Virtanen (14 GP, 5-2-7), Boeser (12 GP, 2-5-7). Goalies: Markstrom (8 GP, 5-3-0, 2.96 GAA, .911 save percentage), Nilsson (6 GP, 3-3-0, 2.67 GAA, .912 save percentage).
RELATED:
Fun number
(Four-time champ!) Forward Tim Schaller has now played 36 games and has yet to record his first goal as a Canuck. Bonus numbers: Pettersson and Troy Stecher are both plus-13 on the season, while Ben Hutton is minus-18.
Player of the month
Markstrom has become the single-biggest reason Canucks fans aren鈥檛 all focusing on presumptive No. 1 overall draft pick Jack Hughes. He has done yeoman鈥檚 work behind a suspect defence corps all season. Will his efforts merit a contract extension?
Best goal
Pettersson with the nifty individual effort to set up Boeser.
Biggest surprise
Stick tap to Roussel, the pesky shift disturber who is also his team鈥檚 fourth-leading scorer. But the emergence of the oft-maligned Markstrom as a solid No. 1 netminder has to be considered a most pleasant development.
Biggest disappointment
Plenty of candidates this time around. Schaller could win every month, but doesn鈥檛 play enough. Virtanen (one goal, four points in his last 16 games) fell off a cliff after a solid first half of the season. But the nod here goes (in absentia) to d-man Erik Gudbranson, a willing fighter who wasn鈥檛 a very good defenceman during his tenure with the Canucks. Gudbranson was traded at the deadline to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward Tanner Pearson.
Best win
A resounding seems so long ago.
Worst loss
A few contenders here as well, but a was particularly nasty.
Best fight
Newcomer Zac MacEwen makes his presence felt in his first NHL scrap, earning a decision over San Jose鈥檚 Barclay Goodrow.
Injury update
A handful of Canucks are currently on injured reserve. Sven Baertschi (undisclosed), Brandon Sutter (mid-body), Chris Tanev (ankle) and Virtanen (fractured rib) are on the shelf.
On the farm
Vancouver鈥檚 American Hockey League affiliate, the , slipped down a rung to fourth (30-21-7) in the league鈥檚 North Division. Veteran Reid Boucher (26-27-53) leads the squad in scoring, with Tanner Kero (21-27-48) not far behind.
Coming this month
The Canucks have a with 14 games in a 28-day span and will need to reel off a hefty winning streak if they have any shot at the playoffs. Eight of their final 10 March games are at home. Vancouver plays in Las Vegas March 3, with a rematch in Vancouver March 9. Other games: Toronto (March 6), at Edmonton (March 7), New York Rangers (March 13), New Jersey (March 15), at Dallas (March 17), at Chicago (March 18), Ottawa (March 20), Calgary (March 23), Columbus (March 26), L.A. (March 28) and Dallas (March 30)
Extended Canucks coverage
Like the VIFD on
Vancouver Island Free Daily editor Philip Wolf can be reached via email at philip.wolf@blackpress.ca or on Twitter
