In our latest edition of “The Stats Behind The Game,” we delve into the Vancouver Canucks’ recent 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Dallas Stars, uncovering the numbers that shaped the outcome.
When examining the game, it becomes apparent that the Canucks faced an uphill battle at even strength. Falling short in both scoring chances, with 26 compared to Dallas’s 32, and high-danger opportunities, trailing 12-16, Vancouver struggled to convert their efforts into goals.
Special teams also played a pivotal role in the match, with over 13 minutes spent on the power play. Despite having six minutes of man advantage, the Canucks failed to capitalize, generating only two scoring chances and no high-danger opportunities. In contrast, Dallas seized their opportunities, scoring two goals during their 7:47 of power play time, accumulating eight scoring chances and five high-danger chances. This discrepancy underscores Vancouver’s need for improvement in both capitalizing on power play opportunities and defending against them.
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A closer look at the heatmap reveals a concerning trend for the Canucks. Despite producing eight high-danger shots, they were unable to penetrate the Dallas defense, particularly in the middle of the ice where goaltender Jake Oettinger stood firm against every high-danger attempt. Defensive lapses allowed all three Stars goals, including an empty-netter, to originate from close range, highlighting the need for improved defensive coverage.
Individual performances also merit attention, with Nils Höglander emerging as a standout player despite limited ice time. Despite playing just 11:48 at even strength, Höglander managed to create one individual high-danger chance, contributing to Vancouver’s slight advantage in scoring chances and parity in high-danger chances while he was on the ice.
As the Canucks reflect on this loss, attention turns to addressing the areas of concern highlighted by the analytics, with a focus on improving both offensive efficiency and defensive solidity in preparation for future matchups.
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