[GDT] Tues Feb 20 2024 - Vancouver Canucks @ Colorado Avs - 6:00pm PT/9:00pm ET - Denver

[OldFaithfulcap]

Media

 

TV: Sportsnet, Hulu+ (USA)

Radio: Sportsnet 650

 

Overview

 

Every game ahead is a new challenge. Tonight is the avalanche. Avalanches in nature happen when the weaker ice gives away and the top layers overpower you and wipe you out. That's what we're up against. Elite players like mackinnon, makar and rantanen who want to bury you. How do you survive it? You put down deep roots and finish checks, you shake out their bottom six before the top lines accumulate pressure and points. 

 

Scoring is not an issue for us - this game is about control. We need every line to forecheck hard. We need to play tough but smart and stay out of the box. When things go bad, we just need to keep it simple and outwork. That's what got us here and what gives us our chance to overcome them. 

 

Whole team effort tonight, let's show them why we're on top. 

 

 

 

Starting Lineups

 

 

Canucks - From pre-game rushes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avs - confirmed from warmup

 

 

 

Team Stats

 

Spoiler

 

Player Stats

 

Spoiler

 

Goalie Stats

 

Spoiler

 

Previous Games

 

Spoiler

 

 

Canucks Game Notes

 

Spoiler

MATCH-UP INFO

• Tonight marks the second of three meetings between the Canucks and Avalanche this season: Nov. 22 (road, 5-2 L), Feb. 20 (road), and Mar. 13 (home).
• Vancouver is 78-67-15-13 all-time against Colorado, including a 37-35-8-6 record on the road.
• The Canucks are 4-4-2 in their last 10 games against the Avalanche (3-2-0 in their last 5).
• Elias Lindholm leads all active Canucks skaters in scoring against Colorado with 15 points (7-8-15) in 23 career games.
• J.T. Miller has 14 points (6-8-14) in 18 career games against the Avalanche.
• Thatcher Demko is 1-3-1 with a 4.57 GAA and a .843 save percentage in five career games against Colorado.
• In two career games (2-0-0), Casey DeSmith has a 1.94 GAA and a .954 save percentage versus the Avalanche. 

QUICK NUMBERS

• Elias Pettersson has 12 points (4-8-12) in his last 10 games.
• Quinn Hughes has registered 11 points (0-11-11) in his last 10 games, totaling 68 points overall this season (12-56-68). He currently ranks 1st in the league for points amongst defencemen.
• J.T. Miller ranks t-3rd in the league in primary assists with 34.
• Filip Hronek (+36) is currently 2nd in the league in +/-.
• Thatcher Demko currently leads the league in wins (30). Demko is fourth in the league (min. 30 starts) with a .918 save percentage.
• The Vancouver Canucks currently rank 1st in the league and have the highest goal differential (+58) this season. The Canucks currently have the most wins (31) when leading after two periods, have opened the scoring 37 times this season (leading the NHL), and have the most wins when scoring first (28).

LAST MEETING – NOV. 22/23, VAN 2 at COL 5

Nils Hoglander opened scoring for the game at 16:23 in the first period to extend his point streak to four games, the longest of his career…Anthony Beauvillier and Sam Lafferty were credited with assists on the play, both registering an assist in back to back games…J.T. Miller scored a goal at 9:04 in the second period to tie the game, extending his point streak to nine games (7-7- 14)…Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek recorded the assists…Hughes extended his point streak to nine games (4-11-15)…J.T. Miller won 17 face-offs, tying the Canucks season high…Ian Cole (6) matched the Canucks season high in blocked shots.

 

LAST GAME PLAYED  – FEB. 19/24: VAN 7 at MIN 10

Ian Cole opened the scoring just 2:51 into the contest…Tyler Myers and Pius Suter picked up the assists…J.T. Miller doubled the lead with 6:39 left in the first…Noah Juulsen recorded the lone assist…Minnesota cut the lead to one with 50 seconds remaining in the first…Elias Pettersson re-established the two-goal lead 5:37 into the second…Nils Höglander and Elias Lindholm were credited with the assists…Miller scored his second of the game just before the 10 minute mark of the period…Quinn Hughes and Brock Boeser assisted on the goal…Minnesota cut the lead to two with nine minutes left in the second…Miller scored his third of the contest with 5:30 remaining in the second…Suter recorded the only assist…Minnesota scored six unanswered goals, concluding at 5:12 of the third…Nikita Zadorov got Vancouver within two with 8:26 gone in the third…Miller and Suter were awarded the assists…Boeser scored his 31st of the season with 2:08 remaining…Hughes and Filip Hronek had the assists…Minnesota scored two empty netters to conclude the scoring…Pettersson and Miller co-led the team in shots (4)…Miller led the team in hits with five…Cole had a team-high four blocked shots…Casey DeSmith made 17 saves.

LAST 5 - vs COLORADO

• Nov. 22/23: VAN 2 at COL 5
• Jan. 20/23: VAN 1 vs COL 4
• Jan. 5/23: VAN 4 vs COL 2
• Nov. 23/22: VAN 4 at COL 3
• Mar. 23/22: VAN 3 at COL 1

VENI, VIDI, PETEY

• Scoring the 165th goal of his career Feb. 19 at MIN, Elias Pettersson tied Ulf Dahlen for the sixth-most goals by a Swedish born player within their first six NHL seasons.
• After recording a three-assist game on Feb. 15/24 vs DET, Elias Pettersson became the 10th player in franchise history to record at least 10 three-assist games with the franchise.
• By recording a three-point game on Feb. 15/24 vs DET, Elias Pettersson (395 points) passed Brendan Morrison for 4th place for most career points among primary centres in franchise history. Bo Horvat (420), Thomas Gradin (550) and Henrik Sedin (1070) pace the list.
• Elias Pettersson recorded a three-point game on Feb. 15/24 vs DET, marking his 35th three-point game. He currently ranks 9th for most three-point games in franchise history, Trevor Linden (37 GP) is 8th and Thomas Gradin (38 GP) is 9th. He also recorded his 11th three-point game of the season, the most in a season by a Canuck since Daniel (15) and Henrik Sedin (12) in 2009.10.
• After recording three points on Feb. 10/24 at DET, Elias Pettersson (17) ranks t-5th for most 3+ point performances on the road in franchise history. Daniel Sedin (31 GP) paces the list.

QUINNSANITY

• Recording two assists Feb. 19 at MIN, Quinn Hughes reached 55 assists on the season, reaching that mark for the third time in his career. In doing so, he became the 5th defenceman in NHL history with at least 3+ 55 assist seasons before their 25th birthday.
• After recording a helper on Feb. 13/24 at CHI, Quinn Hughes (307) ranks t-5th for most career points by a defenceman in Canucks franchise history. He is currently tied with Doug Lidster. Jyrki Lumme (321), Dennis Kearns (321), Mattias Ohlund (325) and Alexander Edler (409) pace the list.
• By recording an assist on Feb. 11/24 at WSH, Quinn Hughes (170 GP) recorded his 150th career road point. He is t-4th for fewest games required to reach that mark. He is tied with Ray Bourque and Bobby Orr (146 GP) paces the list.
• Quinn Hughes (53 assists) ranks t-1st for most assists recorded through a players first 53 games of a season in franchise history. He is tied with Henrik Sedin (53 assists, 2009.10).
• By recording a multi-assist game on Feb. 6/24 at CAR, Quinn Hughes owns the Canucks franchise record for most assists through 50 games with 52. He passed Henrik Sedin (50 assists, 2009.10 and 2010.11).
• After recording two assists on Feb. 6/24 at CAR, Quinn Hughes ranks t-6th for most assists recorded by a defenseman through 50 games of a season. He has recorded 52 assists through 50 games this season. Bobby Orr paces the list with 61 assists through 50 games (1969.70 and 1970.71). He is one of five defensemen to complete this feat, Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, Sergei Zubov and Brian Leetch are the others.
• By recording a multi-assist period on Jan. 27/24 vs CBJ, Quinn Hughes has accomplished this feat 33 times. He ranks t-5th for most for most in franchise history. Stan Smyl (35), Thomas Gradin (39), Daniel Sedin (49) and Henrik Sedin (79) pace the list. He is currently tied with Andre Boudrias.
• Quinn Hughes ranks t-7th for fewest games needed to reach 50 assists in NHL history. Hughes also ranks t-5th for fewest number of games needed to reach 60 points since 1990.91. Hughes did so in 49 games.
• Hughes (26 GP) ranks t-6th for most 3+ point games by a defenseman before their 25th birthday. Phil Housley (28 GP) ranks 5th and Paul Coffey paces the list (77 GP).
• After picking up three assists on Jan. 27/24 vs CBJ, Quinn Hughes now has 20 such performances in his career, ranking second in Canucks franchise history. Henrik Sedin Paces the list (36 GP).
• By assisting on three goals on Jan. 27/24 vs CBJ, Quinn Hughes became the sixth defenceman in NHL history to record eight three-assist games in a season. The only other defencemen to do so are Bobby Orr (5x), Paul Coffey (2x), Ray Bourque, Phil Housley, and Roman Josi. Hughes also became the first Canuck in franchise history to accomplish this feat.
• Quinn Hughes (26 GP) currently ranks 8th all-time among defencemen for most 3+ point games within their first six seasons. Paul Coffey (77 GP) paces the list.

IT’S MILLER TIME

• Scoring three goals (and adding an assists) Feb. 19 at MIN, J.T. Miller became the third player in franchise history to record a hat trick against the Wild, joining Ryan Kesler (Apr. 7/11) and Markus Naslund (Nov. 21/07).
• By scoring the GWG at 4:55 in OT on Feb. 11/24 at WSH, J.T. Miller became the third Canuck to score a goal in the final five seconds of OT. Sami Salo (4:59, Oct. 20/06) and Daniel Sedin (4:55, Oct. 7/07) are the only other players to complete this feat in franchise history.
• J.T. Miller tied the record for the fourth fastest player in Canucks franchise history to record 60 points in a season. Miller reached the 60-point mark in just 44 games, tying Henrik Sedin (2009.10). Pavel Bure bests the list after reaching 60 points in 41 games in the 1992.93 season.
• After registering a goal and an assist on Jan. 20/24 vs TOR, J.T. Miller (61 GP) ranks 9th for most such efforts in franchise history. Daniel Sedin paces the list (145 GP)

FIRST PAST THE POST

• With J.T. Miller scoring his 25th, 26th, and 27th goals of the season Feb. 19 at MIN, the Canucks became the first team in the NHL this season with three 25+ goal scorers.
• The Canucks were the first team in the NHL to have 11 players with 10 or more goals this season.

EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM

• The Vancouver Canucks have the best first period goal differential in the league (+26). The single-season franchise record is +35, set by the 2011.12 Canucks.
• With Ian Cole’s first period tally Feb. 19 at MIN, the Canucks scored their 10th goal within the first three minutes of a game, tying the Minnesota Wild for the most in the NHL this season.

ELIAS LIND-HIM

• After recording the GWG on Feb. 15/24 vs DET, Elias Lindholm (2 GWG’s) tied the franchise record for most GWG’s recorded by a player through their first six games as a Canuck.
• Scoring two goals in his sixth game as a Canuck, Elias Lindholm became the 5th player with multiple two-goal games in their first six games with the Canucks. Thomas Gradin, Esa Tikkanen, Martin Gelinas, Alexander Mogilny also completed this feat. He also became the 7th player in franchise history to record multiple goals in his first home game.
• By scoring two goals in his Canuck debut on Feb. 6/24 at CAR, Elias Lindholm became the 65th player in Canucks franchise history to score a goal in their debut game. He also became the 5th player in franchise history to score 2+ goals in their first game with the Canucks. The other players are Esa Tikkanen, Greg D. Adams, Thomas Gradin and Claire Alexander.

SETTING RECORDS

• After scoring four goals on Feb. 15/24 vs DET, the 2023.24 Vancouver Canucks have 203 goals in just 55 games this season. They currently rank 4th for most goals scored as a team through the first 55 games of a season. The 1992.93 Canucks pace the list with 243 goals. This marked the 6th time the Canucks scored 200+ goals within their first 55 games of a season and the first time since 1992.93.
• By defeating the Blackhawks in Chicago on Feb. 13/24, the 2023.24 Vancouver Canucks (30 GP) required the t-2nd fewest games to record 40 road points in a season. The 2011.12 Vancouver Canucks also completed this feat. The 2002.03 Vancouver Canucks (29 GP) pace the list.
• After a comeback win on Jan. 27/24 vs CBJ, the Vancouver Canucks (49 GP) required the fewest number of games needed to reach the 70-point mark in a season, the previous best was 50 games.
• By recording their fifth shutout at home and sixth of the season on Jan. 22/24, the 2023.24 Vancouver Canucks rank t-5th for most shutouts recorded at home in a season in franchise history. The 2008.09 and 2011.12 Canucks pace the list with seven shutouts.
• After defeating the Blackhawks at home on Jan. 22/24, the 2023.24 Vancouver Canucks (17 wins) rank 2nd for most wins in a season within the team's first 22 home games. The 1992.93 Canucks own the record with 18 wins in 22 home games.
• By a 2-1 win over the Coyotes on Jan. 18/24, the 2023.24 Vancouver Canucks own the franchise record for fewest games needed to reach 30 wins in a season. Vancouver reached this mark in 45 games. The previous record was held by both the 2010.11 and 2011.12 Canucks, both teams recorded 30 wins in 49 games.

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

• J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson both needed 55 games to reach 70 points this season. They both rank t-7th for fewest games needed to reach that mark. Pettersson (2022.23, 54 GP) ranks t-5th. They are also the 4th different duo to record 70+ points within their teams first 55 games since 2007.
• After both recording two goals in a 5-4 win on Jan. 27/24 vs CBJ, Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser have each scored a goal in the same game 34 times. The Canucks have a record of 32-1-1 in such games (now 32-2-1).
• J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson are the fastest Canucks duo to record 60 points in a season, reaching the mark in 46 games. The previous record was 48 games in 2009.10 held by Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

THATCHER THE SNATCHER

• Thatcher Demko (40 GP) owns the franchise record for fewest games needed to reach 30 wins in a season. The previous record was set by Roberto Luongo who had 30 wins in 48 games in 2008.09. Demko (40 GP) ranks t-9th for fewest games needed to reach 30 wins in a season in NHL history. He is the 5th active goaltender to complete this feat.
• Thatcher Demko recorded his 110th career win on Feb.13/24 at CHI, he holds sole possession of 4th place for most wins by a goaltender in Canucks franchise history. Roberto Luongo (252), Kirk McLean (211) and Richard Brodeur (126) all pace the list.
• Thatcher Demko owns the franchise record for most wins in a non-overlapping 20 game stretch. Demko recorded 17 wins in his last 20 games lasting from Dec. 9/24 - Feb. 13/24, the previous record was 16, held by Dan Cloutier, Roberto Luongo, and Ryan Miller.
• Thatcher Demko recorded a career-high nine-game winning streak lasting from Jan. 6/24 at NJD – Feb. 6/24 at CAR. He tied Dan Cloutier for the longest win streak in Canucks franchise history.
• After recording a win on Feb. 6/24 at CAR, Thatcher Demko (45, now 47) currently ranks 4th for most wins by a Canucks goalie on the road. Dan Cloutier (50), Kirk McLean (86) and Roberto Luongo (105) all pace the list.

DAK DAK CITY

• Dakota Joshua recorded three points (1-2-3) on Feb.13/24 at CHI, setting a career-high for points in a game, he also recorded his first career Gordie Howe hat trick during the game, making him the first player since Tanner Pearson (Jan. 1/22) with a Gordie Howe hat trick.
• Joshua has now set season career-highs in goals (13), assists (13), points (26), game winning goals (4), and shooting percentage (18.8%). His previous bests for each category were set last season.

HÖGGING THE PUCK

• Nils Höglander has scored all 17 of his goals this season at even strength. He has scored all but two goals at even strength during his career.
• After scoring two goals in the opening period on Jan. 20/24 vs TOR, Nils Höglander set his career high for goals in a season with 14 (now 17). His previous high was 13 set in his rookie season in 2020.21.

FILIP THE SCORESHEET

• After recording a three-point game on Feb. 10/24 at DET, Filip Hronek (56 GP) ranks t-4th for fewest number of games needed to record 40 points with the Canucks franchise. He Is tied with Quinn Hughes and Paul Reinhart (44 GP) paces the list.

CALL 1-800-LIFE-LINE TODAY

• Through a 30-game stretch lasting from Dec. 2/23 – Feb. 13/24, the Life Line (Dakota Joshua – Teddy Blueger – Conor Garland) put up 60 points (23-47-60). In this stretch, Dakota Joshua had 20 points (10-10-20), Teddy Blueger had 20 points (4-16-20), and Conor Garland had 20 points (9-11-20). The Canucks had a record of 21-4-5 over this stretch.

HOW MANY POINTS?

• The 2023.24 Vancouver Canucks (73 points) own the franchise record for most standing points recorded through 50 games of a season. The previous record was held by the 2010.11 Canucks who had 71 points through 50 games.

HEY SIRI, PLAY STARBOY BY THE WEEKND

• On Feb. 1/24, the NHL named Elias Pettersson the Second Star of the Month. During the month, Pettersson became the fifth player in Canucks franchise history to record 14 goals in a month and the first since Alexandre Burrows (15 goals, January 2010). Elias Pettersson recorded 21 points (14-7-21) in 13 games.
• On Jan. 15/24, Elias Pettersson was named NHL’s First Star of the Week after posting nine points (5-4-9) and helping lead the Canucks to a 5-game road winning streak, the third instance in the past 10 years in franchise history. During the week he recorded two 4-point games and became the first player in NHL history to record GWG’s in four straight road games whilst also matching the second longest streak of GWG’s. He was also named to the NHL’s All-Star game for the fourth time and was selected to participate in the NHL’s skills competition.
• Elias Pettersson was previously named Second Star of the Week, during the NHL season opening week and Second Star of the Month during October.

SIX CANUCKS HEADED TO THE 6IX

• After acquiring Elias Lindholm from Calgary on Jan. 31/24, the Canucks had six players represent the team at the All-Star game, the most by a team since 1988.
• On Jan. 13/24, the NHL announced that Elias Petersson, Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes, J.T. Miller, Thatcher Demko and Rick Tocchet would be representing the Vancouver Canucks at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto. Demko received the most fan votes out of all players eligible for voting. The 2023.24 season will mark the first time Miller has been named an All-Star.
• The 2023.24 Vancouver Canucks are the first team in franchise history to send five players and a coach to the NHL All-Star game, the previous best being three players and a coach in the 2002.03 and 2010.11 seasons. They are also the first team in the NHL since the Colorado Avalanche in 2000.01 to have five players named as all-stars.
• Quinn Hughes and J.T. Miller also received the highest number of votes to participate in the NHL All-Star Skills Competition. They join Elias Pettersson who will also represent the Canucks in the competition.

GOOD, BETTER, BOES-T

• By scoring a hat trick on Jan. 27/24 vs CBJ, Brock Boeser became the eighth player in franchise history to record three hat tricks in a season. Ryan Kesler was the last player to complete this feat in 2010.11.
• Brock Boeser ranks t-5th for most hat tricks (6) recorded by a player in Canucks franchise history. Stan Smyl (7), Pavel Bure (9), Markus Naslund (10) and Tony Tanti (10) all pace the list.
• Boeser also reached the 30-goal mark in a season for the first time in his career, accomplishing this feat in only 49 games into the season. He joined Bo Horvat (42 GP, 2022.23) and Markus Naslund (41 GP, 2002.03) as the third Canuck in the past 25 years to score 30 goals before their 50th game of the season.

 

 

 

Edited February 22 by OldFaithfulcap
x

[Reg]

Well lets see if the boys remember how to play a disciplined hockey game and wish them the best. They're our team and this is the time to stick together. Cheers!

[c00kies]

This is a must win!

[Nucker67]

Canucks will probably win, they might be pissed with giving up 10 today. Demko's back in, but he'll need to be back on his game. 

 

Kessel almost ready? These young, inexperienced Canucks need some pre-playoff leadership to help them calm the F down. 

[HKSR]

We've seen the phantom calls and calls on embellished actions by the other team... 

We've seen the parade of 5 on 3s...

 

Up next tomorrow is the parade of 5min majors and game misconducts... oh wait, that happened already didn't it?

 

Ok just a bunch of double minors then...

 

Gotta make it look different game to game right?

 

Edited February 20 by HKSR

[Jaimito]

Bounce back game, very needed. 

 

Not sure if Bains will get in. 

 

Demko in for sure.  

[Dom]

I don't have much to say. Just show up and play disciplined. 

[-dlc-]

It's sad....I'm almost scared to watch the game.

I don't feel excited, I feel stressed out and nervous.

 

I didn't bargain for this shit.

 

I just hope for a fair game. The team's been good for the most part...I've had enough crap reffing to last me a lifetime though. I'm almost wishing for Trevor Hanson.

[24K]

So bets on how long the penalty box parade gonna be this game? 10 continuous min? Seems a bit low. 

[Rocket-68]

25 minutes ago, -dlc- said:

It's sad....I'm almost scared to watch the game.

I don't feel excited, I feel stressed out and nervous.

 

I didn't bargain for this shit.

 

I just hope for a fair game. The team's been good for the most part...I've had enough crap reffing to last me a lifetime though. I'm almost wishing for Trevor Hanson.

 

All good, our team will persevere ... I am putting money on our Boyz to win, taking the over on 6.5 ... just to make it exciting  and I believe in the team.

Edited February 20 by Rocket-68

[CanuckDownUnder]

Looking forward to a statement game. If they aren't pissed and ready to dominate there is something very wrong.

[Rip The Mesh]

"The Vancouver Canucks are the odds on favorites to do better in this game then they did their last"

[hockeyfan-observer]

I am hoping for a game that has some flow for once - let the players decide the outcome - and not a parade to the box.  You think we would see 4 x two man advantages in a playoff game - I don't want crazy multiple Canuck PPs  to start either cuz you know the refs tend the even up later in the game - probably at the worst time. 

 

If they do let them play, will give us a better idea where the team stands and needs improvement / changes if needed.

 

Edited February 20 by hockeyfan-observer

[PeteyBoeser]

Play disciplined hockey and we win! Hands to ourselves!

[Pears]

As long as Bettman's crooks don't steal the momentum again if we have it we should be just fine. 

[24K]

2 minutes ago, PeteyBoeser said:

Play disciplined hockey and we win! Hands to ourselves!

At this point other than delay of game, and high stick, I don't know what is disciplined hockey. 

 

Heck I don't even know what constitute too many man. 

[BPA]

Just Win.

 

F*** the Refs.

[Rip The Mesh]

 

                                                                                       

 

[Rip The Mesh]

the old days.............

 

[Jaimito]

 

 

 

[Slegr]

Win or lose, just have fun, boys. And maybe make some new friends.

[PhillipBlunt]

As long as the turds in stripes are on the ice…..

[I.AM.THE.WALRUS]

J U S T …………..

[Rocket-68]

17 minutes ago, PhillipBlunt said:

As long as the turds in stripes are on the ice…..

 

The refs called in and felt really bad about the way the game was called and promised to do much better tomorrow ... in fact

 

 

JUST WIN! GO CANUCKS GO!

OVERCOME EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE ZEBRAS IF NEED BE

Edited February 20 by Rocket-68

[SnakeDoctor]

If they can score 7 goals they got a shot at winning this time.