1. Will their goalies step up to the challenge?
This is Thatcher Demko’s first season as a full-time starter, and Braden Holtby is coming off the worst season of his 10-year career. This season is going to be a tough one for both guys as it is a completely unconventional season. The Canucks have seven back-to-backs on their schedule, including four in the first two months of the season. Goalies are notorious creatures of habit, and this season is going to be all but predictable.
The Dallas Stars have had six players and two staff members test positive for COVID-19, and their schedule had to be completely changed. This is the reality for the 2020-21 season, and it will be important for Demko and Holtby to be adaptable.
In a condensed schedule, goaltending is the most important position. There is no room for a slump, and the Vancouver Canucks need both of their goalies to be rolling if they want to make it to the playoffs. All the Canadian teams have solid goaltending so it’s up to Demko and Holtby to outperform them.