The Canucks have been the best surprise of the 2023-24 season
By Jim Lynch
The Vancouver Canucks entered the 2023-24 season hoping for a better result. Last season the Canucks finished the year 38-37-7 and missed the playoffs for the third year in a row, but this year they look like a real contender in the West.
The Vancouver Canucks have been the best surprise of the 2023-24 season
In ten games, the Canucks have gone 7-2-1, including a big win in their most recent game beating the San Jose Sharks 10-1. Across the board, this team has been playing great hockey particularly led by captain Quinn Hughes, who has 19 points including five goals.
Another big reason for the Canucks success has to be goaltender Thatcher Demko. After a down year last season, Demko has rebounded with a .940 save percentage and a goals against average of just 1.79 per game.
The Canucks’ 46 goals is the best in the league, and their defensive numbers are top five as well. Across the board, the Canucks have had a lot of success and now they have to be taken seriously as a playoff team.
To this point, the Canucks have had a pretty light schedule. They have faced off against Edmonton, Nashville, St. Louis and San Jose, and their losses have come against some tough opponents like Tampa Bay and New York Rangers. Personally, I think the big test for the Canucks is yet to come.
The Canucks have some big matchups this month. Their next game on Saturday is against the Dallas Stars, and in the next few weeks the Canucks have to face the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken twice. That is to say nothing of the Canucks showdown with the Vegas Golden Knights right at the end of November.
The point is, this is going to be a trying month for the Canucks, and while starting off 7-2-1 is great, there are some major tests ahead. The Canucks have been the biggest surprise to start the 2023-24 season, and this month the team can prove they are one of the top teams in the Pacific Division.