Canucks Come Out of Holiday Break with Revenge on the Menu Against Flyers…
After a brief hiatus for the holidays, the Vancouver Canucks are set to resume action at Rogers Arena with a showdown against the Philadelphia Flyers, pitting two of December’s most formidable NHL teams against each other.
Both squads have displayed impressive performances this month, with the Canucks boasting an 8-1-2 record, closely trailed by the Flyers at 7-1-2. Notably, both teams have thrived on solid goaltending and efficient scoring from high-danger areas.
The Flyers have relied on a duo of young goaltenders this season, with Carter Hart leading with 18 starts and Samuel Ersson contributing 13 starts. Ersson’s increased workload in December stemmed from Hart’s recent battle with illness. The clash between these teams is anticipated to hinge on special teams, particularly with the Flyers excelling in penalty kill at 85.8%, while their power play lags behind as the league’s worst with a mere 10.6% conversion rate.
A key focus is on the Flyers’ newly formed top line, comprising Owen Tippett, Sean Couturier, and Travis Konecny. Despite limited ice time together this season, Couturier and Konecny have demonstrated synergy, contributing to 11 goals while on the ice. Tippett, a 2017 NHL Entry Draft 10th overall pick, brings a potent scoring threat to the lineup.
Konecny stands out for the Flyers, leading in both goals (16) and points (27). Impressively, he has more shorthanded goals (3) than power play goals (2) this season. The Flyers, ranked fourth in the league with seven shorthanded goals, contrast with the Canucks, the only team yet to concede a shorthanded goal this season.
The Flyers have infused youth into their lineup, featuring impactful players aged 23 and under, including undrafted defenseman Yegor Zamula, who scored the game-winning goal against the Canucks earlier this season. Other notable young talents include Joel Farabee, Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, and Cam York, all drafted within the top 35 picks in recent NHL drafts.
Vancouver, eager to resume action after the holiday break, sits atop the league with a 23-9-3 record and 49 points. The Canucks have particularly thrived on home ice, boasting a formidable 13-3-1 record at Rogers Arena, buoyed by strong support from the home crowd.
Prior to the break, attention was drawn to the Canucks’ third line, featuring Conor Garland, Teddy Blueger, and Dakota Joshua. This trio, spending 167 minutes together at five-on-five, outscored opponents 10-4. Over the past six games, Blueger has led the line with eight points, with Garland and Joshua contributing seven each, including five goals by Joshua. Impressively, all 23 points from this line have come at even strength.
As the Canucks return to action, three players find themselves in the league’s top-10 for scoring. J.T. Miller leads the charge with 48 points, ranking third in the league. Quinn Hughes tops defenseman scoring with 44 points, tied for fifth in overall league scoring, while Elias Pettersson sits ninth with 43 points. Additionally, Brock Boeser ranks second in the league with 24 goals, trailing only Auston Matthews with 28.
With Thursday’s game marking the Canucks’ final appearance in 2023 before embarking on a challenging seven-game road trip starting January 4th, the team aims to leverage the break for intensive practice, preparing for a successful second half of the season after a demanding pre-holiday schedule.
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