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For much of this season, the Vancouver Canucks have looked like Stanley Cup front-runners.
But since mid-February, they’re a positively “meh” team – going 10-10-2 in their last 22 games – and some Canucks fans are concerned they could be careening toward a quick playoff exit.
There are still many permutations of who Vancouver will take on in the first round, but we can certainly break down the teams they might face to kick off the post-season and determine which ones they may rather face. While they could have the edge against some strong squads, others may surprise them.
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Vegas Golden Knights
If the Dallas Stars top the Western Conference, the Canucks could take on the team currently in the first wild-card berth based on points percentage – and that’s the Golden Knights.
Even though Vegas is 9-3-1 since the trade deadline, the Golden Knights have put up an 11-11-2 record since Feb. 9, the lowest points percentage among potential opponents. The Canucks have a 1-2-0 record against Vegas this season, with one final clash between the two teams on Monday in Vancouver.
The Golden Knights could be one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament, a group with a terrific playoff pedigree and the motivation to win back-to-back Cups. That said, the Canucks should fare well against Vegas, especially once they get back star goalie Thatcher Demko. And getting the Golden Knights out of the way early would be a big boost of confidence.
Vegas’ goaltending can also be above average, but Adin Hill, who backstopped them for most of the way to a Stanley Cup, has been on and off. He’s had a 4-8-0 record and .881 save percentage since Feb. 9, and he’s been out since late March with a lower-body injury. Logan Thompson’s played more games this season and has a decent .908 save percentage and 2.72 goals-against average, but we think Demko would be the best netminder in the series.
Vancouver has more goals-for and fewer goals against than Vegas. With Rick Tocchet turning this team around from no playoffs last year, they’re higher up in the standings than the Golden Knights and still have lots they’d like to prove against them.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are far less likely to play the Canucks in the first round than other teams on this list. But if that showdown does materialize, Vancouver does look like they’ll have the edge.
The Canucks have a 3-0-0 record against Edmonton this season, with one regular-season game still left to play. Vancouver has outscored the Oilers 18-6 in those three games. While the Oilers have vastly improved in the standings since those games in October and November, the Canucks upgraded their roster as well.
Even if the Oilers and Canucks win their separate first-round series, they’ll be facing each other somewhere along the way. If that happens, Vancouver fans should have a good degree of confidence the Canucks can emerge victorious. Vancouver has the depth and speed to keep up with Edmonton, and again, having Demko healthy and ready to go would give the Canucks the all-important edge in this series.
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Los Angeles Kings
If Vancouver remains in first place in the Pacific Division, a square-off with the Kings – which are looking like a lock for one of the wild-card berths – is a very real possibility. But it’s not necessarily the best series for the Canucks.
Vancouver fell 6-3 to Los Angeles in their most recent meeting on April 6, and they’ve gone 1-3-0 against the Kings this year. While the Kings are also a flawed team, they’ve gone 7-3-0 in their last 10 games, and their mix of experience and youth would give the Canucks a serious run for their money.
Vancouver has the size advantage on the back end, but at their best, the Kings can exploit less-mobile defenses to their benefit. L.A. is still trying to establish its identity as a playoff performer, but the Kings can absorb Vancouver’s puck possession pushes and reply with some high-octane play of its own. The Canucks may want to put off a series against Los Angeles to a later round, as the Kings are coming into the post-season playing with confidence and urgency.
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Nashville Predators
As another wild-card team, the Predators may wind up being the team Vancouver takes on in first round. Anyone who’s watched Nashville devour the competition since mid-February – they’ve gone 18-4-2 in that span — knows that no team, the Canucks included, should be hoping to take on the Predators.
It’s true Vancouver has gone 3-0 against the Predators this year, but both those games took place early in the regular season. Nashville is riding the hot hand of Juuse Saros, and a Saros and Demko goalie battle would make for thrilling hockey.
The Predators are more or less playing with house money this season, and any playoff series victories likely would be gravy for them. The Canucks, on the other hand, have all kinds of pressure to go on a deep playoff run. That could spell trouble for Vancouver.
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News Summary:
- Who Should the Canucks Want to Face in Round 1? Breaking Down Potential Opponents
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