The Canucks and Sabres are the two oldest NHL teams to have never won the Stanley Cup. For Vancouver, that script may change this year.
The Vancouver Canucks have been unstoppable this season, leading the league with 71 points and a 33-11-5 record. The most consistent and balanced team in the NHL is second in goals (186), tied for third in goals allowed (125), and has been dominant on special teams, boasting the second-best power play (25.5%).
The Canucks have been led by their dynamic duo of Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser. Pettersson, the reigning Calder Trophy winner, has taken his game to another level in his sophomore season. Boeser has been equally impressive. The two young stars have formed a lethal chemistry on the top line, along with veteran winger J.T. Miller, who has been a great addition to the team. Vancouver also has received stellar goaltending from Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith, who has stepped up after Jacob Markstrom was traded to the Calgary Flames. The two goalies have formed a reliable tandem and have given the Canucks confidence in the crease.
The Canucks have also benefited from their depth and versatility, as they have been able to overcome injuries and adversity throughout the season. The Canucks have had over ten players score at least ten goals, and nearly twenty players register at least ten points. The Canucks have also shown resilience and character, as they have won 15 games when trailing after the first period and ten games when trailing after the second period, both the most in the league.
The Canucks have been the surprise of the NHL this season, as they have gone from missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year to being the top team in the league. The team has been playing with confidence, passion, and skill, showing they can compete with any team in the league. The Canucks have earned the respect and admiration of their fans, who have been filling the Rogers Arena with loud and enthusiastic support.
The Canucks have put themselves in a position to win the President’s Trophy, which is awarded to the team with the most points in the regular season, and they also have a chance to secure the top seed in the Western Conference.
The Canucks have a lot to be proud of, but they also know that the ultimate goal is to win the elusive Stanley Cup, something that the team has come close to winning twice, losing in the finals in 1982 (to the Islanders) and 2011 (to the Bruins). 2024 may finally be the year. The Canucks have talent, depth, leadership, and determination to go all the way.
The Canucks are not just a good team; they are a great team. The Canuks are not just a great team; they are a championship team.
