Game Notes: Canucks at Devils

CANUCKS AT DEVILS

TV: Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet One, MSG Sportsnet

Radio: Sportsnet 650

MATCH-UP INFO

• Tonight marks second and final meeting between the Canucks and Devils this season: Dec. 5 (home, 6-5 L) and Jan. 6 (road).

• Vancouver is 58-42-17-4 all-time against New Jersey, including a 26-27-6-2 record on the road.

• The Canucks are 1-7-2 in their last 10 games against the Devils (1-3-1 in their last 5).

• J.T. Miller leads all active Canucks skaters in scoring against New Jersey with 18 points (5-13-18) in 29 career games.

• Elias Pettersson has 5 points (1-4-5) in 8 career games against the Devils.

• Brock Boeser has 6 points (2-4-6) in 10 career games against New Jersey.

• In 7 career games against the Devils, Quinn Hughes has registered 5 points (0-5-5).

• Thatcher Demko is 1-3-0 with a 3.34 GAA and a .897 save percentage in 6 career games against New Jersey.

• In eight career appearances (3-3-0), Casey DeSmith has a 2.69 GAA and a .922 save percentage all-time against the Devils.

QUICK NUMBERS 

• Quinn Hughes has registered 13 points (2-11-13) in his last 15 games, totaling 46 points overall (10-36-46). He ranks 1st in the league for points amongst defencemen and ranks 5th in the league for assists amongst all skaters.

• J.T. Miller has 50 points overall this season (16-34-50) and has 15 points (3-12-15) in his last 15 games. He ranks 7th in the league for points.

• Brock Boeser has scored 24 goals this season, ranking t-4th in the league.

• Dakota Joshua has nine points (5-4-9) in his last nine games.

• Pius Suter has six points (4-2-6) in his last six games.

• Thatcher Demko is 4th in the league for wins (18).

• The Vancouver Canucks currently rank 5th in the league and have the highest goal differential (+46) in the league. The Canucks currently have the most wins (21) when leading after two periods and have the most wins when scoring first (19).

LAST MEETING – Dec. 5/23: VAN 5 vs NJD 6

J.T. Miller tied the game at 8:24 of the first period on the power play, recording his 14th goal of the season...Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson picked up assists on the play...Dakota Joshua tucked home a rebound with 20 seconds remaining in the first period for his fourth goal of the year to cut the lead in half...Conor Garland and Teddy Blueger tallied helpers on the goal...Boeser scored his league- leading 18th goal of the season at 7:02 of the third period...the lone assist went to Miller...Sam Lafferty tipped home a point shot for his seventh of the season at 13:58 of the third period...Hughes and Pettersson picked up helpers on the play...Nils Höglander potted his eighth goal of the year to tie the game at 16:34 of the third period...Both Miller and Hughes pick up their second assist each of the game...Boeser (1-1-2), Miller (1-2-2), Pettersson (0-2-2) and Hughes (0-2-2) each had multi-point games...Höglander, Miller, Pettersson and Hughes co-led the team in shots (4)...Thatcher Demko made 26 saves.

2023.24 TEAM RANKS

LAST GAME PLAYED – Jan. 4/24: VAN 1 at STL 2

Conor Garland opened the scoring just 1:57 into the first period...Teddy Blueger and Dakota Joshua registered the assists...Pius Suter and Nikita Zadorov co-led the team in shots with five...Joshua led the team with four hits...Noah Juulsen and Ian Cole both had three blocked shots...J.T. Miller won a team-high six faceoffs...Thatcher Demko made 30 saves.

LAST 5 - vs NEW JERSEY

• Dec. 5/23: VAN 5 vs NJD 6

• Feb. 6/23: VAN 4 at NJD 5 (OT)

• Nov. 1/22: VAN 2 vs NJD 5

• Mar. 15/22: VAN 6 vs NJD 3

• Feb. 28/22: VAN 2 @ NJD 7

STRONG SCORING STARTS

• As of Jan.4/24, the Canucks are outscoring their opponents 25-13 within the game’s first 10 minutes, their +12 goal differential leads the NHL.

• The Canucks have scored the first goal of the game 25 times, tops in the league.

• When scoring the first goal, the Canucks have been victorious 19 times, leading the NHL.

SETTING RECORDS

• On Jan. 2/24 vs OTT, the Canucks scored five goals in the opening period for the 12th time in franchise history and the fourth time since the turn of the century.

• Leading the NHL standings with 49 points on Dec. 25/23, the Canucks became the first Canadian team to lead the league at the time of the Holiday Break since the Ottawa Senators in 2005.

• With a record of 23-9-3 through Dec. 23, the Canucks have recorded the most wins in franchise history through the team’s first 35 games of a season.

• After their win on Dec. 14/23 vs FLA, the Vancouver Canucks (30 GP) set a franchise record for fewest games needed to reach 20 wins in a season. The previous record was set in 2005.06 in 31 games.

PIUS ON THE LOOSE

• After a 3-point performance (2-1-3) on Jan. 2/24 vs OTT, Pius Suter has recorded 7 points (4-3-7) in his last 7 games. His three points also tied his career-high, previously hit on Jan. 24/21 vs DET (3-0-3).

• The Canucks have outscored their opponents 14-2 at 5-on-5 when Pius Suter is on the ice.

DIALED-IN DEMKO

• Following a 35-save performance on Jan. 2/24 vs OTT, Thatcher Demko is now t-5th in Canucks franchise history for career wins by a goaltender, behind Roberto Luongo, Kirk McLean, Richard Brodeur and Dan Cloutier.

• On Dec. 18/23, Demko was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week. He went 3-0-0 with a 1.33 goals against average, a .957 save percentage and one shutout.

• Demko stopped 36 shots for his third shutout of the season and sixth of his career on Dec. 14/23 vs FLA. Demko is currently t- 7th for most shutouts in Canucks franchise history with Richard Brodeur, Garth Snow and Eddie Lack.

• Demko became the first goaltender to record 15 wins in the NHL this season. Demko (22 GP) is the third goaltender in Canucks franchise history to complete this feat in 22 or fewer games. Ryan Miller (18 GP, 2014.15) and Cory Schneider (22 GP, 2010.11) are the only other goalies in franchise history to complete this feat.

MILLER THE MAGNIFICENT

• With 2 points (1-1-2) on Jan. 2/24 vs OTT J.T. Miller reached 50 points in 37 games. He is the 4th fastest player in franchise history to hit the mark, behind Pavel Bure, Alexander Mogilny, and Daniel Sedin.

• After recording two assists on Dec. 17/23 at CHI, Miller (11 GP) owns the record for most multi-assist efforts in the first 32 games of a season in franchise history. He passed Henrik Sedin who had 10 games in the first 32 games of the 2009.10 season.

• After registering two assists on Dec. 12/23 vs TBL, J.T. Miller (42 points 15-27-42) owns the Canucks franchise record for most points prior to the 30th game of the season. Tony Tanti held the previous record with 41 points in 1983.84.

• J.T. Miller matched the Canucks franchise record for fewest number of games needed to record 40 points (15-25-40, 28 GP), after scoring a goal on Dec. 9/23 vs CAR, joining Tony Tanti in 1983.84. Miller and Tanti are the only players in Canucks history to post 40 points in less than 30 games.

THE BOES-T IN TOWN

• After recording an assist on Jan. 2/24 vs OTT, Brock Boeser has 15 points (9-6-15) in his last 15 games. He currently is t-4th for goals scored in the NHL with 24.

• With his 23rd goal of the season on Dec. 17/23 at CHI, Boeser became the fourth Canuck to record 23+ goals through 32 games, joining Pavel Bure (26, 1992.93), Tony Tanti (25, 1983.84), and Alexander Mogilny (23, 1995.96).

• Boeser recorded a nine-game point streak lasting from Nov. 25/23 to Dec. 14/23. This point streak matched the longest of his career, he also recorded his second natural hat trick of the season during this stretch.

• Through Dec. 14 (30 games), Brock Boeser has doubled his power play points (6 to 12), tripled his shooting percentage (9.4% to 27.5%) and nearly quadrupled his goal total (6 to 22) from 2022.23 to 2023.24 and is on-pace for a career-high 98 points.

• With his hat-trick performance against Tampa Bay, Dec. 12/23, Brock Boeser is t-3rd in the league with Brady Tkachuk for most multi-goal games in the 2023.24 season with 6. He is currently chasing Auston Matthews (10) and Nikita Kucherov (8).

• Brock Boeser (29 GP) became the 6th fastest player in franchise history to reach 20 goals in a season. Pavel Bure paces the list (19 GP, 1992.92). Boeser is also the 6th player to complete this feat in under 30 games.

TIK TOC

• With his victory on Jan. 2/24 vs OTT, Rick Tocchet recorded his 222nd career coaching victory, ranking him t-75th on the all-time coaching wins list.

• Recording his 40th win as Canucks coach on Dec. 14 vs FLA, Rick Tocchet passed Tom Renney for 14th on the Canucks all-time coaching wins list.

• On Dec. 5/23 vs NJD, Rick Tocchet coached his 500th game. He became the 7th person in NHL history to play in 1000 career NHL games and serve as the head coach in 500 career NHL games.

VENI, VIDI, PETEY

• With two goals on Jan. 2/24 vs OTT, Elias Pettersson is now 3rd in Canucks franchise history for most career multi-goal performances recorded by a primary centre. He is currently t-11th in the league for NHL points leaders.

• With 24 multi-goal performances as a Canuck, Pettersson is now t-4th in franchise history for career multi-goal games in a players first six seasons, trailing Pavel Bure (44), Tony Tanti (27), and Petri Skriko (27).

• Pettersson has recorded 21 games with at least 1 goal and 2 assists after his three-point game on Dec. 9/23 vs CAR. He ranks t-4th for most such games in Canucks franchise history.

• After recording the GWG on Dec. 9/23 vs CAR, Elias Pettersson recorded the 26th GWG of his career. He tied Thomas Gradin for the 9th most in franchise history.

• By recording 3 points (1-2-3) on Dec. 9/23 vs CAR, Pettersson (29 games) ranks fourth for most 3+ point performances by a Canucks player in their first 6 seasons. Pavel Bure (37), Thomas Gradin (35) and Patrick Sundstrom (30) all pace the list.

THE LIFE LINE

• The Canucks third line (Dakota Joshua – Teddy Blueger – Conor Garland) have contributed 33 points (12-21-33) in their last 13 games. In those past 13 games, Conor Garland (2-8-10) has 10 points, Dakota Joshua has 11 points (6-5-11) and Teddy Blueger (4-8-12) has 12 points.

QUINNSANITY

• With a goal and an assist on Dec. 23/23 vs SJS, Quinn Hughes tied Alexander Edler for the most career multi-point games by a Canucks defencemen all-time with 68 GP.

• Quinn Hughes is the first defenseman in Canucks franchise history to reach 40 points in less than 40 games. He is also the 5th defenseman in the NHL with 40+ points in his first 33 games of a season in the past 25 years.

• After recording two assists on Dec. 19/23 at NSH, Quinn Hughes ranks 1st for most multi-assist games by a Canucks defencemen (54 GP), he also ranks 8th amongst all skaters in franchise history. With this feat he also ranks 2nd in Canucks franchise history for most multi-point games by a defenceman.

• Hughes (17 GP) ranks t-4th for most 3+ assist games for a defencemen in their first six seasons in NHL history, Bobby Orr paces the list (31 GP).

TRIPLE THREAT

• J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson are the third teammate trio since 1997 to each record 40 points in their team’s first 33 games of a season. The other trios include Mikko Rantanen, Nathan Mackinnon, and Gabriel Landeskog in 2018.19 and Daniel Alfredsson, Daniel Heatley, and Jason Spezza in 2005.06 and 2007.08.

• Miller, Hughes and Pettersson are also the second teammate trio in Canucks franchise history to each record 40 points in their first 33 games of a season. Tony Tanti, Patrik Sundstrom and Darcy Rota are the only other Canucks trio to complete this feat.

MOVING UP THE LIDST

• After recording three assists in a 4-1 win on Dec. 12/23 vs TBL, Quinn Hughes (245 assists in 312 GP) became third all- time in assists amongst defencemen in Canucks franchise history, passing Doug Lidster. Hughes completed this feat in 354 less games than Lidster (242 assists in 666 GP).

2023.24 CANUCKS MILESTONES

• Nikita Zadorov appeared in his 600th NHL game, Dec. 28 vs PHI

• Rick Tocchet coached his 500th career NHL game, Dec. 5 vs NJD

• Teddy Blueger recorded his 100th career point, Nov. 24 at SEA

• Conor Garland recorded his 200th career point, Nov. 24 at SEA

• Andrei Kuzmenko appeared in his 100th NHL game, Nov. 22 at COL

• Quinn Hughes appeared in his 300th NHL game, Nov. 16 at CGY

• Linus Karlsson appeared in his first NHL game, Nov. 16 at CGY

• Ilya Mikheyev appeared in his 200th NHL game, Nov. 6 vs EDM

• Elias Pettersson recorded his 200th career assist, Nov. 2 at SJS

• Anthony Beauvillier appeared in his 500th NHL game, Nov. 2 at SJS

• Brock Boeser appeared in his 400th NHL game, Oct. 14 at EDM

• Rick Tocchet recorded his 200th career win, Oct. 14 at EDM

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

• Josh Bloom reassigned to Saginaw, Jan. 5

• Linus Karlsson recalled from Abbotsford, Jan. 3

• Nick Cicek and a sixth-round pick (2024) acquired from San Jose in exchange for Jack Studnicka, Dec. 15.

• Pius Suter activated off IR, Dec 14

• Linus Karlsson reassigned to Abbotsford, Dec 9

• Matt Irwin reassigned to Abbotsford, Dec. 2

• Nikita Zadorov acquired from Calgary in exchange for a fifth-round pick (2024) and a third-round pick (2026), Nov. 30

• Cole McWard reassigned to Abbotsford, Nov. 29

• Linus Karlsson recalled from Abbotsford, Nov. 29

• Matt Irwin recalled from Abbotsford, Nov. 29

• Akito Hirose reassigned to Abbotsford, Nov. 29

• Conditional fifth-round pick (2024) acquired from Chicago in exchange for Anthony Beauvillier, Nov. 28

THE LAST TIME...

• The Canucks won when leading after 1P: Jan. 2/24 vs OTT

• The Canucks lost when leading after 1P: Jan. 4/24 at STL

• The Canucks lost in OT/SO when leading after 1P: Mar. 31/23 vs CGY

• The Canucks won when leading after 2P: Jan. 2/24 vs OTT

• The Canucks lost when leading after 2P: Oct. 17/22 at WSH

• The Canucks lost in OT/SO when leading after 2P: Mar. 31/23 vs CGY

• The Canucks won when trailing after 1P: Nov. 15/23 vs NYI

• The Canucks lost when trailing after 1P: Dec. 5/23 vs NJD

• The Canucks lost in OT/SO when trailing after 1P: Dec. 16/23 at MIN

• The Canucks won when trailing after 2P: Nov. 15/23 vs NYI

• The Canucks lost when trailing after 2P: Dec. 28/23 vs PHI

• The Canucks lost in OT/SO when trailing after 2P: Mar. 28/23 at STL

• The Canucks won when tied after 1P: Dec. 28/23 vs PHI

• The Canucks lost when tied after 1P: Nov. 25/23 at SJS

• The Canucks lost in OT/SO when tied after 1P: Dec. 21/23 at DAL

• The Canucks won when tied after 2P: Nov. 28/23 vs ANA

• The Canucks lost when tied after 2P: Jan. 4/24 at STL

• The Canucks lost in OT/SO when tied after 2P: Dec. 21/23 at DAL

2023.24 SEASON HIGHS AND LOWS

• Most Goals Scored, Game: 10, Nov. 2/23 at SJS

• Most Goals Scored, Period: 5, Jan. 2/24 vs. OTT, 1st period

• Most Goals Allowed, Game: 6, Dec. 5/23 vs NJD

• Most Goals Allowed, Period: 4, Dec. 5/23 vs NJD, 1st period

• Fewest Goals Scored, Game: 0, Oct. 17 at PHI

• Fewest Goals Allowed, Game: 0, 4x, Latest Dec. 14/23 vs FLA

• Most PPG Scored, Game: 4, Nov. 2/23 at SJS

• Most PPG Allowed, Game: 3, Oct. 28/23 vs NYR

• Most SHG Scored, Game: 1, 4x, Latest Nov. 24/23 at SEA

• Most SHG Allowed, Game: 1, Dec. 28 vs PHI

• Most Shots, Game: 43, Nov. 15/23 vs NYI

• Most Shots, Period: 19, Oct. 27/23 vs STL, 1st period

• Fewest Shots, Game: 16, 2x, Latest Nov. 9/23 at OTT

• Fewest Shots, Period: 1, Dec. 14/23 vs FLA, 3rd period

• Most Shots Allowed, Game: 44, Nov. 30/23 vs VGK

• Most Shots Allowed, Period: 22, Oct. 17/23 at PHI, 2nd period

• Fewest Shots Allowed, Game: 18, Oct. 24/23 at NSH

• Fewest Shots Allowed, Period: 2, Nov. 24/23 at SEA, 3rd period

• Most Hits, Game: 33, 2x, Latest Dec. 5/23 vs NJD

• Fewest Hits, Game: 7, Nov. 2/23 at SJS

• Most Blocked Shots, Game: 25, Oct. 14/23 at EDM

• Fewest Blocked Shots, Game: 2, Oct. 27/23 vs STL

• Largest Margin of Victory: 9 goals, Nov. 2/23 at SJS (10-1 W)

• Largest Margin of Defeat: 3 goals, 5x, Latest Dec. 28/23 vs PHI

• Longest Win Streak: 5 games, Oct. 31/23 – Nov. 9/23

• Longest Point Streak: 9 games, 2x, Latest Dec. 7/23 – Dec. 23/23

• Longest Winless Streak: 2 games, 2x, Latest Nov. 16/23 - Nov. 18/23

• Longest Pointless Streak: 2 games, 2x, Latest Nov. 16/23 - Nov. 18/23

VANCOUVER 2023.24 RECORD WHEN...

• Score 4+ Goals: 19-1-0

• Score 3 Goals or Less: 5-10-3

• Allow 4+ Goals: 1-9-2

• Allow 3 Goals or Less: 23-2-1

• Scoring First: 19-5-1

• Allowing First Goal: 5-6-2

• On 0 Days Rest: 2-2-1

• On 1 Day Rest: 12-6-2

• On 2 Days Rest: 8-2-0

• On 3+ Days Rest: 2-1-0

• Score a PPG: 14-4-1

• Give up a PPG: 11-6-1

• 25 or More Shots on Goal: 16-8-2

• Less than 25 shots: 8-3-1

THREE STARS - JANUARY

• Pettersson – 5 pts

• Suter – 5 pts

• Demko – 5 pts

DECEMBER WINNER – DeSmith (15 pts)
NOVEMBER WINNER – Hughes, Demko (30 pts)
OCTOBER WINNER – Pettersson (15 pts)
*5 points are awarded for each Three Stars selection