_WEBSITE_2568x1444 -  JAN 13 @ BUF

CANUCKS AT SABRES

TV: Sportsnet, MSG-B Network

Radio: Sportsnet 650

MATCH-UP INFO

  • Tonight marks the first of two meetings between the Canucks and Sabres this season: Jan. 13 (road) and Mar. 19 (home)
  • Vancouver is 56-49-19-4 all-time against Buffalo, including a 23-30-8-3 record on the road.
  • The Canucks are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games against the Sabres (2-2-1 in their last 5).
  • J.T. Miller leads all active Canucks skaters in scoring against Buffalo with 21 points (9-12-21) in 26 career games.
  • Thatcher Demko is 2-2-1 with a 3.76 GAA and a .884 save percentage in five career games against Buffalo in his career.
  • In eight career games (4-2-2), Casey DeSmith has a 1.99 GAA and a .938 save percentage all-time against Buffalo.

QUICK NUMBERS

  • Elias Pettersson has 23 points (12-11-23) in his last 15 games. He is currently on a four-game point streak (7-5-12) and has had a four-point game in two of his last three games. His 12 points in four games is t-3rd in Canucks franchise history for most points in a four-game span.
  • Quinn Hughes has registered 12 points (2-10-12) in his last 10 games, totaling 51 points overall (11-40-51). He ranks 1st in the league for points amongst defencemen and ranks t-3rd in the league for assists amongst all skaters.
  • J.T. Miller has 58 points overall this season (19-39-58) and has 19 points (5-14-19) in his last 15 games. He is currently on a four-game point streak (3-5-8)
  • Brock Boeser has scored 27 goals this season, ranking 4th in the league. He has three multi-point games in his past four games.
  • Filip Hronek is currently on a four-game point streak (1-6-7).
  • Quinn Hughes (+32) and Filip Hronek (+32) both lead the league in +/-.
  • The Vancouver Canucks currently rank 2nd in the league and have the highest goal differential (+55) in the league. The Canucks currently have the most wins (25) when leading after two periods, have opened the scoring 28 times this season (first in the league) and have the most wins when scoring first (22).

LAST MEETING – NOV. 15/22: VAN 5 at BUF 4

Dakota Joshua scored his third goal of the season at 8:01 in the first...William Lockwood tallied his first point as a Canuck on the assist along with Nils Åman...Ethan Bear doubled the lead at 9:18 with his first goal as a Canuck...Bo Horvat and Conor Garland registered assists...Elias Pettersson would make it 3-1 at 0:31 seconds into the second...Oliver Ekman-Larsson was credited with the solo assist...J.T. Miller notched his 10th goal of the season with an assist from Horvat at 7:13 on the power play...Horvat would get the power play, game-winning goal at 8:25 in the second...Brock Boeser and Pettersson got assists on the play...Horvat led the team in shots (8), tying the season high, and won 17/26 faceoffs (65%)...Luke Schenn led in hits (3)...Spencer Martin collected his first win against the Sabres and stopped 28 shots.

2023.24 TEAM RANKS

VAN
BUF
Goals For/Game
3.90 (1st)
3.02 (21st)
Goals Against/Game
2.60 (4th)
3.36 (23rd)
Power Play %
23.5 (10th)
14.2 (27th)
Penalty Kill %
78.2 (21st)
78.5 (19th)
Penalty Min./Game
8:41 (11th)
9:41 (18th)

*Rankings are accurate as of 11:30a.m. PT on January 12, 2024

LAST GAME PLAYED – Jan. 11/24: VAN 4 at PIT 3 (OT)

Brock Boeser opened the scoring for the Canucks at 5:44 in the first period...Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller assisted the goal...47 seconds later Boeser scored his second goal on the power play...Miller and Pettersson recorded assists on the play...Elias Pettersson posted a goal at 17:31 in the first period, Filip Hronek and Miller registered the assists...Pettersson scored the GWG and his second goal of the game at 3:05 in overtime...Hronek recorded the only helper...Pettersson (7-5-12), Miller (3-5-8), and Hronek (1-6-7) extended their point streaks to four-games...Pettersson led the team in shots (5)...Tyler Myers led the team in hits (3)...All Canucks that got on the scoresheet recorded multi-point games, Pettersson (2-2-4), Miller (0-3-3), Boeser (2-0-2) and Hronek (0-2-2)...Thatcher Demko made 32 saves.

LAST 5 - vs BUFFALO

  • Nov. 15/22: VAN 5 at BUF 4
  • Oct. 22/22: VAN 1 vs BUF 5
  • Mar. 20/22: VAN 2 vs BUF 3 (OT)
  • Oct. 19/21: VAN 2 at BUF 5
  • Jan. 11/20: VAN 6 at BUF 3

VENI, VIDI, PETEY

  • After scoring the GWG on Jan. 11/24 at PIT, Elias Pettersson became the first player in NHL history to record the GWG in four straight road games. He also became the third player to record four GWGs in four straight contests. The only other players to do so are Newsy Lalonde (5 straight, 1920.21) and Daniel Alfredsson (4 straight, 2006.07)
  • Pettersson currently ranks t-3rd for most career 4+ point performances by a Canucks player in franchise history and became the sixth player in franchise history with 10 games with 4+ points. Trevor Linden (11) and Pavel Bure (11) pace the list.
  • Elias Pettersson is now t-6th for career game-winning goals by a player in Canucks franchise history with 32. He is currently tied with Brendan Morrison.
  • With four points (2-2-4) Jan. 11/24 at PIT, Elias Pettersson holds the record for the most career games with 2+ goals and 2+ assists in franchise history (5).
  • By assisting on two goals on Jan. 11/24 at PIT, Pettersson (49 GP) ranks t-10th for most multi-assist games in franchise history. He is currently tied with Todd Bertuzzi.
  • Elias Pettersson is the first Canuck since Mikael Samuelsson in 2009.10 to have seven goals in over the span of four games.
  • With 27 multi-goal performances as a Canuck, Pettersson is now t-2nd in franchise history for career multi-goal games in a players first six seasons, trailing only Pavel Bure (44). He is tied with Tony Tanti (27), and Petri Skriko (27).
  • 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.

KNOW YOUR LIMIT PLAY WITHIN IT

  • The Lotto Line (Brock Boeser – Elias Petersson – J.T. Miller) have contributed 27 points in their last four games. Within this span, Elias Pettersson has 12 points (7-5-12), J.T. Miller has 8 points (3-5-8) and Brock Boeser has 7 points (3-4-7).

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

  • After both recording two goals in a 4-3 win on Jan. 11/24 at PIT, Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser have each scored a goal in the same game 33 times. The Canucks have a record of 31-1-1 in such games.

DEFEATING THE BEASTS OF THE EAST

  • After defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in OT on Jan. 11/24, the Canucks are 7-1-0 in their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.

ROAD DOGS

  • After winning on Jan. 9/24 at NYI, the Canucks swept the New York metropolitan-area teams on the road without taking a loss for the first time in franchise history. They also extend their win-streak in the area to 4 games (6-5 win, Feb. 9/23 at NYI included).
  • Elias Pettersson (13-19-32) currently ranks 2nd in the league for most points by a player on the road. Nikita Kucherov (11-26- 37) paces the list.

QUINNSANITY

  • With a goal and a +2 rating on Jan. 9/24 at NYI, Quinn Hughes is one of four defencemen in NHL history to attain 50+ points and a +30 or higher rating through their first 41 games of a season. He joins Paul Coffey, Denis Potvin and Bobby Orr.
  • Recording 40th assist of the season on Jan. 8 at NYR, Quinn Hughes became the fifth defenceman in NHL history to record 10+ goals and 40+ assists through their team’s first 40 games of a season.
  • Picking up an assist on Jan. 8 at NYR, Quinn Hughes became the ninth defenceman in NHL history to post 50+ points through their first 40 games of a season.
  • With three assists on Jan. 6 at NJD, Quinn Hughes now has 18 such performances in his career, ranking fourth all-time among defencemen within their first six seasons.
  • 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.

HRONEK’S ON A HEATER

  • With a goal on Jan. 9/24, Filip Hronek has been on the ice for an NHL-leading 61 5-on-5 goals for the Canucks. The next closest non-teammate has been on the ice for 45 goals for at 5-on-5 (Zach Hyman, Nathan MacKinnon, Marcus Pettersson, Noah Dobson all tied).
  • Recording 2 assists in a win on Jan. 8/24 at NYR, Hronek ranks 5th in Canucks’ franchise history for fewest games to record 30 assists since being acquired by the team via trade at 44. The list is led by Paul Reinhart (33), Mike Walton (40), Russ Courtnall (42) and Cliff Ronning (43).

THE LIFE LINE

  • The Canucks third line (Dakota Joshua – Teddy Blueger – Conor Garland) have contributed 42 points (15-27-42) in their last 20 games. In those past 20 games, Conor Garland (3-10-13) has 13 points, Dakota Joshua has 14 points (8-6-14) and Teddy Blueger (4-11-15) has 15 points.

THE BOES-T IN TOWN

  • 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 Sam Reinhart for most multi-goal games in the 2023.24 season with 7. He is currently chasing Auston Matthews (11) 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.

MILLER THE MAGNIFICENT

  • By recording a three-point period on Jan. 11/24 at PIT, this marks the seventh time J.T. Miller has completed this feat and is currently tied with Markus Naslund for the third most such performances in franchise history. Trevor Linden and Pavel Bure (both with 8) are tied for the most.
  • With an assist on Jan. 9/24 at NYI, J.T. Miller leads the league in primary assists with 28.
  • Recording three points (2-1-3) on Jan. 6 at NJD, J.T. Miller has 53 points through 39 games. His 53 points are the third-most prior to the team’s 40th game of the season in franchise history, trailing Pavel Bure (58 in 1992.93) and Alexander Mogilny (54, 1995.96).
  • 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, 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.

TRIPLE THREAT

  • With Elias Pettersson (52) and Quinn Hughes (50) joining J.T. Miller (54) at the 50-point mark on Jan. 8 at NYR, they became the third trio of teammates in the past 30 years to feature three different 50-point scorers through 40 games in a season (2007.08 Ottawa Senators, 1995.96 Pittsburgh Penguins).
  • 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 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.

SETTING RECORDS

  • Since Dec. 7/23, the Canucks have the second-best record in the league at 12-2-2, only trailing behind the league-leading Winnipeg Jets (14-1-2).
  • 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 then 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.

DIALED-IN DEMKO

  • Following a 21-save performance on Jan. 6/24 at NJD, Thatcher Demko is now 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 had a record of 3-0-0 with a 1.33 goals against average, a .957 save percentage and one shutout during the week.
  • 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.

2023.24 CANUCKS MILESTONES

  • Thatcher Demko recorded his 100th career win, Jan. 6 vs NJD
  • 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

  • Carson Soucy activated off LTIR, Jan. 6
  • Phillip Di Giuseppe placed on LTIR, Jan. 6
  • 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. 11/24 at PIT
  • 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. 11/24 at PIT
  • 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: Jan. 6/24 at NJD
  • The Canucks lost when tied after 1P: Dec. 28/23 vs PHI
  • 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: 23-1-0
  • Score 3 Goals or Less: 5-10-3
  • Allow 4+ Goals: 2-9-2
  • Allow 3 Goals or Less: 26-2-1
  • Scoring First: 22-5-1
  • Allowing First Goal: 6-6-2
  • On 0 Days Rest: 3-2-1
  • On 1 Day Rest: 15-6-2
  • On 2 Days Rest: 8-2-0
  • On 3+ Days Rest: 2-1-0
  • Score a PPG: 15-4-1
  • Give up a PPG: 13-6-1
  • 25 or More Shots on Goal: 20-8-2
  • Less than 25 shots: 8-3-1

THREE STARS - JANUARY

  • Pettersson – 25 pts
  • Boeser – 5 pts
  • Miller – 5 pts
  • Höglander – 5 pts
  • Suter – 5 pts
  • Demko – 5 pts
  • Hronek – 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