Vancouver Canucks key statistics

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 31 teams from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Today, three key statistics for the Vancouver Canucks.

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1. Quinn Hughes' power-play points

Hughes scored 25 power-play points (three goals, 22 assists) in 68 games as a rookie last season, tied for third among NHL defensemen with Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets, behind Torey Krug, who scored 28 for the Boston Bruins before signing with the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 9, and John Carlson, who scored 26 for the Washington Capitals. Hughes' nine power-play points (one goal, eight assists) in the postseason were second among defensemen to the 10 scored by Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, impressive considering Hughes played eight fewer games. Hughes averaged 5.80 power-play points per 60 minutes, seventh among NHL defensemen who averaged at least 2:00 per game on the man-advantage, and helped Vancouver finish fourth in the NHL on the power play in the regular season (24.2 percent).

2. Thatcher Demko's save percentage

Demko's .985 save percentage and .990 even-strength save percentage were tops among NHL goalies who started at least three postseason games last season, and his .947 power-play save percentage was fifth among that group. Each number was a significant improvement from the regular season (.905 save percentage, .905 even-strength save percentage, .895 power-play save percentage). Demko started 25 games last season, but that number likely will go up this season after Jacob Markstrom, Vancouver's No. 1 goalie last season, signed a six-year contract with the Calgary Flames on Oct. 9. The Canucks signed goalie Braden Holtby to a two-year contract Oct. 9 to shore up their goaltending, but he had an .897 save percentage in 48 games for the Washington Capitals last season.

3. Shot attempts percentage

The Canucks had a shot attempts percentage of 48.4 percent last season, tied for 23rd in the NHL, and were 22nd of 24 teams that made the Stanley Cup Qualifiers with an SAT percentage of 42.8 percent during the postseason. They had a minus-201 SAT differential during the regular season (3,261-3,060), tied for 22nd in the NHL, and were last during the postseason at minus-216 (858-642). Defenseman Nate Schmidt, acquired in a trade from the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 12, could help improve Vancouver's puck-possession metrics. He had an SAT percentage of 53.1 percent and a plus-129 SAT differential for Vegas last season.