The Vancouver Canucks faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in their first match of the season on October 21. This was one of two scheduled encounters between the teams, with their second game set for January 25.
Historical Context
When comparing their all-time record, the Canucks hold a record of 47 wins, 67 losses, 11 ties, and 5 overtime losses against the Penguins. Their road performance has been particularly challenging, with a record of 16-40-7-1. In their last 10 contests, the Canucks have a 4-5-1 record, including two wins and two losses in their last five meetings.
Player Highlights
- Evander Kane stands out as the top active scorer for the Canucks against the Penguins, amassing 30 points (10 goals and 20 assists) over 32 games.
- Brock Boeser has also made his mark, with 16 points (11 goals and 5 assists) in 13 games against Pittsburgh.
- Jake DeBrusk has netted 14 points (7 goals and 7 assists) in 22 encounters with the Penguins.
- Elias Pettersson boasts 13 points (6 goals and 7 assists) in 11 games against this rival.
Goaltending Statistics
In his career against Pittsburgh, Thatcher Demko has a record of 1 win, 3 losses, and 1 overtime loss, posting a 4.21 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage over five games. Conversely, Kevin Lankinen has faced the Penguins twice, holding a record of 1 win and 0 losses, with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage.
Recent Performances
- Conor Garland is currently on a three-game point streak, accumulating five points (1 goal and 4 assists).
- Tyler Myers had his first multi-point game of the season on October 19, contributing 2 points (1 goal and 1 assist).
- Elias Pettersson is also on a five-game point streak against the Penguins, scoring 9 points (4 goals and 5 assists) during this span.
Last Encounter Summary
In their last matchup on November 27, the Penguins narrowly defeated the Canucks 5-4. Blake Lizotte opened the scoring early, followed by a goal from Aat Räty. Despite a strong showing from the Canucks in the latter half of the game, they could not close the gap.
Notable Contributions in the Last Game
- Quinn Hughes recorded three points (1 goal and 2 assists).
- Pius Suter and Elias Pettersson also found the net for Vancouver.
- Artūrs Šilovs made 18 saves in goal.
This matchup between the Canucks and Penguins promises to be an exciting season highlight as both teams aim to improve their standings and capitalize on their star players’ abilities.
