Canucks Top Forwards Struggling To Generate Offence Over The Past Five Games

The Vancouver Canucks offence is struggling. In five games from December 12-19, the team has 11 goals or 2.2 per game and has only scored more than once on two occasions. While scoring issues are an entire team problem, the spotlight remains focused on the Canucks top forwards, who have just two goals over the last five games.

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While Vancouver has found a way to win games, they are getting little to no production from their top four forwards. For reference, these forwards are J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk. Below is a look at the five forwards and their production over the last five games.

One of the reasons these four players haven't been able to generate any form of offence is that they aren't shooting the puck. Over the five games, Miller, Pettersson, Boeser and DeBrusk have combined for 23 shots, or 4.6 per game. While all four can change the game with one shot, the lack of shot production is a good explanation as to why they have combined for five points over the past five games.

As for the even-strength analytics, the numbers are staggering. Not only are these four forwards struggling to create offensively while on the ice, but they are having issues preventing shots. Here is a look at Miller, Pettersson, Boeser, and DeBrusk's on-ice per-60 rates and how they compare to the other 12 forwards who have played at least four of the last five games.

The good news for the Canucks is that they have found a way to collect points over the last five games, compiling a record of 2-2-1. This is in large part thanks to the play of Kifer Sherwood, Danton Heinen and Teddy Blueger, who each have four points over the last five games. While having depth scoring is always a positive, players in the bottom six should not be outplaying those in the top six on a nightly basis.

While players are going to go through slumps throughout the season, Vancouver can not afford to have their top four forwards underperforming for much longer. The month of January is filled with Stanley Cup contenders, who, no matter how good Thatcher Demko or Kevin Lankinen are, will be able to take advantage of the Canucks if Miller, Pettersson, Boeser and DeBrusk are struggling. With two more games before the holiday break, Vancouver's top four forwards need to get back on track; otherwise, the Canucks could slowly start to slip out of a playoff spot.