The Stats Behind Game #38: Predators 3, Canucks 0

Welcome to this edition of the Vancouver Canucks post-game analytics report. This recurring deep dive breaks down the analytics behind each Canucks game as recorded by Natural Stat Trick. In this article, we look back on Vancouver's most recent 3-0 loss to the Nashville Predators.

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Despite leading on the shot counter, the Canucks lost the analytics battle. Nashville held a 25-17 even-strength scoring chances advantage, while the even-strength high-danger scoring chances were tied at nine. Vancouver also finished with an xGF% of 38.57%, showing just how deceptive the shot counter was in this game.

As for the heatmap, the Canucks did a decent job in the defensive zone. They only allowed four high-danger shots and kept the center of the zone clear for most of the night. That being said, they also got lucky as the Predators missed the net 17 times, which included a few wide-open nets.

To wrap things up, Vancouver's top defensive pairing was once again the duo of Vincent Desharnais and Derek Forbort. They spent most of the night matched up against Nashville's top lines, with the Canucks holding an 11-1 shots advantage during their 15:49 of even-strength ice time. The duo has now put together a couple of strong games in a row and are showing they can be a decent third pair for this team.