Why the Vancouver Canucks Will Win the Stanley Cup

Vancouver Canucks fans are a hardy bunch, having come achingly close to hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup not once, not twice, but three times during their team’s roller coaster history – losing to the Bruins in 2011 and the Rangers in 1994, with both series going to seven. In 1982, they were swept by the Islanders.

A 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames earlier this week clinched the first Pacific Division title for Vancouver (the 11th time they’ve won their division) and marked the franchise’s third 50-win season in history.

So, the ‘Nucks will face the Predators in the Western Conference first round of the playoffs, with Vancouver getting the coveted home-ice advantage. The Canucks swept the regular-season series, winning all three games against the Predators.

Does this team have the pieces in place to make a real Cup run this season?

Quinn for the Win

Vancouver has had a stronghold on the Pacific Division since December 21st and a major reason for that domination is the steller season that Quinn Hughes has had. His exceptional play on the blue line has not gone unnoticed, positioning him as a frontrunner for the Norris Trophy this year. Hughes led all NHL defensemen with a career-high 91 points (17 goals, 74 assists).

Other players on the roster have also had career-best seasons.  J.T. Miller had an NHL career-high 103 points with 37 goals and 66 assists. Brock Boeser had his best season ever with 73 points from 40 goals and 33 assists.

Elias Pettersson got a hefty contract this year, which was followed by an odd dip in performance, but he still managed 89 points from 34 goals and 55 assists. The return of Elias Lindholm to the lineup after suffering a wrist injury that kept him off the ice since March 23rd will give the club a significant boost in firepower as they prepare for the first round.

This stacked roster has been exceptional when it comes to scoring first in a majority of their games this season, and converting early leads and dictating the tempo of games is an invaluable asset heading into the playoffs.

The Return of Thatcher Demko

Also returning from injury is the Canucks’ go-to goaltender, Thatcher Demko, who has been nothing short of a revelation for this team. Demko was back in the net to face Calgary after missing 14 games with a knee injury and came very close to earning his 6th shutout of the season before letting a single goal in after 33 minutes. During his absence, Vancouver went 7-5-2.

Despite missing those games, his season has earned him consideration for the Vezina Trophy. Demko’s impressive win total and remarkable performances have solidified his status as a key player in Vancouver’s playoff push. In 49 appearances this season, he has a .917 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.47. His 34-13-2 record is one of the best in the NHL and five shutouts have him tied for fourth in the league.

Demko has only played in four NHL playoff games during his career but has 0.64 goals-against average and a .985 save percentage.

The big question coming into the postseason is, can he return to his pre-injury form as he’s thrown back into the mix just a week before the playoffs?

Forever the Underestimated Underdog

Even though they won the extremely difficult Pacific Division, have the league’s best defenceman as well as one of the highest scoring offences, the Vancouver Canucks seem to be chronically dismissed as real contenders. As of this writing they are +1500 to win the Cup.

Overall, the Vancouver Canucks’ performance this season has been marked by their deep bench and their resilience, making them a real contender as they prepare for the playoffs. With key players stepping up, a dominant presence in the Pacific Division, and a potent combination of scoring prowess and goaltending excellence, the Canucks are poised to make a significant impact in their quest for the Stanley Cup.