Every year in the National Hockey League, there are usually several surprises, both positive and negative.
This season, in the negative category, we obviously include the rather disappointing performance of the Edmonton Oilers.
It’s a shame to see a Canadian team underperform like this, especially given that it boasts the best player in the world.
But at least Canadian fans can take solace in the fact that the Vancouver Canucks are a pleasant surprise this season.
The Canucks are simply dominant and impressive this season.
So much so, in fact, that they are currently in first place in the entire National Hockey League at the Christmas break.
Merry Christmas #Canucks fans. Your team heads into the holiday break in first place in the @NHL standings pic.twitter.com/XTLU2AukS8
– Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) December 24, 2023
Who’d have thought it?
The Canucks are not only pulling off a major surprise, they’re also pulling off a major feat.
They are the first Canadian team since the Ottawa Senators in 2005 to sit atop the NHL standings at the Christmas break.
#Canucks are the first Canadian franchise to sit atop the NHL’s overall standings at Christmas since the Senators in 2005 pic.twitter.com/kf6Yzbe7Ys
– Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) December 24, 2023
Their 23-9-3 record in 35 games for a total of 49 points puts them just ahead of the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights, who are on 37 points.
Only the Rangers have a better points percentage, given that they have a three-game lead over the Canucks.
And if we look at the other statistics, the one that jumps out and impresses even more is the +46 differential.
To give you an idea, the second-best differential in the NHL is +34 and belongs to the Los Angeles Kings.
Don’t even get me started on the Montreal Canadiens, who are at -17.
In short, the Canucks’ season is truly amazing, and not just in team terms.
Individually too, the Canucks are dominating.
Three Vancouver players – J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson are in the top-10 NHL scorers.
And that’s not counting Brock Boeser, who is also having quite a season, as he finds himself second in NHL scoring with 24 goals, only behind Auston Matthews(who is scoring at a hellish pace).
NHL Goal Leaders at Christmas:
28 – Auston Matthews
24 – Brock Boeser
23 – Nikita Kucherov
20 – David Pastrnak
19 – Zach Hyman
19 – Sidney Crosby
19 – Sam Reinhart
18 – Artemi Panarin
18 – Nathan Mackinnon
17 – Mikko Rantanen
17 – Kyle Connor
17 – Jonathan Marchessault
17 -… pic.twitter.com/OHd3lHF3ni
– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) December 24, 2023
In short, the Canucks are having an incredible season, no matter how you slice it.
Their best players are performing extremely well, their depth players are doing an exceptional job, and their goalie, Thatcher Demko is among the best goalies in the NHL this year.
Let’s see if the Canucks’ fairy tale continues after the Christmas break, and if they can be a powerhouse for the rest of the season and into the playoffs.
In a gust
– Matvei Michkov, offensive talent and a healthy team. Oh shit, we had to name just one gift.
Hockey fans, what’s one gift you’re hoping your favourite team gets this holiday season?
– BarDown (@BarDown) December 24, 2023
– Indeed, very nice photo.
Superb photo https://t.co/k7slnTd663
– Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) December 24, 2023
– Read more.
Sorting out a crowded Hart Trophy field and more award picks at the holiday break. My latest for@TheAthletic 
– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 24, 2023
– A tough defeat for Erik Johnson and the Buffalo Sabres.
Erik Johnson was still upset when I spoke to him after the OT loss.
According to Johnson, the ref told the Sabres’ bench that he was given the instigator penalty because they were complaining too much in the first period.
“It was bullshit.“https://t.co/YwR0BgBaiK
– Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) December 24, 2023
– Auston Matthews disguised as a gift.
Ugly sweaters and acting debuts – @AM34 and @vancityreynolds teamed up for yet another year supporting @SickKidsNews as the @MapleLeafs forward continued his long tradition with the hospital: https://t.co/qQ9WXOh2fR pic.twitter.com/CcRX1eorF5
– NHLPA (@NHLPA) December 24, 2023
– Canadian soccer in 2023.
Changes and disappointments in 2023https://t.co/gfaZ3x2axa
– RDS (@RDSca) December 24, 2023
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