Canucks Set to Face Off Against First-Period Force, Buffalo Sabres
Quinn Hughes is heating up offensively for the Vancouver Canucks. All five of Hughes’s goals this season have come at five-on-five, contributing to his strong production and current standing as second in the NHL for five-on-five goals among defencemen.
Forward progress is equally impressive for Elias Pettersson. The forward has been the top scorer over the Canucks’ last nine games, totaling five goals and seven assists — 12 points — with multi-point performances in five of those games.
Kiefer Sherwood continues to bring a physical presence, leading the NHL in hits at 137. His strong defensive play extends beyond physicality as he boasts an impressive 68.2% control of the goal share at five-on-five, having been on the ice for 17 goals scored and only eight goals against through 247 minutes of play at even strength.
Looking ahead to Friday, the Canucks brace themselves for a strong start against the Buffalo Sabres, a team thriving in early periods. Not only are they fifth in the Atlantic division sporting an 11-10-1 record, but they are ranked ninth in the league for shot attempts with 61.7 attempts per 60 minutes at five-on-five. Defensively, Rasmus Dahlin leads the charge.
The 24-year-old defenceman leads the team with 19 points (6 goals, 13 assists) while Owen Power (3 goals, 12 assists) produces offensively from the blue line.
Tage Thompson leads the Sabres with 11 goals. Ten of those goals have come at even strength. Standing at an imposing 6’6," Thompson boasts an impressive 68.2% control of the goal share at five-on-five, suggesting a reason for the team’s recent takeover of the opening period.
Canucks Must Focus on Getting Ahead Early
This season, the Canucks are undefeated on the road when scoring first, holding a 5-0-0 record. Last season, they were 38-11-4 when lighting up the scoreboard with the first goal. The Canucks recognize that playing with a lead allows for more system control and ultimately benefits their structure. "I like the battle back from us, but we can’t come up with an effort like that to start and expect to win a game,” said Elias Pettersson last week, following the Canucks’ game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, highlighting the simple importance of a strong start. “We’ve got to be better and especially start on time."
Recognizing the Sabres’ penchant for starting strong, the Canucks will need to buckle down and be ready as the puck drops.
The Sabres are unexpectedly strong in the first period. They’ve scored first in 12 of their 22 games this season and have outscored opponents 19-17 during the opening frame.
Canucks Top Performers
- Elias Pettersson: 2g-5a-7p
- Conor Garland: 2g-4a-6p
- Quinn Hughes: 2g-4a-6p
- Kiefer Sherwood: 3g-1a-4p
- Jake DeBrusk: 3g-1a-4p
Join Us for the Game
Catch the Canucks take on the Buffalo Sabres this Friday, puck drop at noon PT. Watch the game live on Sportsnet, or catch the radio call with Brendan Batchelor on Sportsnet 650 and the Sportsnet Radio Network.
What are some of the key strengths of the Canucks this season that could help them against a strong Sabres team?
## Canucks Gearing Up for High-Flying Sabres
Today we’re joined by Alex Reed, hockey analyst, to discuss the upcoming Canucks game against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Welcome to the show!
**Interviewer:** Thanks for joining us! It seems the Canucks are firing on all cylinders right now. Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and even Kiefer Sherwood are putting up impressive numbers. Can you tell us about what’s working for them right now?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. Hughes is having a stellar year offensively, and
his five-on-five goal production is exceptional. Pettersson is
showing his elite playmaking skills, consistently putting up
points night after night. Sherwood is a true force to be
reckoned with, leading the NHL in hits while also
demonstrating strong defensive play.
**Interviewer:**
The Canucks certainly face a tough opponent in the Buffalo Sabres. They’re having a great season so far, and you mentioned
their strong start in games. What should the Canucks be prepared for?
**Alex Reed:** The Sabres are a dangerous team,
especially early on. They’re currently fifth in the Atlantic
Division with a solid 11-10-1 record [[1](https://buffalohockeycentral.com/sabres-vs-canucks-all-time/)]. They are aggressive
and create a lot of scoring chances, ranking ninth in the
league for shot attempts at five-on-five. Defensively,
Rasmus Dahlin leads the charge with 19 points and Owen Power
contributes offensively from the blue line.
**Interviewer:** Do the Canucks have a strategy for
countering the Sabres’ early aggression?
**Alex Reed:
The Canucks need to come out strong and match
the Sabres’ intensity from the opening puck drop. This means
solid defensive coverage, controlling the tempo, and capitalizing
on their scoring opportunities.
**Interviewer:** Great insight. Thanks for sharing your expertise
with us today. We’re in for a great game on
Friday!
