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Toronto Maple Leafs: Evaluating the Stanley Cup Prospects of the Canadian Teams

By Jeremy Franks

Mar 11, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) battles in front of his team's net against Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Mar 11, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) battles in front of his team's net against Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs. / Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
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The Vancouver Canucks

Only nine teams had longer odds to win the Stanley Cup than the Canucks, according to some preseason predictions.

While they are still not considered strong contenders for a title, the Canucks have increased their chances and garnered some attention with their early season play.

The Canucks are currently ahead of the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights and lead the Pacific Division with a league-leading 49 points. Their .700 points percentage is tied for second.

Center J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, and defenseman Quinn Hughes have led the resurgent Canucks to unexpected heights over the first third of the season.

Canucks Strengths

The Canucks traditional stats are eye-popping. They have a plus-47 goal differential, 15 better than the runner-up Los Angeles Kings. They rank first in goals per game at 3.86, while ranking second in average goals against per game at 2.51.

Their star players compare favorably to most teams around the league.

Right winger Boeser has hovered around the league leaders in goals for most of the season. Hughes, at the ripe age of 24 is a serious Norris trophy candidate. The two of them, along with center Elias Pettersson, are among the NHL's top point-getters.

In goaltender Thatcher Demko they have a legitimate, top-ten starter. Coach Rick Tocchet has reinvigorated the franchise, as much of the Canucks improvement has come from internal development.

Canuck Weaknesses

Some of the Canucks 5 vs 5 advanced analytics are middling. They rank in the bottom half of the league in expected goals percentage, Corsi For percentage and expected goal differential.

Their penalty-killing of 77.8 ranks 23rd. A key special teams goal for or against can make the difference in a closely-contested playoff game.

Overall Canucks Outlook Moving Forward

The Canucks have been a great story so far this season and they do have some players with playoff experience, but a look at the top of their division reveals stiff competition.

The Canucks should cruise to a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but an unlikely upset victory in the first round is the best they can hope for.

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