The Canucks have teased and tortured their fans in a season of adversity and inconsistency, but a path to the playoffs remains. Will Norris Trophy contender, Hart Trophy consideration Quinn Hughes get them there?
One game doesn’t amount to much in the ebb and flow of an NHL regular-season grind.
And one player isn’t supposed to make that much of a difference.
A startling lack of presence and shots by the Canucks in that listless season low 14-shot effort for a disturbing 2-0 loss Friday at Carolina — or an encouraging, all-in 3-0 victory the next night in Toronto — is usually kept in perspective.
And he has never had a second thought, or second-guessed, how Hughes is riding that roller-coaster because he’s the barometer.
In the scientific world, a barometer measures atmospheric pressure to forecast the weather and determine altitude. In the NHL world, it’s a metaphor to reflect changes in circumstance or opinions and how they are overcome.
Hughes is the measure of calm and the champion of optimism and he regularly backs it up with eye-popping performances as a generational talent that drew comparisons to Bobby Orr, even before he played an NHL game.
“He’s just a terrific guy,” said Tocchet. “He cares about everybody. He’s the same way whether we’re up or down and is a true captain. What he does for our team is incredible.”
His latest tour de force Saturday — a three-point effort for his 16th multi-point game of the season — not only fuelled a much needed victory and the first franchise shutout in Toronto, it gave our eastern Professional Hockey Writers Association brethren a better look a Hughes.
We vote on the Norris Trophy. We also vote on the Hart Trophy. It’s going to get interesting.
The Hart is awarded to a player deemed the most valuable to his team and where would the Canucks be without Hughes? They would be in a bad spot.
The Canucks struggle to score — they’re worst in chances and second lowest in shots — but what they do accomplish in the offensive zone is often driven by Hughes.
Speed and smarts are the entry point and augmented by forays behind the net to drive defenders crazy with a pinpoint pass or releasing an improvised shot.
Hughes ranks first among defencemen in points per game (1.24), even-strength points (29) and was tied for first in even-strength goals (eight), third in power play points (18) and overall production with 47 points (9-38).
He’s just two shy of blueliner leader Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, who has played six more games. And Hughes ranks second in average offensive zone possession time. All that showed up Saturday.
“We played a real mature game and we could have snuck out wins in Washington and Montreal,” Hughes said after the win in Toronto. “It means a lot because I know how the last couple of weeks have been for our team and all the different things we’ve had to battle this season.
“I’m just proud of the character we have in the room to put everything aside. Nothing is coming easy, but we’re working as hard as we can. There are no excuses or pointing fingers. We just go to work.”
The very good
Kevin Lankinen: Bargain UFA addition set NHL record by winning first 10 road games. A keeper.
Jake DeBusk: Streaky scorer needed first 10 games to click. Has team high 17 goals, 12 on road.
Kiefer Sherwood: Undrafted. Undaunted. Career-high 13 goals, league-leading 249 hits.
Could be better
Danton Heinen: Started season in top six and faded. Good on PK, but just five goals.
Vincent Desharnais: Two-year deal. Struggled. Trade bait. Playing better now.
Daniel Sprong: Rolled dice on one-dimensional speedster. Put on waivers.
Could use break
Derek Forbort: Loses father to cancer in October, injures knee, then falls ill.
Erik Brannstrom: Can move puck but not big. Placed on waivers Sunday.