Canucks captain Quinn Hughes has an innate ability to dictate tempo and drive the offence. It will be needed against the Jets, Blues and J.T. Miller and the Rangers
The numbers are numbing and so is the pain.
It was just the latest example of his ever expanding and electric game.
Hughes leads all NHL defencemen in goals involved with a stunning 34.7 percentage. Despite missing 14 games, including four from a March 1 ailment in the latest setback, his presence is pivotal for a three-game, litmus test this week.
The reigning Norris Trophy winner has 62 points (15-47) in 52 games and remains third in blueliner scoring. And considering he’s at less than 100 per cent efficiency — somewhere between 70 to 80 is a good bet — enduring some discomfort comes with stretch-drive territory and determination to lead by example.
“I feel healthy enough, back to where I want to feel and now it’s just about performing, which I’m going to try do,” said Hughes. “I’m proud of the group and we’ve got to keep pushing.”
That can been harder because of the trickle-down effect of a Dec. 1 collision in Seattle. Hughes got tangled up with Andre Burakovsky while trying to prevent the big winger from getting to the net on a second-period Kraken goal. Hughes got up slowly and kept playing, but was vulnerable defensively and limited offensively.
He kept stretching and rotating at the bench to alleviate stiffness, but after a shift midway through the final period, he was parked at the end of the bench. The Canucks said he suffered a “tweak” not related to a Jan. 31 oblique-muscle strain in Dallas on a cross-check to the ribs from Evgenii Dadonov.
However, it’s common for the load placed on the oblique to affect other parts of the body and cause discomfort.
“After the first injury, I tried to come back and other things were not as strong and I was overworking muscles,” clarified Hughes. “I haven’t really had an injury like that before. It’s just felt like a little bit of a domino effect. It’s disappointing. I felt like my game was in a really good spot.
“I’m just focusing on getting better every day from a health standpoint. I don’t think anybody was being stupid by rushing (me) back by any means. I felt pretty good the first time I came back and then dealt with the same things from before. It was a freaky thing.”
Here are challenges the Canucks are facing this week:
Canucks vs. Jets
Why watch: Incentive to chase WC1 spot
The Canucks are in a four-way fight for the second wild-card spot and should strive for first. If the playoffs started today, they would draw the soaring Jets. They are explosive with a top ranking in power play (31.3 per cent) and fewest goals-against per game (2.28), second in goals for (3.48) and have the top goalie.
Who to watch: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck
The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has a leg up on doubling up. His calm and cool demeanour under fire has led to setting the pace in wins (39), goals-against average (1.97), saves percentage (. 927) and shutouts (6). Simply stated, if he sees the puck he’s going to stop it.
Canucks vs. Blues
When and where: Thursday, 4:30 p.m. | Enterprise Center
TV: Sportsnet Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: No singing Blues in St. Loo
Head coach Jim Montgomery has his club playing with a heightened level of desperation in the wild-card chase. The resurgent Blues made quite the statement Saturday in Minnesota with a 5-1 victory in a tough building to improve to 8-2-2 in their last 12 games.
Who to watch: Right-winger Jordan Kyrou
The speedster struck for his fifth career hat trick against the Wild to push his team-leading goal total to 27. “Ever since we came back from the break, we’ve been playing playoff hockey,” said Kyrou. “We’re trying to keep that work ethic going.”
Canucks vs. Rangers
When and where: Saturday, 10 a.m. | Madison Square Garden
TV: Sportsnet Pacific, HNIC. Radio: Sportsnet 650
Why watch: Which Blueshirts will show up?
The Rangers lost four straight and have won two straight in their uneven journey to claim a wild-card spot. Igor Shesterkin posted his fifth shutout with a 21-save effort Saturday in a 4-0 road victory over the vastly-improved Columbus Blue Jackets. “We’re in complete charge of winning and won’t have to look anywhere else,” said Rangers coach Peter Laviolette.