‘I’m playing the best of my career, but in saying that, it’s a really hard and humbling league.’ — Quinn Hughes
Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues
When/where: Monday, 4:30 p.m., Enterprise Center
TV: Amazon Prime, ESPN. Radio: Sportsnet 650
It’s not just the numbing numbers. It’s the manner in which Hughes has a relentless drive to improve his game, fitness, diet and find mental peace away from daily demands on and off the ice.
A dramatic read and release of a backhand shot in the high slot that found the far side — his first of two goals in an impressive 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals — was his sixth career two-marker night.
Mattias Ohlund holds the franchise record at seven two-goal games.
“They were probably expecting me to push it to the outside on my forehand and I’ve got to take the ice that they’re giving me,” Hughes said of the effort. “I’ve worked on my backhand and coming across the top the last couple of years.
“I’m playing the best of my career, but in saying that, it’s a really hard and humbling league. Keep my body healthy, be at my best and a good leader and see where that goes.”
It has gone into high orbit.
Hughes is three goals shy of a career-best 17 goals established last season and his 54 points (14-40) through 44 games are two shy of Cale Makar, who leads all blueliners in scoring.
Hughes always looks for avenues and release points to add to his offensive arsenal. Another reminder was on Dec. 8 with a backhanded goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Hughes took a high stick to the face and drew a four-minute power play. It led to his brief first-period exit, a number of stitches, and then retuning with a full face shield.
He would then execute a highlight-reel, no-look backhand opening goal through a mass of bodies to pick the short side on startled goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.
“I’m extremely impressed,” said Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen. “Playing against him the last few years, and now seeing how he drags guys along and can take over games, is remarkable.”
“I’m ready to go and we’ll see what happens,” said Joshua, a former member of the Blues. “Obviously, the guys played a real good game last night (Saturday), so we’ll see. I’m close.
“They have a good squad over there (St. Louis). You have to keep your feet moving and your head on a swivel and be ready to compete.”
“He can skate, has good size, is competitive and is going to play a long time,” predicted Hughes. “This is hopefully the start of a long career. His development may pop sooner than you think.”
The fear: Another letdown in a game with wild-card playoff positioning implications. The consistently inconsistent Canucks haven’t won consecutive games since Dec. 1. They’re at their best when they start strong and don’t chase games.
The top guns: Hughes has 17 points (7-10) in his last 12 games and is 22 points shy of Alex Edler’s franchise career record of 409 for defencemen. Hughes has played 516 fewer games than Edler.
The wounded: Canucks: Kiefer Sherwood (undisclosed, day-to-day). Blues: Nick Leddy (lower body, IR), Torey Drug (ankle, IR).
The possible lineup:
Heinen-Miller-Boeser
Hoglander-Pettersson-Karlsson*
Joshua-Suter-DeBrusk
Di Giuseppe-Blueger-Sasson
Hughes-Myers
Forbort-Hronek
Pettersson-Soucy
Lankinen
(*Garland had maintenance day Sunday)
The prediction: Canucks revert to form and play their best on road. They improve to 13-7-4 away from Rogers Arena with 4-2 win.