The Vancouver Canucks’ Road Performance Overview
The Vancouver Canucks established themselves as one of the more formidable away teams in the NHL during the 2024-25 season, finishing with a commendable record of 21 wins, 14 losses, and 6 overtime losses on the road, accumulating 48 points, placing them seventh overall in the league. Notably, 26 of their 41 road matches took place during five extensive road trips, each exceeding four games in length. Now, as they prepare for their inaugural five-game road expedition of the 2025-26 season, it’s relevant to assess their performance across those longer journeys last year.
Early Season Success (October 15 – 22)
Vancouver achieved significant success in their early season road trip, finishing with a 3-1-0 record against notable teams such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Chicago Blackhawks, securing six out of a possible eight points. Over this stretch, the Canucks netted a total of 13 goals while conceding only 9, showcasing a solid offensive display. They outshot their opponents with 122 shots compared to just 115 against, maintaining an impressive effort with no fewer than 25 shots in any game. The power play was also effective, converting 50% of their opportunities, and their penalty kill successfully contained 12 of 14 penalties.
Continued Dominance (November 23 – December 3)
Their positive momentum carried into early December with a 5-1-1 record on the road, notably helping Kevin Lankinen set a new NHL record. Despite facing playoff contenders, including the Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild, the Canucks battled hard against teams like the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins, with five of the six games decided by just a goal. However, their shot production was concerning as they allowed 179 shots against, compared to 151 of their own, but they excelled in the third period with 55 shots. Their power play was akin to their previous trip, converting 6 out of 18 attempts, while the penalty kill maintained about 80% effectiveness.
Challenging January (January 6 – 14)
The month of January represents a critical juncture for the Canucks. After a successful five-game road winning streak in 2023-24, the 2024-25 season marked a stark contrast. Competing against the likes of the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver struggled, managing only one victory out of five games and scoring just 9 goals overall. Their offensive efforts were blunted, resulting in only 107 total shots, with a low of 14 against the Hurricanes. Power play efficiency dipped to two successful goals out of 12 chances, though the penalty kill held up with 12 out of 15 penalties successfully killed.
Struggles in February (February 22 – March 1)
The team faced an even tougher test during their next road stretch, posting a dismal 1-4-0 record. In games against tough opponents like the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken, the Canucks managed only a single win in overtime against the Los Angeles Kings. They struggled to generate shots, registering just 122 over five games, with two contests where they failed to hit 20 shots total. Meanwhile, they were outshot 142 to 122 by their opponents. Once again, their power play yielded 2 goals on 12 attempts, but they did boast a commendable penalty kill success rate of 93.3% during this trip.
Final Road Trip Assessment (March 20 – 30)
As they approached the end of the season, the Canucks dealt with significant injuries, missing key players like Filip Chytil and Elias Pettersson. Nevertheless, they remained in the playoff hunt while showcasing a noteworthy improvement in shots, achieving 171 across six matches, including an impressive 39 against the New York Rangers. This marked their first instance since their initial road trip of the season where they outshot their opposition, registering 64 shots in second periods over the trip. The power play continued to struggle at 16.7%, yet the penalty kill managed an 86% effectiveness rate.
Starting tonight, the Canucks kick off their first five-game road trip of the new season, facing the Dallas Stars at 5:00 PM PT, followed by a matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow. Their subsequent games will take them up against the Capitals, Penguins, and Predators before returning for a trio of home games. Keep up with the Vancouver Canucks through THN for the latest updates, insightful interviews, and in-depth analyses.
