Yahoo Sports Brock Boeser's Absence Is Causing Significant Issues For The Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks miss Brock Boeser, plain and simple. The Canucks right winger has been out the last five games after sustaining an injury on November 7, with Vancouver going 2-3 during that time. While Boeser has always been a key part of the team, his recent absence from the lineup shows just how impactful he can be while in the lineup.
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Starting with the overall team, the Canucks have struggled at both ends of the ice over the past five games. They are generating less in the offensive zone while also struggling to keep the puck out of their own net. Below is a comparison between when Boeser was in the lineup and when he wasn't so far this season.
With Boeser (12 games) | Without Boeser (5 games) | |
|---|---|---|
Record | 7-2-3 | 2-3 |
Goals Per Game | 3.25 | 3.00 |
Goals Against Per Game | 2.92 | 3.80 |
Shots Per Game | 28.4 | 27.6 |
Shots Against Per Game | 26.9 | 28.6 |
Giveaways Per 60 | 12.09 | 17.60 |
Takeaways Per 60 | 5.67 | 5.00 |
While the sample sizes are different, the comparison is a good visual of how Vancouver has struggled without Boeser in the lineup. Arguably, the most eye-opening part of the comparison is Boeser's defensive impact on the team, which isn't discussed enough. While there are other factors as to why the Canucks have struggled over the past five games, the numbers show the impact Boeser can have on this team when he is in the lineup.
As for his linemates, it has become abundantly clear that J.T. Miller is not the same player without Boeser on his wing. Miller has struggled to produce and was even benched during the third period of last night's game against the Nashville Predators. Here is a look at Miller's five-on-five analytics this season with and without Boeser on his wing.
With Boeser | Without Boeser | |
|---|---|---|
Total Time On Ice | 123:55 | 91:46 |
Goals For Per 60 | 3.39 | 3.27 |
Goals Against Per 60 | 0.97 | 4.58 |
Shots For Per 60 | 30.99 | 24.84 |
Shots Against Per 60 | 26.15 | 32.03 |
Scoring Chances For Per 60 | 31.96 | 20.27 |
Scoring Chances Against Per 60 | 20.34 | 26.15 |
High-Danger Scoring Chances Per 60 | 15.98 | 9.15 |
High-Danger Scoring Chances Against Per 60 | 8.72 | 12.42 |
In short, Miller is not the same player without Boeser on his wing. Miller's analytics with Boeser are starkly different from those when he has to play with someone else on his right wing. While Miller has still found a way to be productive, with five points in the five games Boeser has missed, his overall play has taken a sharp decline since the injury occurred.
If anything, this injury shows just how valuable Boeser can be when he is in Vancouver's lineup. They look like a completely different team at five-one-five without him, which is a testament to how far Boeser's game has developed over the past few seasons. With no official timetable attached to Boeser's return, the Canucks will need to find a way to replicate what he brings to the team quickly in order to break out of their recent funk.
