What The Analytics Say About Canucks Elias Pettersson's First Three Games Of The 2024-25 Season
The first three games of the 2024-25 regular season have not been ideal for Elias Pettersson. The Vancouver Canucks center has just one secondary assist in three games and has become one of the biggest talking points in the marketplace. While it is still early in the campaign, there is plenty of concern surrounding the Canucks star center, especially after he signed a mega eight-year, $92.8 million deal back in March.
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As expected, Pettersson's analytics at the start of the season are less than ideal. According to Natural Stat Trick, during his 38:43 of five-on-five ice time, Vancouver has been outshot 18-12 and have an xGF% of 38.98. The team has also given up 11 high-danger scoring chances compared to seven created, with Pettersson recording only two total shots. As mentioned, it is a small sample size, but it is clear that Pettersson and his linemates are having a tough time generating any sort of offence at five-on-five this season.
Moving to the power play, Pettersson does have a secondary assist but has only two shots on goal in 13:18 of ice time. His low shot total is concerning as he isn't shooting the puck, with only three total attempts so far this season. With zero high-danger chances created on the power play so far this year, Pettersson needs to find a way to utilize his powerful shot and get more pucks on the net with the man advantage.
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As for his partnership with Jake DeBrusk, the two have yet to find chemistry in the regular season. The duo has played 29:58 together at even strength, and have an XGF% of 28.59%. Yes, they have outscored the opposition 2-1, but they also have an 8-4 disadvantage in high-danger chances created. While they may have looked good together at Training Camp and in the pre-season, they have looked disjointed through the first three games, which has even led to them being split up so far this season.
Lastly, NHL EDGE's zone time map shows that Pettersson has spent more time at even strength in the defensive zone than the offensive zone. After three games, the defensive zone has a slight lead at 42.7% compared to the offensive zone at 39%. If Pettersson can flip those numbers over the next three games, he should be able to start generating more offence, which should help him get out of his early-season funk.
Despite the season being only three games in, Pettersson's analytics are concerning. They are amplified even more as this decline can be traced back all the way to the end of last season. Whether he is just shaking off the rust or he is badling through an injury, Pettersson needs to find a way to kick his game into gear if the Canucks are going to be successful for the rest of the 2024-25 season.
