What the Canucks can actually accomplish if they get into the playoffs

The Canucks probably aren’t winning the Stanley Cup this year. The prospect of the Canucks running the table in the first three rounds and beating out the winner of a much stronger Eastern Conference is a bit like the prospect of Erik Gudbranson getting another multi-year deal from an NHL team: not technically impossible, but highly unlikely.

At the same time, given their performance thus far and the makeup of the Pacific division, it seems equally unlikely that the Canucks are going to fall apart in the postseason and get swept in the first round. Then again, nobody expected the President’s Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning to get swept, either. Anything can happen in the playoffs.

There’s reason to believe that the Canucks have the potential to make some noise if they qualify for the postseason, and could even win a round or two depending on who they match up against. The Canucks have mostly gotten the better of their Pacific Division rivals this season, and they stack up reasonably well from an underlying perspective, too. Unfortunately, there are also a few Western Conference teams that always seem to have the Canucks’ number. Chief among them are the Vegas Golden Knights, who have already found success in the playoffs.

Vancouver is 2-8 against Vegas over the past two seasons, with neither of the Canucks wins coming in regulation. Additionally, the Golden Knights have outscored the Canucks 26-45 over the two franchises’ first 10 games against each other. Fans should be worried about the prospect of the Canucks matching up with Vegas in the first round, but if the Canucks remain atop the Pacific Division, this likely won’t be a problem.

Or will it?

All of the Pacific Division teams appear as though they will be jockeying for position all the way to the finish line, and that it’s going to be a close race right up until the final horn of game 2542. When it comes to Pacific Division teams and potential first round matchups for the Canucks, Vegas may be the only one who would give the Canucks serious problems.

Here is the Canucks record against every Pacific Division team currently in the playoff picture, from 2018-19 through 2019-20:

Calgary Flames: 4-3. Goals Scored: 22. Goals Against: 22.

Edmonton Oilers: 4-3-1. Goals Scored: 25. Goals Against: 20.

Arizona Coyotes: 1-2-2. Goals Scored: 11. Goals Against: 17.

Vegas Golden Knights: 2-4. Goals Scored: 16. Goals Against: 25.

The ideal scenario for the Canucks would be to face off against one of the Alberta teams in the first round, and for Arizona to squeak into the second round as their opponent. While the Canucks’ record against the Coyotes has been less spectacular, both teams are relatively inexperienced, and the Canucks have the potential to outgun their opponents in a seven-game series. It’s a winnable matchup, even if some oddsmakers would give Arizona the edge.

The most trouble (aside from Vegas, of course) lies in the Central Division. The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are two teams who have had limited playoff success and are going to be hungry to take that next step when they get another shot at the dance. The St. Louis Blues are first in the West and are the defending cup champions. One of these teams from the Central could very well matchup against the Canucks in the second round, and maybe even the first round.

Assuming the Canucks face off against a favourable opponent, making it past the first round is well within their grasp, which is a significant improvement over where most prognosticators had predicted they’d finish at the beginning of the season.

It’s important to remember that the Canucks best players are all in their early 20s and have little to no playoff experience. Gaining playoff experience will be paramount this year, so any success beyond the first round is almost an added bonus. Their best players have a few years to go before they reach their prime, and if the team is already poised to win a round if things go well, true cup contention is possible in the near future.

While it’s easy for fans and media alike to get caught in the hoopla that comes with playoff predictions, the Canucks need to actually make the playoffs first. Although they currently sit first in the Pacific Division, anything can happen down the final stretch of games, especially in a division as close as the Pacific.

The Canucks are currently five points ahead of the final wild card team, and eight points out of first in the Western Conference. Given the state of their division, reaching the second round is feasible. With a hot goalie and a little bit of magic, anything is possible. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time the Canucks have impressed as underdogs in the postseason.