Bruins Shut Out Canucks in Matchup of NHL Division Leaders

The Vancouver Canucks have been one of the more improved teams in the 2019-20 NHL season. Last Year, Vancouver was 35-36-11 (81 points), fifth in the Pacific Division, 12th in the Western Conference, and not in the playoffs. This year, the Canucks went into their February 4th game at Boston on top of the Pacific Division standings. Meanwhile, the host Bruins sat on top of the Atlantic Division standings, and were battling the Metropolitan Division leading Washington Capitals for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

The Bruins have been almost unbeatable at home this season, and came into the game with a 17-2-9 record, the fewest home losses in the league. That home domination continued in this game with the Bruins shutting out the Canucks 4-0. Vancouver could manage only 25 shots on goal, and Bruins’ goalie Tuukka Rask (19-4-6) stopped them all for his third shutout of the season. Canucks’ goalie Jacob Markstrom (20-14-3) had 38 saves. Charlie Coyle had a goal and a save, and Charlie McAvoy had a pair of assists for the Bruins.

Boston won its fourth game in a row and improved to 32-10-12 (76 points). The Bruins play at Chicago on February 5th. Vancouver is 30-19-5 (65 points. The Canucks are 17-5-3 at home, but with this loss, they are 13-14-2 on the road. They will need to improve on that to go deep into the playoffs. They will get a chance to do that in their next game, February 6th at Minnesota.