Bruce Boudreau guides the Vancouver Canucks to a great start

Bruce Boudreau (Michael Miller, Wikimedia Commons)

Bruce Boudreau of Toronto, Ontario has only been the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks for nine days, but so far the Canucks organization has definitely responded to the coaching change. Vancouver has won all four of their games since firing head coach Travis Green and bringing Boudreau on board.

In the four wins, the Canucks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-0 on December 6, the Boston Bruins 2-1 on December 8, the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 on December 10, and the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on December 12. What the Canucks have made huge improvements on has been team defense. They only gave up five goals in four games, as they outscored their opponents, 12-5.

Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko was also honoured this past week. Demko was recognized as the NHL first star of the week. Demko won all four of the games with the Canucks, with a goals against average of 1.20, and a save percentage of .962.

Offensively, the Canucks got three goals and one assist for four points from Brock Boeser. He also scored on 27.3% of his shots and had three power-play points.

The Canucks still have a ways to get back into the playoff hunt. They continue to be six points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

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