Jake DeBrusk didn’t waste any time giving the Canucks a reason to believe November might bring another one of his scoring surges.
In Vancouver’s 5-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night, the winger scored twice and pushed his season goal total to five. It was a strong start to the month for a player who has built a reputation for finding another gear once November hits.
That kind of burst isn’t new for DeBrusk. Last season, he put up six goals and two assists in 14 November games, finishing second on the team in goals for the month behind Drew O’Connor’s seven. Even more striking, all six of those goals came in the first nine games of November.
The early signs this year are encouraging, too. Through 15 games, DeBrusk has 10 points, which is already twice what he had at the same point last season. He’s been one of Vancouver’s more streaky offensive players, but the production has been there so far.
The November numbers back up the idea that this is a month where he tends to heat up. Before Tuesday’s game, DeBrusk had 36 career goals in November, along with 26 assists. That adds up to 62 points in 97 games during the month, a pace that has stood out over time.
Still, Tuesday’s performance wasn’t just about his individual history. It also came with Vancouver’s top line clicking against Anaheim.
DeBrusk, Elias Pettersson, and Brock Boeser were all dangerous together, generating 13 scoring chances-for in 13:43 of 5-on-5 ice time as a unit. On the night, Pettersson led the Canucks with 16 scoring chances-for, while Boeser and DeBrusk were right behind him with 15 apiece.
The trio was especially noticeable late in the game, when their shifts kept pressing the Ducks and created repeated looks in the offensive zone.
DeBrusk will get his next chance to keep the momentum rolling on Thursday, when the Canucks face the Winnipeg Jets.
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Kings Top-Six Need Could Force A Massive Decision On Core Talent
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Elias Pettersson remains the kind of player who can reshape a roster debate in a hurry, which is exactly why any discussion around him comes with so much caution. Vancouvers side of the equation is complicated by the broader direction of the team and the uncertainty that comes with any blockbuster involving a player of that caliber, while recent changes in management only add another layer to a deal that would be difficult to pull off even if both sides were motivated. [Read more 🡒]