The Penguins rank 29th in 5v5 shot suppression on the year and play at the league’s second-fastest pace. Hughes has recorded 51 more shot attempts than the closest Canuck during 5v5 play so it stands to reason he’ll be the biggest beneficiary.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (7-12-4) need wins and a few good things to go their way. They are just 1-4-2 since a convincing win over the Washington Capitals on Nov. 8. Since then, it’s been a freefall, and their only win was over the rebuilding San Jose Sharks, in which they yielded a three-goal lead before winning in a shootout.

A day after defeating the Boston Bruins, the Vancouver Canucks (11-6-3) are back in action on Wednesday as they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (7-12-4). This is the second time these two teams have met this season,