Vancouver Canucks: Week 10 Pacific Division Power Rankings
Dec 6, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic (17) celebrates after scoring a goal with Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) and Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) in the second period of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Vancouver Canucks are struggling in what is probably the worst division in the league right now.
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When the Vancouver Canucks came home for a four-game home stand, they only had one goal: win hockey games. Unfortunately, things did not go quite as planned and the team has now lost five straight games. Will they find a way out of that misery?
Canucks leadership always said the playoffs will be the goal this season, just like they were last year and the year before that. Because of that, Benning made a few major moves, shipping out the likes of Eddie Lack, Zack Kassian, Kevin Bieksa and Nick Bonino. The important point is that all those moves were meant to make the team younger and better at the same time.
That has not worked out so far, but where does the team rank among Pacific Division rivals this week? Let’s take a look.
Next: 7. Vancouver Canucks
Dec 3, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller (30) and defenseman Alexander Edler (23) defend against Dallas Stars forward Patrick Sharp (10) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Dallas Stars won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
7. Vancouver Canucks
Week #9 Record: 0-3-1
Overall Record: 9-11-8
What’s Good?
Unfortunately, it is hard to find much good in the Canucks right now. Luckily, though, there is something we can name. Henrik and Daniel. The aging duo continues to score game after game, and unless they randomly collapse one day, they should continue to be good for another few years.
What’s Bad?
The rest. The bottom three forward lines, the second and third defensive pairings, and the goalies. None of them had good performances last week. Ryan Miller was disappointing, Jacob Markstrom was even worse, nobody not named Sedin seems to know how to score, and the defence struggles equally. Not a good time to be Canucks fans.
What’s Next?
The Canucks stay at home for another two games (vs. Buffalo and NY Rangers) before heading on a six-game road trip. Winning on the road is generally tougher than at home, so wins against Buffalo and New York could give the team a much-needed boost.
Next: 6. Calgary Flames
Dec 4, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Karri Ramo (31) makes a save in front of Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) and Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27) during overtime at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
6. Calgary Flames
Week #9 Record: 2-0-0
Overall Record: 10-14-2
What’s Good?
The Flames are getting back on track after losing three straight games on the road. They managed to score four and five goals, respectively in the wins against the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins — two teams the Canucks were unable to beat. Dougie Hamilton finally looks like that new No. 1 defenceman the Flames were hoping for.
What’s Bad?
Well, a team usually does not go from awful to awesome in a day and there is still a lot going wrong in Calgary. Both of their wins were one-goal games where they got scored on a total of seven times. Furthermore, the Flames’ 94 goals against are by far worst in the league (Winnipeg is second at 85).
What’s Next?
After playing Dallas and Boston last week, they will play against Buffalo and New York this week. Wins against those two and even the Flames would be in the playoff race again — the division is that bad. But it takes more to shoot farther up the power rankings.
Next: 5. Arizona Coyotes
Dec 4, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Max Domi (16) celebrates his goal against the Buffalo Sabres with Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) during the third period at First Niagara Center. Buffalo beat Arizona 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
5. Arizona Coyotes
Week #9 Record: 0-4-0
Overall Record: 13-13-1
What’s Good?
Wow, this is a tough one. Honestly, it was a week to forget for the Coyotes.
What’s Bad?
Everything. Especially the fact that Arizona surrendered five goals in each of their four losses. They scored four against the Carolina Hurricanes but only had a total of five goals in the other three games — also quite bad.
What’s Next?
The Coyotes were one of the league’s biggest surprises through the first quarter of the season, with Max Domi and Anthony Duclair emerging as star players. Domi is still the team’s top scorer with 10 goals and 23 points in 27 games, but it will take more from his teammates, if the Coyotes want to get back on the winning track. Only two of their final 10 games this year will be on the road, which might help in the tight playoff race.
Next: 4. Edmonton Oilers
Dec 2, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Mark Letestu (55) celebrates his second period goal against the Boston Bruins at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
4. Edmonton Oilers
Week #9 Record: 3-0-0
Overall Record: 11-15-2
What’s Good?
The Oilers enjoyed a perfect week, winning 3-2 against Boston, 2-1 against Dallas and 4-2 against Buffalo, making it three straight wins for the club. Goaltender Anders Nilsson showed a lot of promise as he made 38 and 42 games, respectively, in those two games.
What’s Bad?
Speaking of 38 and 42 saves, what was up with that defence? To be honest, bad defence is no surprise and nothing new in Edmonton. Rookie Darnell Nurse is doing an outstanding job, but you know your defence is bad when you have a rookie as your No. 1.
What’s Next?
The Oilers will have to face two dangerous teams this week, the San José Sharks and the New York Rangers. Losing Connor McDavid hurt, but getting another win or two would feel good for everyone associated with the Oilers, and might finally get the team on track. That sounds like a joke… Oops.
Next: 3. San Jose Sharks
Dec 5, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; The San Jose Sharks players look on from the bench during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Lightning won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
3. San José Sharks
Week #9 Record: 0-3-0
Overall Record: 14-12-0
What’s Good?
Joonas Donskoi, Barklay Goodrow, Matt Tennyson. Who? Just a few youngsters playing regular NHL roles for the Sharks. When everyone thought the team was heading straight into misery, the Sharks answered with a bunch of young guys and stayed in playoff contention. Joel Ward is surprisingly one of the team’s best scorers with 21 points in 26 games.
What’s Bad?
Even though the Sharks lost three straight games, there is nothing really bad about them right now. Their last two losses (1-0 vs. Anaheim and 4-3 vs. Tampa Bay) were one-goal games that could have been won by the Sharks. They were not, but that is no reason to panic.
What’s Next?
The Sharks’ schedule for the week looks relatively easy compared to other Pacific teams. Their first two games of the week will be back-to-back on the road, but the opponents are two of the worst teams in the division — the Oilers and Flames. The match up with the Minnesota Wild will be tough, but there is little doubt that the losing streak will end soon.
Next: 2. Anaheim Ducks
Nov 11, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his second goal of the game in the third period for his 300th career goal in a 4-3 overtime loss against the Edmonton Oilers at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2. Anaheim Ducks
Week #9 Record: 2-1-0
Overall Record: 11-12-5
What’s Good?
The boys from Orange County are back! With wins against the Sharks and the Lightning, the Anaheim Ducks are back in playoff contention. They only surrendered three goals against in three games and John Gibson finally looks ready to take the next step, as he now has a .944 save percentage through seven games.
What’s Bad?
Let’s just focus on the good. The Ducks are back.
What’s Next?
The Ducks only have one game in the next 10 days. Enough time to rest and prepare for the upcoming tasks, but also enough time to lose their momentum. We’ll see how that goes.
Next: 1. Los Angeles Kings
Dec 6, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) is greeted by Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) after the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Staples Center. Kings won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
1. Los Angeles Kings
Week #9 Record:
Overall Record: 17-8-1
What’s Good?
The Kings are one of two teams with a positive goal differential, at plus-13. Not great, but it is working. Why is it working? Because the Kings have by far the fewest goals against, at 55. They got three goals against in a 5-3 win over Pittsburgh, but that was an exception.
What’s Bad?
Is it okay to say Anze Kopitar is struggling because he has 16 points in 26 games? No? Okay…
What’s Next?
Next: Canucks Outlook: Week 10
Unless the injury bug bites the Kings, they will likely run away with the Pacific Division title. The Ducks may come close if they go on more than one lengthy winning streak, but it is highly unlikely that they can get by the Kings, if things continue to go as well as they have been for LA. However, 10 of LA’s next 11 games will be on the road — not an easy task