The Vancouver Canucks are terrible – except when they’re not.
First, the Vancouver Canucks set a new record with four straight 5-2 losses. Then, they beat the Colorado Avalanche — a legitimate playoff contender — with a convincing 5-1 score. What is this team doing?
Who knows, but here’s how they are doing compared to their Pacific Division foes.
7. Edmonton Oilers (last week: 7)
Last Week’s Record: 0-3-0
Overall Record: 22-32-6
Three straight losses last week put the Oilers back into last place. Well, they are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs and lose the tie breaker, but they also have three more games played. If Edmonton wins the 2016 Draft Lottery and adds Auston Matthews to the likes of Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle and Leon Draisaitl, the NHL should probably consider suspending them for next year’s lottery… On the bright side, if the Oilers fall out of the top three thanks to the new lottery format, they get a chance to draft an elite defenceman in Jakob Chychrun or Olli Juolevi.
6. Vancouver Canucks (last week: 4)
Last Week’s Record: 1-3-0
Overall Record: 23-24-12
The Canucks lost four straight games with an identical score of 5-2 but had a great 5-1 comeback victory against the Colorado Avalanche. That’s what happens when first line of Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and Jannik Hansen combines for nine points and Ryan Miller has an outstanding night. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen a lot and the Canucks would be better off selling some of their pending UFAs at the trade deadline.
Related: Vancouver Canucks Make History
5. Calgary Flames (last week: 5)
Last Week’s Record: 1-3-0
Overall Record: 26-29-3
Dennis Wideman got suspended 20 games for cross-checking a linesman but won’t accept the punishment. Oh, the Flames also played some hockey last week, but that isn’t really worth talking about. A 5-2 win against the Canucks and three losses, including two against the Anaheim Ducks. Just like Edmonton and probably Vancouver, the Flames would be better off saying goodbye to the playoffs right now.
4. Arizona Coyotes (last week: 6)
Last Week’s Record: 2-1-0
Overall Record: 27-25-6
As opposed to the aforementioned teams, the Coyotes still have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. However, they need to start stringing some wins together which is something they have failed to do consistently so far this season. Winning 6-2 against the Montreal Canadiens and 6-3 against the Dallas Stars was a great start, but the 6-4 loss against the St. Louis Blues was the typical Coyote setback. Nine of Arizona’s next 11 games will be on the road, so things aren’t getting any easier.
3. San Jose Sharks (last week: 3)
Last Week’s Record: 2-1-0
Overall Record: 31-22-4
Wins against the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers along with a loss against the Carolina Hurricanes. Try to make sense of that. San Jose is the West’s best team on the road with a record of 20-9-2 — which should at least be enough to make the playoffs via a divisional spot. Two tough games coming up against the Blues and Avalanche, followed by rather easy ones against the Canucks and Buffalo Sabres. Unless the Canucks do something weird again. Like winning.
2. Anaheim Ducks (last week: 2)
Last Week’s Record: 4-0-0
Overall Record: 27-19-8
Five straight wins, six straight games without a regulation loss. The Ducks are back — they really are. However, last week’s wins came against the Canucks, Oilers and Flames, making them only have as impressive. That said, the Ducks are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders again. With ex-Canuck Mike Santorelli on their first line (for whatever reason).
1. Los Angeles Kings (last week: 1)
Last Week’s Record: 1-1-1
Overall Record: 34-20-4
Next: Canucks Week 21 Outlook and Staff Predictions
The Kings did not have a perfect week by any means. But their losses came against the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues — two of the best teams in the league. Then, they finished the week with a 2-1 victory against the Nashville Predators. If they really want to win another Stanley Cup, they will have to find a way to beat the big teams as well. The thing is, they probably will — but can they do it four times in a best-of-seven series?