We’re on the cusp of Christmas and the Vancouver Canucks are tops within the NHL.
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Good morning.
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Your Vancouver Canucks are in first place. The final time the Canucks stood atop the NHL this late into the season was the 2011-12 season, after they gained the President’s Trophy for the second time.
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They’re in first place in all the NHL by uncooked level totals.
However extra importantly, they’re in first place within the Pacific Division by factors share.
And that’s the battle to essentially maintain your eye on.
As a result of ending first within the divisions means not having to face Vegas or Los Angeles within the first spherical. Sure, it might imply going through Conor McDavid within the first spherical.
However even the very best participant on the planet doesn’t play purpose — although given the Edmonton Oilers don’t appear to have anybody else to play in web, possibly they need to give him a go there.
Canucks Report
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The purpose right here is that Edmonton aren’t the scary playoff opponent some thought they’d be. And in the event that they don’t really make the playoffs, then it’s an actual also-ran in that spot just like the Calgary Flames, who’re absolutely going to start rebuilding, or the stumbling Seattle Kraken, who’ve not one of the scoring and therefore not one of the swagger from final 12 months.
The 2 vs. three matchup within the Pacific Division semi last goes to be a struggle. You need to keep away from that.
The street forward
After Saturday’s house recreation versus San Jose, the Canucks have one recreation within the following 9 days.
They’re going to move into January very rested.
After opening January with a house recreation versus Ottawa, they’ve a seven recreation street journey. That’s an extended, powerful slog, however after a mid-way cease to open the journey in St. Louis, video games two by 4 are within the Huge Apple. Sure, these aren’t video games at house, however a minimum of you’re not coping with some loopy journey logistics.
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The journey for the remaining three video games is much from arduous both: they play Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Columbus, every with a day of relaxation between and none of these flights are very lengthy. The final recreation in Columbus is a matinee recreation, which means the Canucks shall be house of their beds at a really cheap hour.
Then they’ve two full days off earlier than 5 video games in 9 days at house that takes them to the All-Star break.
Enjoying rested is nearly as good because it will get and the Canucks completely should clear up on this stretch of the schedule.
@risingaction.bsky.social
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