Is the Vancouver Canucks cup half full or half empty at the midway point of their NHL regular season?
The answer is based on one’s perspective.
The Canucks are just 16-16-9 after 41 games yet sit 3rd in the tight Pacific Division.
The numbers show Vancouver ranks in the bottom 3rd in most key categories. Here’s a closer look:
Goals for: 2.36 per game. 25th out of 30 (only ahead of Anaheim in the Western Conference)
Goals against: 2.76 per game. 22nd
Power play: 16.7 %. 25th
Penalty kill: 78.8 % 23rd
When the Canucks beat Carolina 3-2 in their last outing, it was only the 9th time they have won a game decided by one goal.
On the other hand, they have lost 16 times by a single goal, although seven have been in overtime (1-7) and two in a shootout (3-2).
The Sedins are averaging close to a point a game but everyone else (except Hansen) is well below half a point a game.
Many predicted the Canucks would dip in the standings this season and they have done that; yet the optimists can point out despite all their mediocre stats today they are sitting in a playoff spot.
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Just how weak is the Pacific Division?
Every team, except for first place LA has given up more goals than they have scored.
Arizona is in 2nd place with 44 points after 40 games even though they have allowed 13 more goals than they have scored.
Vancouver is -15, Calgary is -19, Anaheim is -21, San Jose is -6 and last place Edmonton is -20 in goal differential.
The Pacific has arguably tumbled from the most competitive division just a couple of seasons ago to the least.
For what it is worth, the division leaders are Washington and Florida in the Eastern Conference and Dallas and Los Angeles in the West.
Of those four teams only the Capitals made the playoffs last season.
Washington has the overall lead by a point over Dallas, yet Florida is in the discussion for most overachieving team as the Panthers are riding a club record 11 game win streak.
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A major difference between last year’s Prince George Cougars team and this season’s edition, is competitive focus by avoiding a lengthy losing skid.
A year ago they went thru a dry spell of suffering 12 straight defeats, but in 2015-16 they have not lost more than two straight.
The Cougars have been fortunate this season to ice a healthy line-up.
They have not had a major injury to a key player which has allowed them to ice a consistent well balanced attack.
With the WHL trade deadline on Sunday, there is no need for the Cougars to make any significant changes.
Sure they would like to be a buyer and upgrade their roster, but not at the price of giving up a good young prospect.
The Cougars have a mix of players with good chemistry which is something not to mess with the most important part of the season still to come.
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Sure there’s plenty of anticipation and hype, but let’s not put too much emphasis on the importance of this weekend’s double-header between the Victoria Royals and the P.G. Cougars.
Yes, second place is up for grabs in the BC Division and the Western Conference, but there are still far too many games left to use the term “crucial”.
The Cougars are just two points behind the second place Royals with 2 games in hand.
P.G. has 32 games remaining, half at home.
These teams appear on a collision course for a first round playoff match-up for the second straight year, and while home ice is important both teams have recently demonstrated they can win in the other team’s building.
This is the 3rd double between the Cougars and Royals with the first two being a split.
The Cats are wrapping up a 10 game stretch against BC Division opposition with six of those games against the Royals, including tonight and Saturday.
The Cougars, who also play in Victoria the second last weekend of the season March 11th and 13th, try to erase the sting of dropping two at home last weekend against the last place Vancouver Giants.
From the Quote Rack:
Former Harlem Globetrotter legend Meadowlark Lemon passed away last week. At his funeral, friends and family each threw a bucket of confetti at the casket.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
Sean Payton says he is staying in New Orleans, “I can’t imagine me ever coaching another team.” So guess it’s “the Devil and Saints you know.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
The Philadelphia Eagles fired coach Chip Kelly with one game left in the season. In a year filled with controversy, it’s not clear what made the Chip hit the fan.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
And in case you missed it:
A golf course owned by Donald Trump is no longer being considered to host a major golf tournament due to remarks that Trump has made about Mexicans and Muslims. You know there is a problem when your views on race are too extreme for a private golf club.
Conan O’Brien of TNT
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller