Vancouver Canucks' Losing Streak No Indication for Future
The Vancouver Canucks have now lost two straight games, but that does not mean they have entered the long anticipated free-fall mode.
We get it, a 4-0-0 start was unsustainable for the Vancouver Canucks. A 4-0-1 was equally unsustainable. Now that the club sits at a 4-1-1 record, one may think the Canucks have entered free-fall mode and will be at the bottom of the standings very soon.
Bold prediction: they won’t be.
Unlike most of last season, the Canucks actually played well in their first four games and deserved to sit atop the standings. They were one of the NHL’s top teams in possession and earned their honours.
Then came the first two road games of the season, against the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks. In both games, the Canucks were heavily out-Corsied and didn’t do much to deserve a win. Just like they deserved their four wins, they also deserved the two losses.
But there are things to consider.
This is not an excuse it's just a fact…#Canucks have just played 6 games in 9 days and back to back road games. What did you expect?
— Dave Pratt (@DavePratt1040) October 24, 2016
Vancouver opened the 2016-17 season on October 15 and played their sixth game of the year on October 23. That’s six games in nine days. NHL players are elite athletes who train all year to endure stretches like that, but it is extremely tough nevertheless.
To make things worse, the fifth and sixth games of that stretch were played against the Kings and Ducks. Both teams, along with the San Jose Sharks, are the favourites to build the top three in the Pacific Division. In addition, both teams are top five in the league in possession.
Losing back-to-back games against division rivals hurts, but it is somewhat expected. We also shouldn’t forget that the loss against LA came in the shootout and the Canucks just about won that one as well.
Still, starting tomorrow with a match-up against the Ottawa Senators, the Canucks will play four games in nine days — that makes a huge difference.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying the Canucks are likely to stay atop the standings for the rest of the season. Chances are, they won’t even get back there.
However, getting a 4-1-1 record in nine days is a huge accomplishment and the two losses at the end do not mean the Canucks will go on a long losing streak.
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