LA has also had one of the softest schedules in the league. 10 of 17 at home and only 6 of their 17 games have come against teams in the top half of the league in points %.
Still with the new playoff format (top 3 in each division then next best 2 teams) the Canucks can't fall too far behind the pack here.
Sure they have 24 points in 20 games but LA is only behind by 2 points with 3 games in hand.
On the other side Minny has the 8th spot with the same 24 points but 2 games in hand.
With 3 point games so common in the NHL today, the Canucks need to focus on every game to stay in the race.
They ahve had a good start but a playoff spot isn't a lock here.
My biggest worries are 3 fold
1) Lack of progress being made by Kassian but he is still quite young so it's too early
2) Burows production, sure some of that is probably due to a lack of timing after the injury but what if he is sliding?
3) Edler not being that true #1 Dman that we expect from him and he isn't getting any younger either. That being said the 6 Dmen have been quite good as a group but is there enough depth if we get an injury or 2 on the back end?
My guess is that it's going to be a long season with us in a playoff hunt to be sure but any lack of focus or a bad run could prove quite costly IMO.