smithers joe

I don't know that they'll struggle for .500 hockey, but they'll have moments when they'll struggle. And it keeps it real and reminds them that they're never there "yet". To not let down and keep making adjustments as necessary. Priming up for playoffs.

No team is "great" until they prove it at the end of the year. I don't assess at this point because it's survival of the fittest. We have some great players and if they all show up and click at the right time, we're great. And can beat anyone. We're "greater" than St. Louis at the moment, check the standings. We beat them 5-0 this year so nothing's a given.

Actually, Joe, you might be on to something. I looked up the Canucks' all-time records by month. Sure enough, historically January and February are sub-.500 months. Here are the numbers:

(note that percentages include points earned through ties, OT losses and shootout losses)

October - .512,  248 Wins in 553 games played

November - .492,  294 Wins in 686 games played

December - .490,  274 Wins in 649 Games played

January - .463,  256 Wins in 665 Games played

February - .472,  251 Wins in 623 Games played

March - .505,  321 wins in 742 Games played

April - .541, 104 wins in 217 games.