Vancouver Canucks Extend Win Streak, Storm Back to Humiliate Montreal Canadiens

The Vancouver Canucks are on a winning streak, reminiscent of last year's President's Trophy winning form, having won 11 of the last 14 games, including the last three games.

The most recent victory was against the fabled Montreal Canadiens, a 4-3 shootout win. The games against the Habs are always big, as a large chunk of the Canucks roster was either born in Quebec, or played in Montreal previously.

Montreal native Roberto Luongo was lit up for three goals on the first nine shots against, and it didn't look good for the Canucks.

But like all good teams, the Canucks pulled a victory out of a game they had no business winning. Mason Raymond got the Canucks on the board with a short-handed goal to bring the Canucks within two.

Then Cody Hodgson and Sami Salo put pucks past Carey Price, and the teams headed to overtime.

Both Price and Luongo made great saves in the overtime session, but in the shootout, Luongo was perfect, while Hodgson buried the puck against Price to leave the Montreal faithful in disbelief.

What is the difference between the great team we've seen the last 14 games, and the inconsistent and sometimes painful-to-watch team we saw in the first 14 games of the season? 

The turning point was back-to-back losses in games against Minnesota and St. Louis on November 3rd and 4th.

The Minnesota game was particularly bad, losing 5-1 to a division rival, especially one that usually has been a punching bag for the Canucks in recent years.

Kevin Bieksa called it the Canucks' worst game in all the time he has played here—which is saying something, as Bieksa has played 375 regular season, and 56 playoff games for the Canucks. 

After those losses, the Canucks were 6-7-1, "good" enough for 11th in the West.

Even in a Gary Bettman NHL with loser points, the Canucks weren't looking anywhere near good enough to make the playoffs. 

After that low point, the Canucks have gone on an 11-3 run, starting with a 6-2 victory over the hated Blackhawks (I'll miss that rivalry after realignment) and most recently picking up the shootout win in Montreal. 

Over this 14-game stretch, the Canucks have outscored their opponents almost two to one, putting up 54 goals for and only allowing 28 themselves. 

The Canucks have now clawed their way back up the standings to a tie for fourth in the West. (Interestingly, they are tied with Detroit, who happened to be 12th in the West back at the Canucks' nadir on Nov. 4th.) 

The depth Mike Gillis has stockpiled is starting to show, as the Canucks are battling injuries yet still picking up points.

Alex Burrows is hurt? No problem, Jannik Hansen will step up and score. And keep on scoring, the NHL's best Dane is on a tear with nine goals in the last 14 games.

Luongo gets hurt? Oh yeah, the Canucks have the best backup in the West. 

Is NHL's top offence from last year missing the departed 50-point defenceman Christian Ehrhoff?

They haven't missed a beat, scoring 3.8 goals per game during this streak. They also lead the NHL in power-play goals (18) and power-play percentage (25.8 percent).

Next up for the Canucks are the Ottawa Senators this Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada. Can the Canucks extend the win streak?