Vancouver Canucks: Fighting Back

With they're backs against the wall, with no where to run or hide the Canucks did what anyone in that situation would do. Fight. 

It is something that the Canucks have done quite literally in the past five games, accumulating 11 fighting majors including Jeff Cowan bloodying Shea Webbers nose on Thursday night. 

10 days ago the Canucks were clearly reeling in a really bad spot in the West and have let they're frustrations out on they're opponents including the February 16th battle with the Oilers were they accumulated a total of seven fighting majors!

The rage in the Canucks seems to have inspired the team of late as they have overtaken the Flames by 2 points with their 3-2 shootout win at Nashville on Thursday.

Perhaps more importantly, the victory gave them a 4 point cushion on the 9th place Phoenix Coyotes in a nail biting race for the playoffs. 

With the Canucks back in the playoff picture, they may be back in contention to acquire a big name player before the trade deadline next Tuesday. 

They remain a long shot to land a Brad Richards or Mats Sundin, but with they're recent turnaround, they may not need to make a significant move. 

With Roberto Luongo's best performance of the season Thursday, the return of Kevin Bieksa,and great play from youngsters like Mason Raymond, the Canucks have shown signs of the team last year that finished a franchise best 105 points. 

While Dave Nonis is still likely to make some move before the deadline, it seems unlikely with his budget and the way the team has gone of late that anything major will happen. 

I look for the Canucks to possibly make a move for a forward like Ladislav Nagy and maybe little known defencemen but for the moment, however, it seems the Canucks are in decent shape. 

The question will be whether they feel they can make a serious run this year riding Luongo's coattails or to take a huge risk and go after a rental player while giving up a ton of prospects. 

The Canucks seem to be content with their team the way it is but in the NHL, no player is safe and nothing is sure.