Canucks Update: Red Hot in Vancouver

The Vancouver Canucks are third in the Western Conference and first in the Northwest Division.

They have tallied 18 points this month, and are one of the hottest teams in the NHL.

Hosting the shaky Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, the Canucks look to improve to 13-2-2 in the month of November and claim sole possession of second place in the West.

Columbus in second to last in the Central Division, and just 4-9 this month.

All-Star netminder Roberto Luongo has been the biggest key to the Canucks' success this season—especially this past month.

Vancouver relies on Luongo to keep the club amongst the best in the Western Conference, and he has certainly lived up to expectations.

Luongo has had an astounding month so far, racking up seven wins with a 1.70 GAA, a .935 save percentage, and an impressive three shutouts—including back-to-back goose eggs in the Canucks' last two games.

Captain Marcus Naslund has also helped his team's cause this season. The 34-year-old has played exceptionally well, with 22 points in 24 games played this season.

November has been especially good for the captain, who has collected 13 points and put up a plus-minus rating of +6 in 12 games this month. Naslund's offensive presence has greatly contributed to Vancouver's surge.

Twin phenoms Henrick and Daniel Sedin have also been on fire this month. The two brothers have combined for 27 points and a +14 rating in Novemer.

When their key players perform, the Vancouver Canucks are an intimidating team—and if they can keep up this level of an intensity, a playoff appearance seems to be in the cards.