Canucks Buzz: 5 Keys To Vancouver Canucks Success

The Vancouver Canucks are rolling these days. Although they faced a shutout defeat on Tuesday in Montreal, the team is still poised to contend for 1st place in the Western Conference.

Here are five reasons why I believe the Canucks are streaking upwards!

A. Team getting healthy bodies back in the lineup.

Alex Burrows has returned for 4 games, and scored his 1st goal of the season Thursday playing with the Swedish twins. He fits right in the Canucks lineup and gives the forwards flexibility and depth.

Keith Ballard returned from his mild concussion and has brought his solid defensive presence and timely big hits to keep opposing forwards honest when crossing his blue-line.

B. Quest for the Stanley Cup clear in their eyes. Unlike a young, inexperienced team such as the Leafs, the Canucks have a group that understand their ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup. Nothing satisfies them more in the regular season as they prep and gel as a team to get a shot in the post-season.

C. Manny being Manny. Last season, the Vancouver third checking line featured Kyle Wellwood with Steve Bernier and Tanner Glass. The trio looked out of place on a nightly basis with Wellwood responsible to centre a checking line. He's the exact opposite of what you want in a physically strong checking C.

This season, Mike Gillis added Manny Malhotra from the San Jose Sharks mainly for his dominance in the face-off department, and also his addition to the penalty kill that struggled late last playoffs and regular season. One of the cheapest bargains has been Raffi Torres for a million dollars and Jannik Hansen for even less than that. The trio has 12 goals and 23 points combined. In a lot of ways, they have contributed more than the Ryan Kesler line.

D. Goaltenders sharing the duty. The addition of Cory Schneider as Luongo's back-up goalie has been a pleasant surprise this year. Cory has won 3 of his 3 starts, and .969 save %. He also keeps Roberto fresh for the playoffs and work more with new goaltender coach Rollie Melanson.

E. Growth of the Sedins. In the past, Daniel and Henrik Sedin were very rigid in how they play the game. Cycling in the right end boards of the offensive zone was their worst-kept secret in the NHL. However, last season and coming into this season, they have worked more off the rush and find long break-away type passes to spur each other on. On Friday night, Daniel Sedin scored easily on a 2-on-1 with brother Henrik merely 22 seconds into the contest in Ottawa. Pretty impressive.

We are All Canucks.

Joseph Trenton @TrentonNHL