Last year’s Vancouver Canucks team was such a disaster that few expected them to make much of a playoff run for the 2014-15 season. Added to that assumption was the Canucks’ tough road in a Pacific Division that includes the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and perennial powers Anaheim and San Jose. The Pacific is well regarded as the best division in hockey, and yet, the Canucks began the week in second place behind only Anaheim and with a rediscovery of their past identity as one of the most skilled teams in the game.
After a year of misery with the insufferable eye sore bore of paint dry hockey under head coach John Tortorella, the Canucks are again pleasing to the eyes with a playing style that fits their roster to perfection. The first place to look as to why the Canucks are back as a contender is new head coach Willie Desjardins.
Under New Management
After Canucks hero Trevor Linden was named team President he quickly hired Jim Benning as general manager and Willie Desjardins as head coach. The 57-year-old Desjardins arrived after winning the American Hockey League Calder Cup Championship with the Texas Stars. Before that he was a highly regarded Canadian junior coach with the Medicine Hat Tigers where he won two Western Hockey League titles.
Desjardins has shown smarts with the Canucks as he has unleashed their offensive skill while making the locker room harmonious after last year’s tumult under Tortorella. Desjardins has proven to be the perfect remedy to get the Canucks back on pace for a run at the Pacific title which they previously won for three straight years from 2010 through 2012.
Twin Killings
Twin brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin in particular have responded well to Desjardins coaching style as the top two scorers on the Canucks. LW Daniel had seven goals and 19 assists with a +6 while C Henrik had six goals and 20 assists with a +7. After being told to block shots under Tortorella last year the twins have returned to being highly productive players with Desjardins.
Miller Time
Veteran goaltender Ryan Miller has proven to be an outstanding acquisition as he won 16 out of his first 21 games with a 2.60 goals against average and three shutouts. Miller has plenty to prove after failing to deliver a Stanley Cup to the St. Louis Blues last year and is playing with extra motivation as a result.
Although defense remains a long term concern the Canucks are clearly back on track in a Pacific Division that will be four month brawl for playoffs spots.
