Mikael Samuelsson

This year’s version of the Vancouver Canucks again looks poised to make the long run to the Stanley Cup Finals.  And when one looks at how similar the 2011-12 version of the Canucks is to last year’s team that lost in Game 7 of the Finals to the Boston Bruins, it only makes sense that the Canucks are considered favourites in the NHL’s Western Conference.

Here are some numbers that might be a little frightening if you are a Canucks fan. Of course, if you are a fan of a rival team, they might be a source of glee. It's all in the perspective.

The Canucks, one of the hottest teams in the NHL as a little as ten days ago, have now dropped four games in a row (Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and now the Phoenix Coyotes).

All four of those losses were to playoff teams.

Ok, the less said about the debacle against Chicago the better. The Hawks jumped out front with seven unanswered goals before Mikael Samuelsson tucked in a Ryan Kesler rebound to break the shutout. The Canucks didn't even goon it when the Hawks were up by a touchdown, not a single fighting major or roughing minor. And that lack of response, either on the scoreboard or in the alley, is just sad.

Coming in to this season, the Vancouver Canucks have high expectations.

The highest, in fact, of all the Canadian teams.

Edmonton fans are just hoping that their team remains competitive for the entire season. Before a 4-0 start, fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs were hoping that 10th or better was a reality.

Now those who mock Leaf fans are making the "they're planning the parade" jokes.

The wait is finally over. 

On Saturday October 9, the Vancouver Canucks and LA Kings will open their 2010-2011 NHL seasons at Rogers Arena.  If you can’t start your season against a divisional rival, then kicking off the season against a recent playoff opponent is the next best thing.

Where there's extra time, there's a good time to be had.

So far this post-season, the original 16 combatants of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs have waged war into an extra period 12 times through 42 games.

Twelve times may seem staggering, but it's not the record. But it is close.

The record for the most overtime games in Round One of the playoffs came back in 1992-93, when teams played overtime 14 times through 44 games.