Canucks to spend Hockey Day in Canada in the Centre of the Universe

Any way you slice it the Vancouver Canucks are on a roll.  With 7 wins in their last 8 games, the Canucks have put themselves in a pretty good position, if they can continue to play well for the remainder of the year. 

It’s pretty clear what the difference has been during this hot streak as compared to the previous 8 game winless streak before that. The biggest difference has been offense. 

In the last 7 wins the Canucks have managed to score 34 goals (almost 5 goals per game).  Compare that with only 22 goals being scored in the previous 8 games and you see why the Canucks are moving up in the standings.  The offense has definitely come to life. While big names have been putting up the numbers they are expected to as of late, it seems that the goals are coming from unlikely sources who seem to be stepping up whenever they are needed.

Last night the Canucks beat the Ottawa Senators by a 5-2 score.  It was the first game of a 3 game swing through Eastern Canada. 

The Canucks will head from the Nation’s Capital to the Ontario Capital to play the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of Hockey Day in Canada. 

Hockey fans will be treated to 10 straight hours of hockey coverage beginning at noon Pacific time with the Senators in Montreal to face the Habs.  The Canucks and Leafs are next and Hockey Day in Canada will end with the Battle of Alberta as the Flames travel into Edmonton to take on the Oilers.

This will be the first time that Mats Sundin will be playing in front of the Toronto crowd, wearing another team’s uniform in 14 years. It should be interesting to see the crowd reaction he will get. His teammate Kyle Wellwood will also be playing in Toronto for the first time since being released. I think it is safe to say that the fans will be “booing” the 25 year old offensive specialist. The reaction to Sundin however, not so cut and dry. He was a long time fan favourite, face of the franchise and former Captain.

I for one will be looking forward to this matchup.