Ronning4ever

Canucks: Staying Balanced

While bloggers galore attempt to understand what kind of team the Canucks are this season, I'd like to weigh in on a positive note that has been overlooked to date.

As many will attest to, the Canucks lacked 2 scoring lines last year. The 3rd line did well and the Sedin's did what they've been doing for 3 years, but the contributions from the other lines and the defense was less than stellar and less than necessary to make it into the playoffs.

This year things are looking much different. Sure their have been defensive lapses and goaltending question marks but consider the following outstanding bit of information:

The Canucks are tied for 3rd in goals for. Number of players in the top 50 of scoring?

Zero.

The Canucks have one of the most balanced score sheets in the league right now.

1st line: 24 points
2nd line: 18 points
3rd line: 26 points

The defense has been doing better as well. Mitchell had 12 and 11 points in 06/07 and 07/08. He has 5 points in 11 games so far. Edler and Salo also have 5. Bieska has 7 points in 8 games.

And this has been without consistency from their top line and without a bona fide scoring leader. If one of those gets signed/traded or or if the Sedins fire-it-up, look for an outstanding run at some point in the season.