For the fourth straight season and the fifth time in six years, the Vancouver Canucks will miss the Stanley Cup playoffs. Nevertheless, there are signs this rebuilding club could be finally heading in the right direction.
Through most of the first half, they were in contention for a playoff spot. Their 78 points (in 79 games) are the highest since reaching 101 points in 2014-15. They’re also sitting fifth in the Pacific Division, their highest placement since ’14-’15.
Rookie Elias Petterson is expected to become the first Canuck to win the Calder Memorial Trophy since Pavel Bure.