Canucks run from October to November.

At 4-3-2, the Canucks haven't exactly come storming out of the gates over the first month of the year. Of course, we always hear about how this team is a collective slow starter (especially since Luongo came aboard), and this season seems no different so far. I figured that in this post we can do three things. First, I'd like to present some perspective by seeing if we actually are a traditional slow starter. Second, I'd like to review just briefly the month that was. Finally, we look for hope heading into the American month of the turkey.

Slow starters? Here are the recent October starts:

2010/11: 4-3-2
2009/10: 7-7-0
2008/09: 6-5-0
2007/08: 4-5-0
2006/07: 7-4-2

A couple of things come up when you look at these numbers. First, for me, is that we really don't tend to rack up overtime/shootout losses in October, which I like. Next, is that we don't really tend to bust out over the first month of the year. I'd say that the start to the 06/07 season was by far our best first month in recent memory, but we've never come out barn burning like all us fans would like. Of course, you know that we have been doing well to get to the playoffs after these recent starts, so I don't think there is anything to worry about this time around. 

How are we doing against our LSF rivals? Here are the LSF standings:

Jon's Hawks: 13 points
Andrew's Leafs: 11 points
Tommy's 'Nucks: 10 points
Brandon's Sabres: 7 points.

Who stands out as the best Canucks so far? Here are our three stars for the month: 

1. Daniel Sedin: 9 goals, 5 assists, 3 PP goals.

2. Henrik Sedin: 0 goals, 11 assists, 19 shots on goal.

3. Christian Ehrhoff: 2 goals, 4 assists, and a team leading +4.

If we pretend Luongo and Schneider are the same goalie, we see some pretty good numbers:

2.40 GAA and a .921 SV%.

What do we have to look forward to heading into November? How about some big stories that are on tap:

1. The return of Alex Burrows- My main man AB is set to return to action on November 2 against the Oilers. The boost that Burr will give to this team is HUGE. Just wait for it.

2. The return of Hammer- Dan Hamhuis will be returning from injury in the next game against the Devils. Boy, does the blue line need the help.

3. The return of Rypien- Come on. We all love the guy and his fourth line abilities. Sure, he made a mistake in Minnesota, but I'm stoked for his return on Saturday against Detroit.

4. The return of the LSF Rivalry Week: That's right my friends, much like last season, we are headed toward another HUGE LSF rivalry week, and I couldn't be more excited. My Canucks really kicked butt last year during this rivalry battle, and I surely hope it continues this year as well. The battles start on 11/13 when the Canucks play Toronto, continues on 11/15 when the Canucks face Buffalo, and wraps up on 11/20 as the Canucks face off against Chicago. It doesn't get any better than that.

I'll just finish by saying that the Canucks opening month to the season (by the way, I can't believe it's already over) wasn't perfect, but was still good enough for me. With that being said, I'm confident that November is going to be significantly better, and I'm really looking forward to it. 

Go Canucks Go!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē