THE ROUNDUP- Nov 14/18: They Are Who We Thought They Are

CANUCKS NEWS: No one can blame you for getting excited. Really. The way they’re playing, offensively at least is far more entertaining than we’ve seen in a long while. And this isn’t to day in any way, shape or form that they’re not going to be better. But this team’s improvements are far outweighed by the same issues that have plagued them in seasons past: the defence is embarrassingly bad. And until they change a number of pieces here, and get better defensive support from the forward group, this team ain’t going nowhere. Don’t let their current standings fool you. This team could still very well be in the mix for Jack Hughes when it’s all said and done, and if they’re close they should look at making a trade to make sure they get that first overall pick to draft him at home to play with brother Quinn.

It sounds negative, but really it’s not. It is realistic. They’re assembling the pieces. Some are coming along better than others. But until we’ve got a defensive core that doesn’t bleed chances the way they do, it’s going to be more of nights like this. Patience.

That’s not to say the Islanders weren’t deserving of the win last night, but when you get bounces and officiating going your way like they did last night, that hill can look much larger than it is. Anyway, there’s one more game on this trip, and then it’s home for two before a California swing, and two more to finish at home. There’s some tough games in here, and you shouldn’t be surprised if they’re on the outside looking in to start December.

Here’s your morning reading: Alex Edler’s agent was speaking with Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwal about the pending free agent’s status this morning...

Post game wrap from The Province... And more from Ben Kuzma here... Credit where credit is due: he may not be perfect, but Eric Gudbranson’s playing the best hockey of his time with the Canucks right now... JPat’s 5 Takeaways from last night... The Athletties on what the hell is up with the scheduling this season, and why some are wrong on Goldobin...

AROUND THE NHL: Yeah, there’s still a lot of hockey to be played, but it’s a bit shocking to see the Pittsburgh Penguins where they are in the standings right now. And the hits keep coming, as they dropped a 4-2 decision to the last place team in the East, the New Jersey Devils. The Devils got a 4 point night from Taylor Hall en route to the victory...

Evgenii Davidov’s 2nd period goal stood up as the winner as the Panthers beat the Flyers 2-1. Mike Hoffman recorded another point, he’s now hit the scoresheet in 13 straight games, a franchise record. Roberto Luongo got the win, his 4th straight.

Those damn Sabres did it again, this time they got goals from Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner as they beat the league leading Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1...

Arby’s might be regretting their decision to make getting free Curly Fries easier. Originally the promotion was for any player getting 3 or more goals. Since that wasn’t happening they changed it to the team scoring 3 or more and well, I think that’s 8 games in a row now, the most recent being last night’s 6-1 stomping of the Arizona Coyotes.

Cheapshot artiste Tom Wilson returned to the lineup after having his suspension reduced and proceeded to score whilst running Devan Dubnyk because he’s obviously learned his lesson. He scored and was given a goaltender interference penalty because this league is just so f’ing stupid. Oh, and the Caps won 5-2.

Les Canadiens will be in Vancouver on Saturday (note the sucking up to Eastern fans start time), and they kicked off their Western Canadian swing getting stomped 6-2 by the Oilers...

Speaking of stompings, the Leafs laid a beating on Willie D’s boyz, cruising to a 5-1 win in LA...

And the Sharks took over 1st in the Pacific in a 5-4 win over Nashville. Joe Thornton’s GWG was the 400th goal of his NHL career. Congrats, douchebag.