Canucks top of division after big road trip

Like the first taste of spring after a brutal winter, the Vancouver Canucks have emerged as a legitimate contender, and the city is abuzz.

After winning five of seven games on a recent eastern road trip, this impressive streak is fueling fans across the city with an energy that hasn’t been felt in awhile.

The hockey club currently sits atop the NHL’s Pacific Division.

According to Sportsnet 650 host Bik Nizzar, there’s not much they could do now to ruin their playoff chances.

“They have to be exceptionally bad to be out of the playoffs,” Nizzar said.

“Right now the playoff line in the West is sitting around 90 points, so they need 14 more wins to get to 89. It just shows you with 38 or some games to go, they can get to the bar easily.”

But as people all over the city get fired up, Nizzar says it’s not just about getting into the playoffs anymore.

“Go get the number one seed, go be number one in the Pacific Division,” he said. “Every chance they have to get two points really matters.”

The team’s recent performances have really turned around what Nizzar says has historically been a problematic time for the Canucks, between Christmas and into the calendar new year.

“This really feels like the first time people have seen a new core develop,” he said.

Now, Nizzar is looking forward to Saturday when the Canucks will face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Rogers Arena.

“There’s been few games in the past six years that have been naturally exciting, but this one on Saturday is going to be fantastic,” he said. “I think they’re the pulse of the city.”

-With files from Catherine Garrett