The Daily: Are the Canucks For Real ?; Nedeljkovic Skating Again

The Vancouver Canucks (9-2-1) are clearly the biggest surprise of the young NHL season. They have won four in a row and currently lead the NHL with a +30 goal differential. It’s not hard to find people in the hockey community who think the Canucks are playing better than the Vegas Golden Knights.

They beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 Monday night for their third win of the season against the Oilers.

Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson leads the NHL with 21 points, and he’s only one point ahead of teammate Quinn Hughes who leads all league defensemen in scoring with 20 points. Canucks forward Brock Boeser is second in the NHL with 10 goals.

Meanwhile, Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko owns a 1.61 goals-against average and .948 save percentage.

Red Wings Next Game

Coach Derek Lalonde’s Red Wings (7-4-1) are in New York today to play the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden. Injured players Robby Fabbri and Christian Fischer are expected back in the lineup. The Rangers (8-2-1) are leading the Metropolitan Division.  This is a significant test for the Red Wings whose scoring numbers are better than the Rangers. The Red Wings are sixth in the NHL with a 3.75 goals-per-game average. The Rangers’ scoring rate is 3.09 goals-per-game. The Rangers have blue chip defenseman Adam Fox on the LTIR.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Bob Duff’s Red Wings Prospect Report includes a player who didn’t make it.
• Oddsmakers becoming more optimistic about the Red Wings’ playoff hopes.
• Dylan Larkin has a slight injury and will be a game-time decision tonight against the New York Rangers.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: It was Jeremy Swayman who saved the Boston Bruins in the game against Dallas.

Chicago: Chicago defenseman Seth Jones: ‘We have to hold ourselves accountable.’ Chicago Blackhawks.

Montreal: Brendan Gallagher off to a surprisingly good start. Montreal Canadiens.

Pittsburgh: Former Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, now with the Penguins, isn’t traveling with the team. He’s on LTIR, but he is skating back in Pittsburgh. He’s not due to come off the injured list until Nov. 16. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: The San Jose Sharks are 0-10-1. General manager Mike Grier says: “This can’t go on much longer.”