Help is on the way for the Canucks, but it's not as if they're desperate for reinforcements.
With seven wins in their last 10 games, an injury-riddled Vancouver team has moved to eighth overall in a tight Western Conference with 20 points, just two behind the fourth-place L.A. Kings.
And with word that Daniel Sedin (foot), Jannik Hansen (hand) and Roberto Luongo (rib) possibly returning this week, the Canucks may challenge Colorado for the division lead with two of their next four games against the Avalanche.
Despite having lost 93 man-games to injuries so far, the Canucks (10-8) are finding ways to win with defensive, bland hockey.
Over the last four games, Vancouver has only allowed five goals, due to both Andrew Raycroft's and Cory Schneider's solid goaltending and to coach Alain Vigneault's defence-first philosophy.
The D-first focus has also helped improve the penalty kill, which moved up to 17th overall after the Canucks killed off 14 straight shorthanded situations before allowing a Brendan Morrow power-play tally in a 2-1 loss to Dallas on Friday.
With their makeshift forward lines also contributing when needed -- with 13 goals in the last four games -- the Canucks are getting it done without their top forward and goaltender.
And as long as Vancouver keeps piling on the wins, don't expect the on-ice mindset to change just yet, even when the injured bodies start returning to the lineup.
