It's Okay to be Optimistic

I understand some Canucks fans are wary of the playoffs: with only two Stanley Cup Final appearances in the team's 40 year existence and no victories, most Canucks fans have a pessimistic outlook, just waiting for something to go wrong. And certainly things have gone wrong in the past. We've seen a dream playoff run ended by a goal post. We've seen an Art Ross trophy and a division championship choked away. We've seen Nicklas Lidstrom score from center. We've see Luongo lose focus. We've seen them lose in the second round to the Blackhawks. Twice. In a row. And that's just recent history.

So I get it, I really do. For many years the pessimism has been a realistic and fair reaction to the performance and history of the team. So I want to let you know, because it's completel atypical and likely goes against everything you've ever believed about the Canucks: it's okay to be optimistic.

It's okay to think this could be it, they could really do it this time, or this is our year. It's okay. Yes, it's okay to say "this is our year." It's optimism. It's okay.

And it's not misplaced optimism. Sure, the Canucks might not win the Cup this year and that will be disappointing, but there's no need to expect it or, as some fans appear to be doing, accepting it as an inevitability. We are witnessing the greatest regular season in Canucks history. They have already broken team records in points and wins. They have already locked up first place in the Western Conference. With a win tonight and a loss by the Flyers, the Canucks could have the President's Trophy secured before any other team in the West has nailed down a playoff spot.

The Canucks are first in goals, first in goals against, first in powerplay percentage, first in penalty kill percentage, and first in faceoff percentage. They also have in their employ the league leader in points, two of the top five goalscorers, and three of the top ten leaders in plus/minus. Their starting goaltender is top-five in the NHL in save percentage, goals against average, and wins. Their backup goaltender has almost identical stats, with just a slightly better save percentage and winning percentage.

They haven't lost in regulation to the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks, the two teams immediately below them in the standings. They haven't lost 4 games in a row in regulation all season. They haven't had their top-six defensemen on the ice at the same time all year and they just keep winning.

Look, I'm not trying to cheerlead. I'm not trying to pump up the bandwagon. I'm not trying to be a fanboy. I'm just giving you permission: be optimistic. Embrace it. Keep calm and be optimistic. Really, it's okay.

It's okay.

Staying Positive

Every hockey team has its ups and downs. Passionate fans often have difficulty staying positive in the face of extreme suckage on the ice, but your emotional health depends on your ability to always see the bright side. If something you have no control over, like the performance of your hockey team, has the ability to get you depressed, then you're going to have all sorts of issues. Fortunately, we at Pass it to Bulis are here to help you through the tough times with some reasons to stay positive, no matter who you root for.

New Jersey: Doing their part to prevent the Boston Bruins from becoming too powerful by actively blocking them from getting the number 1 pick.

Buffalo: Despite Miller's slow start, have not had a single member of their media suggest there's a goaltending controversy. Indeed, Miller's looking to dispel Thomas's "Vezina curse" of immediately being displaced by the backup.

Edmonton: This time, their GM refuses to cave when their highest-paid D-man demands a trade.

Florida: Canucks trade rumors have quieted down, so odds are they're not about to be screwed again anytime soon.

Anaheim: Scott Niedermayer can only realistically retire once.

Ottawa: No longer have to deal with a star goaltender showing up late to practice, getting into fights, or playing for the team.

Phoenix: At 24th in the league, are finally living up to the expectations set by fans and media.

NY Islanders: With Streit and Okposo, have new up-and-coming stars to suffer long term injury, taking pressure off of Rick DiPietro.

Minnesota: Pierre-Marc Bouchard's impending return may finally fill the gap Gaborik left as the offensive spark who plays beautifully for 30 games every season.

Carolina: I just traded Cam Ward from my fantasy team, so he's likely to start recording a shutout every other game.

Vancouver: According to several sources, October is officially over.

Toronto: Thanks to New Jersey, it's unlikely that they traded away the 1st overall pick.

NY Rangers: Sean Avery's self-esteem apparently uninjured after vicious attack by James Wisniewski.

San Jose: Likely to succeed so long as coach continually reminds the team that the playoffs are months away.

Atlanta: Will likely pick up Jarome Iginla and PK Subban at the deadline.

Calgary: Daryl Sutter can't possibly last much longer.

Columbus: Steve Mason has returned to the form that made him the subject of so much discussion last season.

Boston: As long as Tim Thomas continues to allow less than a goal per game, are likely to make the playoffs this season.

Pittsburgh: Marc-Andre Fleury can't keep playing like this forever. Eventually Bylsma will just kill him.

Colorado: Odds of losing to San Jose in the playoffs are steadily decreasing.

Philadelphia: Mike Richards' intangibles are more valuable to the team right now than that goal he scored.

Nashville: Failing power-play more in character for a team that believes in hard-fought wins and harder-fought losses.

Detroit: Teams employing this many senior citizens may be eligible for a tax break.

Washington: It's the regular season, when their game really works.

St. Louis: Jaroslav Halak is a huge upgrade over their last backstop, Chris Mason's beard.

Chicago: "Stanley Cup hangover" made the long list of hangovers Patrick Kane currently suffers from.

Montreal: If the team continues this way, fans can look forward to being disappointed in playoffs, rather than just amazed they qualified.

Tampa Bay: If they continue to score crazily while allowing 3.00 goals per game, they may be this season's Washington Capitals.

Los Angeles: Will be real Cup contenders so long as Jarret Stoll remains among the league's top scorers.