Opposing teams including Oilers show disrespect to Vancouver Canucks, says analyst

And it's not only because of where they sit in the standings - 6th in the Pacific with a record of 6-6 - but in the opposition's game-plan against them.

Usually, when the opposition starts their back-up goalie against you, it's a pretty good indication of what they think about your team's offense specifically, and the entire team in general: We can beat you with our 2nd-best goalie.

The Canucks have seen the opposition's backup netminders in 6 of its 12 games so far this year, with a record of 3-3 in those games, while averaging only 2.83 goals per game. These are the games the team is expected to win if they hope to qualify for the post-season.

Against the other teams' number-1 goalies, Vancouver has fared even worse, averaging an abysmal 2.2 goals per game, ranking them 30th in the league, behind only the Rangers and Calgary Flames.

Coincidentally, Calgary is last in the Pacific, only 2 spots below the Canucks.

Yet, to score goals requires shooting pucks at the net, as often as you can. Going back to the start of last year, the Canucks rank 31st with 25.5 per game.

And in this year, they average 25.4 shots on net, or 29th in the league, while its 2.55 goals per game ranks Vancouver 28th in the NHL.

In contrast, the Edmonton Oilers have faced only 2 back-up goalies in 12 games thus far, and have scored 38 goals for in those 12 games. The Colorado Avalanche, who lead the Western Conference with 18 points, have scored 45 goals for.

Ironically, Vancouver's Kiefer Sherwood is tied for first in goals with nine. The second-most gals for Vancouver is from Brock Boeser with 4, and then just a trickle from the rest of the team.

Former-Oiler Evander Kane has 5 assists in 12 games played.