The deficit is dauntingly steep, but not unclimbable. The Vancouver Canucks are five points out, and there are a bunch of teams between them and where they need to go.
They’ll need some luck, for sure. And some help from opponents. But with a little less determination and execution and very little goaltending, the Canucks could still finish last in the National Hockey League.
After four months and 52 games, five points is all that separates the Canucks from the top ticket in the draft lottery and the chance to select Auston Matthews or another foundational prospect from the five or six who headline the 2016 entry draft.