Canucks Reach 13

NHL teams

"Everyone is modest about the situation," Canuck defenseman Ed Jovanovski said. "We have a long way to go. We can step it up another notch. We'll have to come playoff time."

Canucks top line of Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison and Todd Bertuzzi continued their high-powered offense with five goals and seven assists.

"The last couple of games our line really hasn't generated a whole lot so we were a little frustrated," Morrison said. "We want to contribute every single night."

The Canucks are on top of the Northwest division and trail the Western Conference-leading Dallas Stars by only two points.

"I'm afraid to talk about who is the best team," Canuck captain Markus Naslund said. "It could be a different team every night. Consistency is the biggest key for us. I feel like we're a lot older, maturity-wise."

The Canucks are a team-record 21 games over .500 at the moment and it is looking more and more likely the team will start the playoffs on home ice for the first time since 1993.

"We've improved in a lot of areas -- things that on paper you don't see," veteran Trevor Linden said. "We're learning what it takes to win. You just know [each game] that you're going to be in position to win. It's a nice feeling."

The Canucks were coming off a successful four-game trip that ended in Edmonton on Saturday.

"In the past, a game like today after coming off a great road trip ... we definitely had problems," Defenseman Mattias Ohlund said. "We've definitely taken a step this year. It's a lot of fun. Winning and losing makes such a big difference."