The Vancouver Canucks can take some solace in the fact that last night's dispiriting loss, a 7-3 drubbing at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs, occurred all the way on the other side of the continent.

Even a few short steps west of the Laurentian Plateau would be enough to bring the Canucks within earshot of the baying horde that awaits them on the other side of this six-game road trip. They want their pound of flesh, and the executioner's axe is already hanging high, casting an ominous shadow on Saturday night's nationally televised rematch with the dreaded Maple Leafs.

It's not just that the Canucks are losing. It's that last night's loss marks three straight in which they'd surrendered five or more goals; a feat they've achieved in eight of their 14 games.

Those January and February los