from Scott Burnside of ESPN,

With the Vancouver Canucks working their way through some early season ups and downs it would be easy to assume that netminder Ryan Miller -- signed to a three-year, $18 million deal in the offseason -- might also be working out some kinks in his new surroundings. Not so.

Whether the former Vezina Trophy winner's play is going somewhat under the radar or not, he is a key component to whatever early success the Canucks have enjoyed. He turned aside 20 of 22 shots in Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals to run his season record to an impressive 5-1. In the five victories Miller has allowed just nine goals.

For a Canucks team that underwent a significant offseason overhaul and has been no stranger to ongoing goaltending angst over the past two or three years, Miller's play is a key to getting back into the playoff discussion in the Western Conference.

read on for Custance on Chicago goaltender Scott Darling, LeBrun on the Canucks and Strang on Sharks/Ducks game last night.