October was spooky enough for the Vancouver Canucks, and November could get a whole lot worse.

After an opening month that saw them finish with a 6-6 record amidst a plethora of injuries to key players, the Canucks are gearing up for what could go down as the toughest month of their season. And of course, they’ll do it while still missing a number of key players, at least to begin the month. The good news is, the Canucks’ November schedule doesn’t really reach gauntlet status until next week.

Before that, the Canucks will take on the 5-6-2 Nashville Predators on Monday night before returning home to take on the better-than-expected-but-still-not-great Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. They’ll then have something they haven’t had much of this year: Two consecutive days off at home, and a chance to practice. Finally.

After that though? Back-to-back games against the 7-5 Blue Jackets and ever-dangerous Colorado Avalanche. Two days later, when the Canucks will play their third game in four night, the Winnipeg Jets come to town. The Canucks then head back out on the road to take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 14th before heading to Florida for their annual road back-to-backs against the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning on the 16th and 17th, respectively. For those who have lost track: that’s six games over ten days against very formidable opponents.

The Canucks then return home on the 20th to take on the Dallas Stars, and huzzah! Another two consecutive days off at home before the Flames come into town on the 23rd. Two days later, the Canucks head out on their California road trip, with three games in four nights against the Ducks, Sharks, and Kings.

The intensity of the Canucks’ schedule in the middle of the month puts a great deal of importance on the club’s next three games against the Predators, Blackhawks, and Blue Jackets. And of course, getting bodies back will be extremely beneficial as well. Captain Quinn Hughes returns tonight when the Canucks take on the Predators, leaving the Canucks with seven players out of commission.