VANCOUVER – You didn’t need jolly old St. Nicholas if you were anywhere near Bruce Boudreau at Christmas. The Vancouver Canucks ’ new coach spent the NHL holiday break in the mountains at Whistler – “I nearly fell down one” — where the Santa-like man from the north (Toronto) taped an ebullient Christmas message for fans promising to “kick some ass in 2022.” Players have reacted to their gregarious, energetic coach by going 6-0 since Boudreau replaced Travis Green three weeks ago. But, as Boudreau said in his social-media message: “6-0 might be OK, but 10-0 is better.” Boudreau’s optimism and positivity have been a panacea for the Canucks, who played themselves into a very dark place by starting the season 6-14-2. They won two of their last three games under Green, but Boudreau has been like rocket fuel to a team that was badly underperforming and needed positivity like a fish needs water. He had a lengthy meeting with players after Monday’s practice at Rogers Arena. The tractio...