The Stars (pretty much just Eriksson) Are Coming To BC Tonight.

Dallas comes into Rogers Arena tonight a little banged up. The Killers Bs (Benn, Barch, Burish) are all on injured reserve, and Brad Richards (aka 70% of their offense) didn't make the road trip, according to the guy who wants to kill Scotty Bowman, former Canucks coach Marc Crawford. Right now Dallas sits sixth in the West with 68 points, which isn't all that bad considering there is a log jam of teams with 68 points (LA, Anaheim, Calgary). However the injuries are definitely taking their toll, because in their last 10, the Stars are 2-7-1.

This seems like a good team for the Canucks to play right now, considering the state of the defense. Dallas is sliding fast, and the Canucks are back in the friendly confines of Rogers Arena. Also the other three times they have played the Stars this season they have only allowed one goal in each game, with the Canucks outscoring them 15-3. However, most of their regular defensemen were playing in those games. But there is hope...kind of. Sauve has looked good, Oberg has been solid, albeit in one game, and the patchwork has held, for now. Luongo and Schneider will definitely be tested over the next few weeks, but I think thats a good thing. If they can deal with the pressure now, it will help for the postseason.

Personally I am stoked for this game. First time I get to see the Canucks on Hockey Night in Canada since January due to moving last weekend and having no cable or internet access. Got some beers, pizza and my Kesler jersey ready to roll. Plus if Sammy's not worried, why should I be?

Trades Ramping Up

Geez with all the deals today, it would seem like the deadline was tomorrow, not in 10 days. Guess if you are really looking to load up before the playoff push you have to pull the trigger before a rival does. Obviously that was Boston's thinking: add Kaberle and Peverley, for Wheeler and Stuart. Not bad moves really, Kaberle is a free agent after this season, and Peverley has another year at $1.3 million. 

I can't wait to hear how these moves are just Brian Burke being a genius. TSN is going to be all over him: "He got a first round pick for Kaberle, nobody else could have got that!" So now the trade was Kessel, a first round, and conditional second round for Kaberle, 2 first rounders, and a second round. Guess what? Still an awful trade. But Kaberle seems happy about it. 

A Couple Things

I know the background makes it difficult to read some of the posts and I know the font color doesn't help any of that. Just started a new job, and still getting moved into my apartment, so these things WILL get worked out...I just don't know when. In the meantime I apologize for any problems.

Rinne...Errrrr...Predators Triumph

I have been to a game in Nashville, so I know those hillbillies are jumping around and celebrating like they just won the cup. They do every time a better team comes in and loses. Hey, a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. Plus Nashville aren't bottom feeders. Yeah they don't score a lot, but they don't allow many goals either, as they proved tonight.  

A few things I took away from this game: Henrik could have showed a little more effort on the backcheck on Erat's goal; after 14 years Nashville fans should be a little smarter and not call for a penalty every time one of their players dives falls; the Canucks looked sloppy on the rush; they can't get very far with half the Manitoba Moose defense; and they need to get more quality shots. All that being said, they ran into a goalie playing very well, who was angry from losing the night before. Rinne played very well stopping 35 of 36 shots, including some great stops with traffic in front. Plus those two goals at the end of the second were back-breakers.

There were some shining moments: Sauve's defensive prowess in the first preventing an almost sure goal; other than the end of the second, Luongo looked good (the Spaling goal wasn't all his fault); and it appears as if there could be some timely returns. 

Bieksa Out With Fractured Foot

I guess I spoke to soon when I said Bieksa was alright. He is out with a fractured foot. I think I speak for all Canucks fans when I say: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?! Before the season I criticized Mike Gillis for loading up on D, guess I should have criticized him for not getting enough. This is getting ridiculous.

Oberg Meets Canucks in Hillbilly Mecca

Evan Oberg is meeting the Canucks in Nashville today, as he was called up to plug the ever growing holes in the defense pairings. The Alberta native has played 34 games for Manitoba this year with 10 points. He last played for the big club in 2009-2010, playing in two games and finished with an even rating, with 0 points. Should be interesting to see him with more time for the 23 year old to prove himself in the NHL.

For the Predators, they are a surprising fourth place in the West with 68 points, albeit in a five-way tie. They are fairly good at home this year (13-5-7) and are 4-4-2 in their last 10 games, which is about as .500 as a team can be. They dropped an overtime decision to the Sharks last night at home, so they might be feeling like they were cheated out of a win.

They have the second lowest Goals Against Average (Canucks being first), with 2.32, but are 26th in Goals For with 2.54. This should help the Canucks injury depleted, and inexperienced defense tonight. That and their leading scorer is Shea Weber, a defenseman. The only problem might be Rinne, if he gets the start, but with the way all four lines have been contributing, it shouldn't be a problem.

Alberts Out 6-8 Weeks

Surgery on Andrew Alberts broken wrist was successful, but the Canucks will be without the services of the big defenceman for 6-8 weeks. Looks like we will be seeing a lot more of Yann Sauve, and Salo's return was very timely. However, this makes them four defencemen down with Edler, Ballard and Hamhuis still out. One would think Ryan Parent would be getting called up again as well. 

The Canucks have a nine point lead on the second place Red Wings, and a huge 17 point lead on the Flames who are second in the division and not currently in the playoff picture. Looking at the big picture, they even have a four point lead on Philadelphia for the overall points lead in the NHL. The division is pretty well sewn up, and this may actually be good in the long run, because they should start getting healthy right around playoff time. Of course I am just looking on the bright side though.

A Not So Wild Night in Minnesota

The Canucks haven't had much luck playing the Wild in Minnesota. In fact last time they did it was the Wild getting the upper hand, winning 4-0. Especially with Niklas Backstrom being on fire since his return from injury on January 19th, going 5-2-0 with a 1.42 GAA, .957 S%, and 2 SO. However, the Canucks have been money this year in the second game of back-to-backs, and they improved that record to 7-1-2. 

Manny Malhotra looked great all night, and was all over the place, nothing new there though. He scored the first goal just over 5 minutes in on the PP redirecting a Salo slap shot off a clean faceoff win. Then he pushed Spurgeon off the puck in the corner and was able to find Hansen in front in the second which was the eventual game winner. Kesler kept up his scoring, with a goal, albeit an empty-netter, but short-handed nonetheless. He also hit Sammy in front to put them up 3-1. The man is on a tear right now.

Clutterbuck scored the lone Wild goal on the PP, but showed his true colors by butt-ending Henrik late in the third. Classy move Cal, almost as classy as that chick wearing the Leopard fur coat behind the Minnesota bench. She looked like she should have been an extra in that bar scene in Goodfellas when Pesci stabbed that dude with a pen. 

Also Schneider was very solid in net (and is also sporting a sweet neck-beard), stopping 28 of 29 shots, getting just peppered in the third, with 13 saves! Geez what happened to the defense...oh yeah they are all hurt! In addition to Hamhuis and Ballard, Alberts broke his wrist last night. It was a little worrisome having Sauve in his first game, and Salo fresh off a major injury, but everybody stepped up. That being said I held my breathe when Bieksa took one off the shin halfway through the first. But this is what good teams do, they overcome injuries.

Which Set of Twins Would You Rather Have?

I have a friend, who is also an NHL blogger over at Nightmare on Helm Street, and we are both pretty big nerds when it comes to the EA NHL video-game franchise. So much so that we often discuss trades we make in the "Be A GM Mode," which I believe I have 7 going simultaneously at last count. Anyhow, about a month ago I made a trade of The Sedin Twins and a 2nd round pick for Detroit's Euro Twins (Datsyuk and Zetterberg). This got us both thinking, would we make this trade in real life. Obviously neither GM, Gillis or Holland, would make this trade. But I think it is definitely worth looking at:

Sedins: 114 GP 42G 99A 141 PTS

1.23 Points/Game

Euro Twins: 93GP 74G 105A 179PTS

1.92 Points/Game

The Euro Twins have scored more, but the Sedins are such a major part of the offense and are two years younger than Datsyuk, but the same age as Zetterberg. Plus, last year is proof when the Sedins are on, they score in bunches. Worth a thought though, what do you guys think?