Saturday, April 16, 2011

Who Needs Triplets, Just One Hansen works In Vancouver


The dude is on a tear right now. He just can't be stopped. Not only scoring, but just hitting everyone, killing penalties, and just being a straight up beast. He even cleared the puck late in the game when Crawford had been pulled, but did it just enough so it didn't pass the goal-line. Someone needed to step up to try to replace Manny and Raffi, through the first two games its been Jannik.

Daniel Sedin felt left out so he chipped in with a couple goals. Couple of beauties too, not to mention the assist he had on Hansen's goal in the first to open the scoring. He had another great opportunity in the first on a two on none with his brother, but Henrik was unable to finish. He should have gone five-hole, but meh what are you gonna do.

I was a little worried when I heard Samuelson was out with the flu. Cody Hodgson filled in, and was not that bad. He did finish minus one, but chipped in with an assist. I think that minus one was due mainly to the team trying to sit on their lead. Luongo played alright, but the defense needs to tighten up a bit. I mean when Ben Smith gets two goals, something is not right. It will be interesting to see how Game 3 goes in Chicago. 


Thursday, April 14, 2011

Game One In The Books


Not a bad way to open the playoffs. If only someone had predicted Chris Higgins would have a big game...I did if you follow Nucks on Twitter. Not a bad way to get a playoff win. Scoring from your third line, your fourth line is hitting everything that moves and solid play in net. Hansen's goal was just awesome. Nice little poke out to center and he was off to the races.

In my previous post I said the Canucks need to forget about history, and even have a short memory for the current playoffs. That goes for winning as well. You can't dwell on losses, and you sure as Hell can't dwell on wins. Once you get comfortable, you start to slip. The Canucks looked focused though, and I think they know not to get caught up in the small things

Roberto Luongo was stellar in net. I think playing the Blackhawks in the first round is helping him. In the past it had been after first round victories, so the pressure was building. This time around, its early, no pressure, just play. He looked loose, but still focused as well, if that makes sense. I don't want to jump to any conclusions until I see him play away from Rogers Arena.

On a separate note I watched the Red Wings and the Phoenix Jets in the first game last night on Versus here in the U.S. Good game, Detroit did what they do most the time, which is win. Then the Rangers Capitals finish was broadcast since it was not yet 10 p.m. EST. Well Ovechkin decided to tie the game late in the third and it went to overtime. So what did the NHL do? They left it on the overtime game, even though it was on the Center Ice Package, and the defending Stanley Cup Champs were playing the overall number one team in the playoffs. Yeah that makes sense.

I know playoff hockey is fun to watch. But if I am shelling out $125 for the Center Ice Package, that advertises I can see EVERY NHL game, then they better deliver, and they didn't. When there is poor management the people under that manager are affected. This goes for every organization big and small. The NHL is on a nothing network in the U.S. and can't even put the number one team on television in the U.S. Great job Gary, you deserve a contract extension.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

And, Here, We Go!


Yeah its an old logo, but hey this post is about two days too late. Anyway it begins tonight. Third straight years these two teams will face each other. And I think I speak for every Canucks fan when I say I want it to end a little different this time. We know the history, but its just that, HISTORY. Tonight starts a new playoff. This team has to look forward not backward.

Canucks of course are missing Manny Malhotra and Raffi Torres. This will be a big hit to the third line. Although the fill ins have been good (Tambellini, Lapierre, Higgins, Samuelson, and whoever else Alain was plugging in there), but Torres return in Game 3 will be nice. The Blue Line is essentially back to normal. I am very interested to see how Christian Ehrhoff does. He was the only starting member of the Defense that stayed healthy most of the year playing in 79 regular games.

The Blackhawks have a rookie goalie going in net, again. Cory Crawford should be Chicago's MVP this year, essentially doing what Niemi did last year: filling in for an over-paid, under-performing veteran (Huet). Although, Marty Turco is hardly making the ridiculous amount Huet is being paid still, even though Chocago pawned him off on some European team.

I said it before, but the Canucks have to remember what happened the last two years in history. Its in the past so they have to put it behind them. As much as I want to see how Ehrhoff and the third line plays, my number one player to watch is Roberto Luongo. He has to perform for this team to get anywhere. The Canucks have to remember to have a very short memory throughout these playoffs as well. The 2009-2010 Philadelphia Flyers had a very short memory, worked out well for them.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Playoffs, Line-up And What To Watch For



So for the third straight year, the Canucks are facing the Balckhawks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This time in the opening round, breaking the streak of second round meetings. Chicago backed into the playoffs, after Dallas's lost to Minnesota negated their loss to Detroit. Anything can happen in the playoffs though. All it takes is a few lucky bounces and a hot goalie and everything can change.

Chicago is a very different team then last year. They lost a majority of their role players (I am sure we are all sad to see this idiot not in a Chicago jersey anymore), as well as both goalies from last year. This was mainly due to outstanding cap management, which the new front office regime has continued. But we all know how the rules seems to change in the playoffs. If any of you watched the Wings-Blackhawks yesterday we got a taste of it. Two blatant interference calls and a high stick on Franzen, that drew blood, and not one call. Then Chicago gets a Power Play with three minutes left in the game. Pure coincidence I am sure.

The Canucks will not be immune to this. Gary loves this crap. Take away the game from the talented players and allow goalie interference and hack play, because that's what everyone wants to see, right Gary? Just because Byfuglien isn't there doesn't mean they aren't going to get another big, dumb talentless hack to interfere with Luongo. My guess is Tomas Kopecky. The guy is pretty much useless otherwise. They have to keep the front of the net clear if they want to win.

Its going to be tough not having the services of Malhotra and Torres (at least for the first two games) in this series. I do like we have an instigator, Lapierre, to after them now too. Higgins and Hansen will have to pick up the slack. Daniel and Henrik have to keep their heads in the game as well. We don't need any stupid penalties like Henrik's slash in the Calgary game on Saturday. They are the much better team this year, however, Canucks in six.