Saturday, April 30, 2011

Seriously?


Alain is up for the Jack Adams? Really NHL? The guys with by far the best team, and barely got through the first round is up for coach of the year. "Great job Alain you did exactly what almost all the analysts said you would do, so you get nominated." How about Guy Boucher maybe? First year in the NHL, takes a bottom feeder to the fifth seed. Nah, thats not impressive.

The Canucks success has been despite this dude. His match-ups are terrible, and he never seems to know which line combinations to go with. The only argument that someone could make is all the defensive injuries. However, from everything I have heard, and seen, that is Mr. Bowness's area. 

So what are we honoring him for? Having the best team? Having the Jennings Trophy winning goalies? Having, for the second straight season, the Art Ross winner? I thought Mike Gillis being up for the GM Award was questionable. Not that he doesn't deserve it, but the Jack Adams Award for Alain is pretty ridiculous.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Canucks Win, Yet I Am Worried


Scared of this dude, and yes I realize what picture I posted. I Was scared of him in the regular season, and I am even more scared of him now. Pekka Rinne can steal a series. The guy is insane, and the worst part I don't even think he has caught fire yet. The Predators are a solid team, but Rinne is the sole reason they are here, and the soul reason they win.

He was insane last night. Stopping everything that came his way, well almost everything. This series will be all about goaltending, because thats the way Nashville plays. They hang around, depend on Rinne to keep them close, and then eek out a goal. Teams like this scare me, because if the aforementioned goalie gets hot, they are almost impossible to beat.

However, the Canucks looked good. They didn't look deterred by not capitalizing on chances, and kept pushing it. They played great defense, but not like thats an accomplishment against Nashville. Henrik and Daniel appeared to have realized they are in the playoffs, and the intensity level was up closer to where it should be. They have to play a tight game and try to minimize mistakes, because in this series they will be even more costly.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I Was Wrong, And I Am So Happy About It


First off, I was dead wrong. This team showed up on Tuesday night, well most of it, and they shook off the last three games and played the way they are capable of playing. Yes they almost blew it, but that was more the team, and mainly coaching (that will be later), and not Luongo. I was wrong, and I have never been happier.

Before I get into the Canucks, I have to say how impressed I was with Corey Crawford, especially in Game 7. That guy made some of the most ridiculous stops I have ever seen. He was definitely on his game, and no blame should be rested on his shoulders. As for those other overrated hacks, you guys shouldn't be sad, you were Vanilla Ice from the start, bunch a one-hit wonders man. Enjoy the eighth seed douche-bags, you'll be there for awhile.

As my boy Jim Hughson said "Its a great day for an exorcism!" That it was James. Talk about getting the monkey off your back. Got home in time to catch Luongo on PTI and he looked relaxed and focused as all Hell on the next round. He really got his focus back when he came in for Schneider in Chicago, even though he lost that game. After the series he had to come back and play that way was a great sign.

When the supposed "stars" of this team (and I use that term loosely) disappeared Burrows, Kesler and Raymond stepped up. They were hitting everything in a Blackhawks jersey and Kesler made some great passes, especially Burrows. When his team's back was against the wall he stepped up big time. Hopefully this will continue on, since the first line seems to not know the playoffs started.

As great as the game was last night the playoffs are only 25% over. The Canucks have to focus on the next round, and thats going to be tough when your star players feel no desire to pick up their play. They looked awful last night, any momentum the Canucks generated would be ground to a halt when they got on the ice. When you are being out-hustled by Mikael Samuelson, and you are supposed to be the leaders if this team, there is a huge problem.

The twins are not alone in the blame. Alain has proven time and time again in this series he is not a good coach. Most glaringly was last night by starting the second period with the Sedins line. That second line worked their asses off the entire first. They scored the goal, they hit everything they saw, and they fore-checked and back-checked like mad men. But Alain felt the two players who seem to not care they have been no-shows would be the better move.

The most glaring thing in my mind, from a series standpoint was the three game collapse. Yes Luongo did not look great, but the team in front of him just gave up, plain and simple. And yes it starts at the top with the Nyquil Twins, but the best players in that three game stretch were Chris Higgins, Max Lapierre and Jannik Hansen. Two of the three came over at the deadline and were not privy to Alain's coaching all season, and shockingly they didn't just crawl into the fetal position. Weird huh?

I was unlucky enough to watch the games on Versus here in the U.S. I missed seeing Burrows first goal because Versus felt seeing the last five minutes of a 5-2 game was more important. They also chose to interview Daniel after the game. Really Versus?! Interviewing one of the reasons this series went to seven games was the guy you choose to interview. I love this team, but when the two leading scorers the last two years in the NHL disappear in the playoffs, there is something wrong.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Where To Even Begin?!


So many things to consider here. Was it Henrik and Daniel's lackadaisical effort? The fact that the best Canucks on the ice were Lapierre and Higgins? Or, was it my personal favorite, having a 4 on 2 and not even getting a shot on net? Lets not forget the pre-game back-patting everyone did for Alain: Oh my God! Putting Schneider in net was a gutsy move!

Really?! Pulling the guy who gave up ten goals in two games is a gutsy move? How about trying to get your team up for winning ONE GAME! At this point that is a gutsy move, not making the obvious switch. All Alain has done has let his team completely give-up and coast after going up three games to zero. And all Canucks fans keep doing is give him a free pass. He had the NUMBER ONE team in the regular season, number one in goals scored and number three in goals against, and they choked it big time. 

Worst part is, it doesn't matter if they win game 7. If this is how they perform against an eight seed, how do you think they will perform against anyone in the second round?! This is a joke. His "stars" and I use that term very loosely, are just floating at every chance. The twins don't seem to realize they have to take their game up a notch. But why would they? They have just been coddled since being drafted. 

The thing that drove me nuts about tonight's game was Luongo came in and played well, and how was he rewarded? By the team in front of him doing what they have the last three games: completely giving up and not trying. Great job guys, your star goalie looks like he may be finally regaining some confidence, so you instill more by, giving up on him? Way to go. But who's fault is that? Can't be the "great" and "gutsy" coach you guys have. Not his fault his team looks lost, out of place, and lack motivation.