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.