About Last Night: November 2, 2015 vs Philadelphia

(Virtanen after his first NHL goal)

This was about as complete a game as you can get. I know the Flyers aren't exactly the best team in the league, but this is what the Canucks should be doing consistently with teams in the Flyers position. Dominate possession and chances, and generally dictate play. Jake Virtanen could have scored about six times (at least it felt that way) and Bo Horvat continues to look incredible.

Jannik Hansen's goal was such a nice move, which can be frustrating. Again, I know its the Flyers, but every now and then he shows some really smart play, and I just wish he could be more consistent. A great feed from Horvat, who waited for the defenceman to make the first move, then made a great pass to Hansen, who chose to hold it rather than just throw it at the net. It looked smooth and was created from a turnover, can't argue with that.

The tying goal didn't even make me mad, I was too impressed. Claude Giroux put on a clinic with that goal. Even though he was smaller than the defender, which is almost always the case, he got position, used his strength and made an incredible move. His quickness still amazes me, but I guess it shouldn't since he consistently puts up great numbers on below average teams.

I thought Alex Burrows played the pest role great. Did the little things to unnerve the opposition but nothing major to hurt the team. Chris Tanev made a great move pinching in and taking advantage of a defensive lapse in the third, and Ben Hutton continued to look good. Virtanen finally got that first NHL goal after a lot of chances, on a great rush with Burrows, Nice back hand, and subsequent celebration.   

Hansen almost notched another goal, as did Virtanen. Matt Bartkowski got the empty-netter for his second of the year, after Radim Vrbata decided to hold the puck and look for a more sure thing, which was Bartkowski sneaking into the offensive zone. Ryan Miller played well, with a few helpers from the post, but also some great saves, which capped off a great night: Virtanen's first NHL goal, Henrik Sedin secured his 1,000th NHL point and Burrows played in his 700th NHL game. However, I saved the best for last.

Horvat continues to show flashes of a superstar. His goal go-ahead, wrap-around goal in the second showcased his strength, and also came after he won the face off. His setup for the Hansen goal was a great example of patience and waiting for the other guy to blink. Now I'm not going to demand we trade the Sedins, well not for this reason, but he has shown some real brilliance. He has two goals and two assists in 12 games, so not setting the world on fire, but he is 20 years old, and is showing great promise. I think its safe to say he is my new Canucks man-crush. 

About Last Night: October 29, 2015 vs Dallas

(How I feel as of late)

Two goal lead with just under 10 minutes left in the third, and lost in OT. Sound familiar? I am almost happy I missed the last few game recaps, because it would be insanely repetitive at this point. Its not so much whats happening so much as how its being received by management, on and off the ice.

Whats the quote, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result." Well at this point Willie Desjardins is insane. Every game he stops playing the younger guys in the 3rd period to hold onto a lead and every time they lose. So what's Willie's solution? Keep limiting young guy's minutes and sit on a lead in the third AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED. Then in the post-game interview he says "Oh well they had some chances." Apparently he missed Vrbata and Weber's chances in the 3rd, or perhaps Burrows semi-breakaway chance. My problem is not with what's happening, my problem is with how its being received.

I realize Horvat, Gaunce, and McCann were all negatives last night, but here's a thought Willie, you're blowing leads anyway, so whats the worst that can happen? You play the young guys more in the 3rd and you blow the lead?! Oh wait, you're doing that every game already. It's not just Willie either, I am sick and tired of hearing the on-ice "leaders" saying "Oh we played real good." Oh really Daniel? Continually shitting the bed in the 3rd period is "playing real good" in your mind? Weird, your definition of "good" seems to be different from everyone else's, but thats what the Sedins have been their entire time here: just good enough works!

I am sick and tired of hearing "We played good," and "Well we got a point," out of guys who are supposed to be leaders. If we lost out on a large bid at work at the last second because of a massive brain fart by someone, then the team leader told us all "Well at least we tried," he would get fired on the spot. This whole attitude of "Well we continue to shit the bed, but at least we got a point," has been by far the most frustrating time for me as a Canucks fan. We're mired in the "Just be good enough" era of Canucks Hockey, and it fucking sucks.

About Last Night: October 18, 2015 vs Edmonton

If the last game was frustrating, this was down right rage inducing. Despite "at least still getting a point," which is an attitude I am growing tired of, the result was they lost to an inferior team. The loss to the Blues two days ago was rough, at least the Blues have been a consistent playoff team the last few years. This was the Oilers, you know, the team that has consistently gotten a top five pick for about the last decade. However, the way the Canucks played they didn't even deserve a point.

This game wasn't so much about the lack of defence, but rather the utter waste of chance after chance. Two breakaways which were not capitalized on, with both Sedins not scoring on the same one. I will get into this later, as they will be the first entry for my "Good Cop, Bad Cop," recurring entries, but you are the highest paid guy on the team, and wear an "A" you HAVE to bury that puck, zero excuses. 

One thing which has baffled me early in this young season is the shuffling of lines. Seems like a guy will have a decent game, then next game they are out, or lines are changed. I get you're trying to figure out who plays best with who, but isn't that what the preseason is for Willie? Radim Vrbata, who is still without a goal, seems to have new line-mates every game. From what I hear consistency helps with a guy in a slump, especially six games into the season.

My point is this game was winnable, very winnable, but yet again we were subjected to scoring chances being as good as goals, at least thats the way it seems from the postgame show. Also, while I am rambling here, at about 9:20 of that video we get the "Hey did you know your record against the Oilers????" Really, this is sports "journalism" now? Miller has been in the league since my old ass was still in college, and the Oilers have been down for a good majority of that time, so to bring that up is so stupid.

I know I am being Debbie Downer right now, but this loss was inexcusable in my book, especially with the chances they had. When your highest paid duo can't score on a breakaway and a wide open net, this is a game you gave away, and if you're giving away games this early in the season, don't whine when you finish lower than you wanted to. *Ranting done*