Sunday, April 15, 2007

Canucks / Stars Game 3 Preview


What we talk about with our group is that you earn confidence," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "To earn it, you have to do little things in the game that show you're successful. Getting a win does that, but it's the things we do during the game that give us confidence, the way we play and how hard we compete. Those are the things that give you confidence and turn into momentum. That's the way our team has been all year. We've been down, we've dealt with a lot of adversity and find a way to battle back."
The Stars are flying high right now because:
-they stole home ice advantage away from us
-they responded after a disheartening loss in quadruple OT with a win in game 2.
-they played a complete game in game 2.
-they now have faith in Marty Turco as a goaltender.
-they have the momentum in the series right now.

Now let's take that momentum back. The Canucks are going to have to come out flying in Dallas and play defensively responsible at the same time. Is that possible for these guys? They are going to have to score first as well, and then settle into their game plan, the way Dallas did to them in game 2. I am becoming much too impressed with Dallas' work ethic now. If the Stars score first tomorrow, I am not liking our chances.
What I am gathering from Brendan Morrison and Trevor Linden's interviews yesterday is that the Canucks have differing opinions on what happened in game 2. Morrison thought the Canucks had a good chance and generated good scoring opportunities. Linden, who I agree with completely, mentioned that the Canucks have not kicked up their play a notch in the playoffs yet. That is concerning me, and I hope to see it erased today in Dallas.
At the very least, we will need a spit in the next two games.

No, Vancouver has not won in Dallas in 2 games this season. That means nothing right now.

The fact that Dallas has lost its last 4 home games in the playoffs means nothing right now.

If Sopel plays stupid again, it may be a good idea to insert Rory Fitzpatrick back into the lineup, as Isabella at Stick in Rink mentioned. Rory was terrific in game 1, but was a healthy scratch in game 2 because Soaps didn't drop anymore crackers.

My prediction:

The Canucks do score first and win the game 2-1. Naslund and Dan Sedin score for Vancouver. Zubov scores for Dallas.
Anyone else feeling confident? Let me know what you think will happen.

Game Time

6:30 PM Pacific Time on CBC.

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8 Comments:

At April 15, 2007 at 11:44 a.m. , Blogger Jenny said...

i'm saying 3-1 Canucks :D

i hope they win! :D

 
At April 15, 2007 at 2:31 p.m. , Blogger Temujin said...

Even if we lose tonight, it's not a huge deal... things could be worse.

We could be Calgary fans.

 
At April 15, 2007 at 2:54 p.m. , Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

Calgary just can't get their shit together can they? Maybe they'll win the next 2 at home and go on a roll. But I am losing faith in them.
And what the hell is up with Filpulla??? Is he the next Ferando Pisani? Jeeziz!

 
At April 15, 2007 at 3:58 p.m. , Anonymous Anonymous said...

One of my pet peeves is the whole "stealing home ice advantage" thing. You can't "steal" home ice. Try telling the Stars that they've stolen it if the series goes to game 7 and is played in Vancouver!

 
At April 15, 2007 at 4:32 p.m. , Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

Absolutely. It's such a game-to-game thing.

Holy crap, Colby Armstrong just nailed Patrick Eaves. Eaves got stretchered off. I can see this becoming a big deal.
It's time to eliminate the hard shoulder pads.

 
At April 15, 2007 at 4:46 p.m. , Blogger Temujin said...

It's time to eliminate the hard shoulder pads.

No kidding. If this was 1987 he would have woosily skated back to the bench and been good-to-go for his next shift.

I know everyone wants to be protected with good quality equipment, but yeesh! A hard plastic shoulder pad isn't much different that a stick when it's in the head :-(

 
At April 15, 2007 at 4:52 p.m. , Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

Well, Eaves is alright. He's talking to the docs in the back. But he does have a concussion.

It also goes back to the precautionary stretcher coming onto the ice for every head incident. It makes the scenario more solemn and/or concerning.

 
At April 15, 2007 at 6:05 p.m. , Blogger Temujin said...

Enter Round Two of the "expert panel" debates on TSN and Sportsnet over the "lack of respect amongst players" and "hits to the head".

I can see the line-up of former players wanting to discuss how it was "when they played" growing larger and larger as I type!

 

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Waiting For Stanley was created in June 2006.