The "Models of Inconsistency" return home to dance with the Stars tonight
Both the Stars and Canucks are coming off disappointing losses. The Stars played catch up against the Oilers last night but failed 4-1. Coach Dave Tippett called it a "slap in the face to his team." He singled out Marty Turco for letting in 2 soft goals.
When the Canucks lost 2-1 in a shootout to the Thrashers a couple nights ago, he called out Wellwood, Raymond and Bernier for lack of production. There is no problems with the Sedins right now. From Canucks.com:
Daniel Sedin, who leads Vancouver with 19 goals and 41 points, had a goal and two assists against Atlanta, and has two goals and four assists over the last four games.The Twins are rolling, but are going to need some help, and quick. The Canucks, most of the time, have been continuing a win one - lose one trend lately. They have not won back to back games since beating the Oilers and Panthers in mid-December. That was the only time in over a month that they have done that.
Henrik Sedin, who registered two goals and an assist on Friday, has scored three times with four assists during a four-game point streak.
The Stars have been better than Vancouver in recent weeks. The have 5 wins in their last 8, yet you can see their inconsistency issues as well in December and beyond. They aren't missing Sean Avery, as they have played better without him. But the loss of captain Brendan Morrow long term does hurt. Yeah, we know what it's like.
MISC
- The Canucks are 6th best in the NHL in goals against average per game. Goaltending is not the issue here lately, scoring is. The Stars are near the bottom on the League in goals against.
- Both teams have lackluster power plays.
- The Canucks' penalty kill efficiency is much better than the Stars'. The Stars are in the NHL basement in that category. Shocking, considering they used to be a model of defense.
- Keep an eye on Brad Richards, who has 4 goals and 13 points in his last 8 games.
- The Stars' plane broke down in Edmonton last night as it was around -30 celsius there. I guess they flew in today. Advantage: Vancouver? We'll see.
OHLUND WILL PLAY / JOHNSON AND SANFORD CLOSE / LUONGO SLOWLY MAKING PROGRESS / SUNDIN NEEDS A COUPLE OF TEAM PRACTICES AND SHOULD BE READY SOON / LABARBERA TO PLAY TONIGHT
more on those stories at Canucks.com.
I think we can take this one. Let's see how the trio of futility responds to AV's dissing.
GAME TIME: 7:00 PST
TV: CANUCKS PPV (Oh geez. I'm coughing up the dough to watch this game, so if anyone wants to come over and watch this game, call me at 847-1210. Pizza and booze is NOT on me however. )
Canucks.com live blog is in effect.
Tech Tags: Canucks Stars Game+preview January+4+2009
Labels: Canucks Stars Preview
14 Comments:
No Brumstrom, No Morrow, No Zubov.
No Problems for the Canucks tonight. 5-1 for the boys in Blue.
It's the same old story with the secondary (tertiary?) scoring. AV can criticize the third line all he wants, but Pavol Demitra needs to step it up. Sure, he had two assists against the Thrashers, but neither one of them was much of an assist. This guy is getting a lot of money and he's supposed to put the puck in the net.
Wellwood, Raymond, Bernier... these guys weren't expected to pot 30 goals (with the exception of Bernier were they expected to even get ten?). It's good to call them out in order to get better effort from them, but we'll never see 'em turn into snipers. Kesler and Burrows on the other hand...
Alex is on pace for 17 goals. I was hoping for more like 25. Kes is looking at about the same (on pace for 18-19). Was I setting my sights too high by thinking they'd both take the leap to the next level? Though I guess neither one of them gets any PP time.
Kesler and Burrows are generating chances and they are also the checking line.
Guys like Bernier, Woody and Raymond are scorers, not checkers. To expect 30-40 points from each of them is fair.
Even Demitra, in all his floating glory is generating chances. But yeah, it would be great to see him bag some.
BTW, 5-1??? I think these teams have beaten eachother by 1 goal for the past 8 straight games.
3-2 Canucks
You should just buy a 45 inch screen laptop and watch the game online for free :-)
I guess I'll come over, but if you aren't paying for booze what's my motivation? There had better be door prizes.
I think it's going to be a blowout because Turco has shat the bed all year, the Stars are playing the tail end of back-to-back games, and the Stars are missing three top players.
Maybe.... but I disagree anyways. Turco has been better recently and the Stars as a group have been playing better defensively.
Don't underestimate Turco. He was just called out by Tippett.
OK, I change my prediction to 2-1 Canucks.
You can't change your prediction, ya jagoff! Hahaha.
I reserve the right to change my prediction after the first period.
I'll come over and cover the booze if you cover airfare...
Temujin, how can I snag this game online in good enough quality to bother hooking up my computer to the TV as a second monitor. And can I get it outside of US/Canada?
Someone at Justin.tv will stream the game, and normally at high quality.
If not, be sure to check out:
http://atdhe.net/live-tv-2.php?i=582
Usually the Canuck game is streamed at http://www.justin.tv/mistersexy
"Mistersexy" being the name of the channel admin, not anything filthy... :-)
FYI, The Justin.tv link is here:
http://www.justin.tv/sportlove
It's the Dallas Stars feed but oh well :-) Seems like good quality to me
Who scores the first goal? Wellwood and his line that was bagged on by AV! haha
Bugger, Modano is still flyin. How has the game been? I tuned in and Modano scored 30 seconds later.
Wellwood scorin is great, I fear that he will be swept away at the first extended slump though. Guy isnt gettin any respect.
Canucks are fading a bit after 2.
Wellwood's work ethic has fairly been questioned. He needs to be more consistent.
Not playin well, but gettin 4 of 6 points in the last 3 games is okay. I am worried though, it seems like Van is goin into last years mindset again.
I think Sundin cant come soon enough...
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