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.

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 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.

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

Fan 590's Bob McCown saying Sundin will sign with Rangers this week **Updated** False says Barry **UPDATED**Barry talks with Hockeyexpressen

THE FAN 590's Bob McCown is reporting that former Toronto Maple Leafs' captain Mats Sundin has decided to join the New York Rangers. McCown's source, who has intimate knowledge of the situation, expects this decision to made public later this week. The folks at the CDC forum are saying that JP Barry has denied that claim, but no credible link to that denial is present.
Larry Brooks reported a couple days ago that

Sundin, who met with GM Glen Sather and selected members of the hockey department in New York this weekend, left the Garden with pals Henrik Lundqvist, Markus Naslund and Fred Sjostrom after watching Saturday's shootout victory over the Hurricanes from a suite.

Is Markus Naslund finally going to get his wish?

"I do not know much about it and I do not know how he thinks. But I hope he is thinking of the Rangers as an option in all cases."

-Naslund told Hockeyexpressen this past weekend. So he hangs out with him but knows nothing? I doubt that.

UPDATED 10:04 PM PST

Confusing. McKenzie's article states:

There had been speculation that Sundin had already made his decision and that he was about to sign with the Rangers, however Barry dismissed the rumours.

"No decision has been made," Barry told TSN. "(It is) inaccurate speculation."

McKenzie apparently wrote that at 5:23 PM I would think EST. The Fan 590 is still quoting McCown right now that Sundin will sign with the Rangers. Good ol' rumorville.

I think Sportsnet's Doug MacLean said it best tonight: Canucks fans better start praying that Sather doesn't make any moves this week. That would be Canuck fans that actually want Sundin here.

UPDATE 10:12 AM TUESDAY

JP Barry has talked with Hockeyexpressen last night.

"Mats' focus is now on these two clubs, the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. We are about to collect the latest data to the decision-making Mats wants before he decides, "said JP Barry.

Vancouver already offered in the summer, one year's salary of 80 million, what the Rangers want to pay?
"It is one of the things we are discussing with the Rangers right now. They must clarify to us what they are willing to pay the salary for Mats.
When can we have a definitive answer?
"My guess is that it will later this week."
Sundin has to decide before the weekend?
"No, not really. But the NHL's Holiday Voices Freeze comes into force on Friday and runs until Dec. 27. During that time, no player transactions made."
Mats can be verbally agreeing with a club and then write the contract on December 27He will still not play until then.
When can Mats earliest to be back on the ice in the NHL?
- "Some time after Dec. 27, maybe it takes until after the New Year. He wants to safely practice on ice with his new club for a week before he plays first match.
But Mats is physically in top trim after this fall's tough workout, so it is more about driving on ice with his new teammates."

UPDATE 12:05 PM

Toronto Star (like I should trust anyone from out East right now):

Mats Sundin is expected to finalize his playing future as early as tomorrow.

Sources in Sweden say his Swedish representative – Claes Elefalk – has told media in Stockholm to call tomorrow to learn which team Sundin has chosen to continue his NHL career with.

T Tags: Sundin+to+Rangers rumor Fan+590

New Blues, Stars, and Hawks jerseys

Now here is a team that doesn't f**k with a good thing. There isn't much difference in the Hawks new jerseys. Bless their damned hearts.
View the jersey launch gallery here.








The yellow stripe looks better on the blue home jerseys than it does on the white away jerseys, in my opinion. View the Blues sweater gallery here.

















Now, speaking of f**king with a good thing...the Stars went psychotic for their home jerseys, joining the Rangers as the only 2 teams to have just the name as a logo. The home jerseys makes me appreciate the Canucks' new duds a little more. I like the black though. That's cool. It's a return to the color they wore in the 90's since their inception. The away jersey looks sweet, but I don't think a lot of Stars fans are going to like the home jersey.
Actually, the Stars fans at the Stars forum are more in favor of the dark home jersey, once you get past them arguing whether it's a dark green or black. Yeesh.
View the new Dallas jersey gallery here.


What are your opinions on any or all of these new duds?


T Tags: new+Hawks+jersey new+Blues+jersey new+Stars+jersey

Canucks sign Curtis Sanford / other signings

It is a 1-year, $600,000 contract. So it's not Schneider backing Luongo it's Sanford then? The 28-year old goalie has 73 games of NHL experience, in 3 seasons, all with the St. Louis Blues. He has a 26 win-26 loss record with a 2.79 GAA, .901 save percentage, and 4 shutouts.
Sanford's NHL, AHL, ECHL stats can be seen here.

I think I'm missing something with this signing. Is Cory Schneider not ready for the NHL yet, or is Nonis working on a big trade? Maybe Wade Flaherty is retiring from the Moose. I have no clue.
Sanford is a major upgrade from Sabourin though. Maybe Luongo will get more nights off now so he can mentally rest for a long playoff run.

Dammit! The Wild have re-signed Wes Walz. So much for my Walz-to-Vancouver thinking patterns. Oh well. It's impossible to predict what Nonis does anyways!

The Wild have signed goalie Nolan Shaefer away from the Sharks. I guess the Wild needed to fill the gap with the Houston Aeros left by Josh Harding this coming season. That or Shaefer, who has more NHL experience, will back up Backstrom.

Rumors are swirling that Slava Kozlov, probably the best leftover UFA (already) is in Dallas hammering out a deal with the Stars.

The Lightning have signed Brad Lukowich to a 3-year deal.

When it rains, it shits in Edmonton. The Oilers are crying foul play by Michael Nylander, saying they had a deal with him completed and then Nylander signed with the Capitals instead.

"On Sunday, July 1, 2007, Kevin Lowe, Oilers general manager, and Mr. Mike Gillis, certified agent for Michael Nylander, negotiated and agreed to a multi-year NHL Standard Players Contract, starting in 2007-08. Mr. Gillis confirmed same to the Oilers in writing," the Oilers' statement read Tuesday.

"However, while the Oilers were expecting the returned signed agreements from Mr. Nylander and Mr. Gillis, the Oilers discovered through public announcements made mid-afternoon on July 2, that Mr. Nylander had subsequently entered into a long-term contract with the Capitals.

"The Oilers can find no precedent for such conduct in our history. The Oilers are examining and pursuing every course of action available in the best interest of the team and our fans.

"For legal reasons, the Edmonton Oilers hockey club will not be discussing the details any further at this time."

The Kings have just signed Brad Stuart to a 1-year $3.5 million deal. (5:16 PM)


T Tags: Canucks+sign+Curtis+Sanford Kozlov+to+Dallas Wild+sign+Nolan+Schaefer

Vigneault for Jack Adams

A great piece in the Vancouver Sun yesterday from Iain McIntyre about Luongo and Vigneault that offers a bit more insight to especially what Vigneault did this season including:

Nonis and Vigneault separately addressed players after a 4-0 loss to Edmonton on Dec. 4. The theme was that they needn't play scared, that players had to find a way to relax and just enjoy the games.

Vigneault, himself, never stopped enjoying his job.

Players were unsure initially what to make of him. But he backed up his promise to treat everyone "fairly, not equally." He benched Brendan Morrison and Jan Bulis, scratched free-agent bust Marc Chouinard from the lineup, used his grinders when he felt they were better than the top-six forwards, and even called on Luongo in November to be better.

Defenceman Kevin Bieksa said Vigneault's message never wavered, nor did he "lose it" with players, despite the slump that had everyone on edge. They may not always like the coach as much as the media does, but they respect and believe in him.

After the December summits, the Canucks began using their aggressive four-man press more often, and almost immediately the team started scoring. After Christmas, catapulted by back-to-back wins against the Calgary Flames, the Canucks began winning, too.

I was one of the people who was condemning the Canucks to finish in 9th place this season because I thought that they were not going to be able to score enough to win. That would have been the case had it not been for Luongo's stellar play and Vigneault's excellent system that he brought in. It's amazing that the Canucks coach brought in a rigid defensive system and then corrected the scoring issue in December without losing the teams' ability to play well in front of Louie.

It is a feat worthy of a Jack Adams trophy nomination and in my opinion, a 'Coach of the Year' crown.

Unfortunately, the scoring issue presented itself again in the playoffs, and now it is front and center in our minds. I can't wait to see some of the deals Nonis strikes in the summer.

T Tags: Canucks Alain+Vigneault Roberto+Luongo Jack+Adams+Trophy

Canucks 2 Stars 1 (OT)

Period 1

You know, this isn't going to cut it. The Stars are back to their usual tricks, shutting the Canucks down, keeping everything to the outside and out-muscling them. Luongo had to be much better than Turco in the first and the second period seems to be about the same. I got a bad feeling. The Canucks are not playing desperate either.

Period 2

Sure enough, the Stars continued their dominance in the second frame, and were rewarded by a Stu Barnes deflection.
As soon as that happened, we finally started seeing some desperation from Vancouver.
How many penalties is Bieksa going to take before I drive down to Dallas and and kick him in hte damned teeth? Fuck!
You get the feeling that the first team that scores in this series wins every game.
Roberto Luongo has been unbelievable. Those saves in the second period were phenomenal.

3rd Period

And those saves were game-saving because the Bulis-Hansen connection has struck again! What a great rebound goal.
The Canucks are showing way more hustle now. They have adjusted to Turco as well. Their shoot-ins are away from Turco so he can't play the puck. Also, the Nucks are getting pucks on net. The shots are along the ice so that Turco lets out rebounds. This could bode well for us in OT.
Oh God, is this going to be another marathon?

OVERTIME

Nope! No marathon here! The Canucks keep the pressure on in OT, and Taylor Pyatt rifles a shot past Turco at 7:47. Linden and Smolinski get the assist on the game-winner. Right..the Linden-Smoke-Pyatt-Riot Line, who I thought were mostly invisible tonight.
Hey, we'll take it. I don't give a fuck who scores as long as we win!
What a turnaround by Vancouver.

My 3 Stars

1. Luongo
2. Turco
3. Pyatt

Pyatt gets the 3rd star because of his winning goal, but it really could have been Jannik Hansen, who was the best Canuck tonight. Bulis was a close second. Yeah, Jan fucking Bulis.

After Pyatt scored the winner, myself and my friends were jumping up and down, and Milo, the Jack Russel Terrier in the room jumped up and bit me in the stomach while I was celebrating. I kid you not. The little fucker left a mark on my guts! So during the celebration I grabbed the dog by his fur and was scolding him. Guess you had to be there.



T Tags: Canucks Stars Game+2 Pyatt

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.

T Tags: Canucks Stars Preview Dave+Tippett Brent+Sopel Rory+Fitzpatrick