Canucks-Capitals Preview

The Canucks cannot access the MRI's on Bieksa's leg today but Vigneault did say:

"We put him on IR and hopefully he'll be back some time later this week," Vigneault said.
"It's the scenario that, according to (the team doctors), it's a mild MCL sprain."

So that is good news, or, better than I expected it to be. Shane O'Brien will take Bieksa's spot. That's a good thing. Let's see what O'Brien can do with more ice time. He doesn't have the same offensive flare as Bieksa, but judging by what I saw from him after Bieksa injured himself in game 2, he is a steady defenceman who makes good passes coming out of his own zone. He is quite aggressive and gets in passing lanes effectively, especially along the boards.
Oh yeah, and he's mean.
Rob Davison is in for his first regular season game as a Canuck.
What could be a better Thanksgiving gift from our Canucks than for them to shut down Ovechkin and the Caps and beat them down? Amazingly, the Canucks continued to keep Jarome Iginla off the score sheet in the 2 games against Calgary. That is an impressive feat. Imagine how frustrated Ovechkin would get if we shut him down.
The Caps are 1-1 to start the season. Their win came at home. 8 goals for and 9 against. They allowed 7 against Atlanta in their season-opener. The Canucks have scored 11 goals and only allowed 4 in their first 2 games. 11 damned goals. These are good times.
How about Daniel Sedin being named 1st star of the week in the NHL? 2 goals and 3 assists in 2 games will do that to you. Nice work.
The Capitals are a less physical team than Calgary. But their skill up front is sick. And Mike Green has arrived as a points-scoring defenceman. The Canucks may counter by dressing Kyle Wellwood tonight. Darcy Hordichuk may sit. Makes sense.
I don't want to see a lot of Washington power plays tonight. Apparently they've been putting Ovechkin at the point with Green. That's potent. No thanks. Hope the Canucks stay disciplined.

Prediction? 3-2 Canucks.

Judging by what Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said today, he wants his team to buckle up defensively. Washington can play that way. So can we.
Should be a great game.

Time: 4:00 PM PST
TV: Canucks PPV or on an NHL Center Ice channel for free.

T Tags: Canucks+Capitals+preview October+13+2008 Bieksa+injury+update

Canucks-Flames Preview

This is a great day. After a summer that seemed to go by so quickly I don't shake my fist to the air in disgust or dread the oncoming cold of winter. Why? Because the NHL regular season starts right when the weather cools and the leaves fall from the trees in my part of the world. Bring it on! Mother Nature can poop 10 feet of snow on us and drop the temperature to -20 celsius and I don't care. Just give me a warm room, a couch, a spiced rum and coke, and a 42-inch high-def TV with hockey on it and the rest doesn't matter.

The Canucks won 6 and lost 1 in OT in a terrific preseason run. Only so much can be read into that. Sure it threw the nay-sayers into a bit of a tizzy and yes, a lot of the preseason games looked and felt like preseason games. But not the Canucks-Flames game on October 1st. Sure, the Flames outshot us to hell, but Miikka Kiprusoff was not playing all that Kipper-worthy. Luongo was a god. The Canucks dumped the smoldering Flames 6-1 that night.
The same cannot be expected tonight. A much closer affair is to be expected. Then again, the whole Northwest Division is going to be close all year long in my opinion.

What to watch out for tonight:

- There will be a Luc Bourdon tribute pregame. Canucks players will be wearing his number during the pregame warmup. This is going to be a very emotional start to the season. Win this one for Luc and his family, boys!

- NHL.com states that the Flames have lost 5 season openers in a row. Impressive. Love to hear that. Let's make that 6!

- Boo Bertuzzi. Just do it. And pray he doesn't catch on fire tonight. 14 goals and 40 assists for Big Bert last year in Anaheim. Underachievement. Many predict a rise to power for Bertuzzi playing with Iginla. I reserve judgement on that. He has too many distractions in his personal life and has had chances to excel in Detroit and Anaheim and never did.

- All these new Canucks..... are they all going to gel right away or will it take a little time? I can't wait to see what Shane O'Brien brings. How long will it take Steve Bernier to click with the Twins? He just has to park his carcass in front of the net and clean up the garbage.

- We are a tougher team now and I can't wait to see how that translates against an aggressive Flames team. I also can't wait to see more of Alain Vigneault's new offence-defence system and how it pans out.

- So many questions to be answered in Vancouver. So many people have written them off this season. Myself, I have a good feeling about the direction this team is going.

Prediction: 4-3 Canucks in a shootout.

Game Time: 7:30 PM PST
TV: CBC (I have not heard the new HNIC theme yet)

T Tags: Canucks+Flames+Preview Regular+Season+Game+1 2008-09 Bertuzzi

Canucks / Ducks Game 4 Preview

I don't know what inspires me to make such Photoshops sometimes. An overactive imagination on occasion I suppose.

**Update (12:00 PM): From The Vancouver Province: Jeff Cowan was not at practice and may not play tonight. Apparently he is 'banged up.' As well, Kevin Bieksa's problems have alleviated, and he could be available tonight.

**Update (11:55 AM): From The Province- Goaltenders Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils and Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks and centre Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins are the finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player.


Power play theories mean what?

The Canucks' power play woes are front and center now, unlike in the Dallas series. It is so easy to pick on a team's lousy power play when they are behind in a series. But the 'you can't win a series with a sub-par power play' theory has too many holes in it. The Canucks were 3-for-38 against the Stars, and Dallas was 5-for-36 with the man advantage. Yet Vancouver still won the series.
The Canucks are 1-for-20 against the Ducks in Round 2. Anaheim is 4-for-21. This is going to sound silly, but if our PP doesn't improve, we can still limit Anaheim's scoring when they are up a man, and then beat them 5-on-5. Alain Vigneault pointed that out (in a sense) earlier in the series. It is possible. An improved power play would solidify Vancouver's chances however.

So what now?

I would not mind seeing Brendan Morrison taken off the point on the power play. Morrison looks absolutely lost and defeated out there. I don't give a shit how much he makes per year, I'd like to see him sit on the bench more often to send a message.
The same applies to the Sedins. Where is their game? They look like a bunch of floating pushovers out there. Make them sit if they don't show more determination.
Hell, like I said before, maybe it's time that the players who are playing at the highest level should be rewarded right now, with the man-advantage and 5-on-5. That would be Bulis and Hansen. Perhaps that is impossible as they kill penalties, but I wouldn't mind seeing what those 2 could do 5-on-4.

According to the players today, they plan on shooting the puck more and putting a better screen in front of Giguere. (video footage)
Luon-human

Not Luongod in Game 3. Expect a strong performance for Louie tonight to rebound from his human performance last game. Every time he goes to play the puck I am still going to cringe though. I'd also like to see the Canucks keep the shooting lanes clear of Duck players more effectively tonight. If Kunitz wants to put his ass in Bobby's face, then give him some stick work. Make him pay for it. Push him out of there.

My Call

I've got a great feeling about tonight. The power play may or may not click tonight. At least they are working on it. It looked better in Game 3 and was rewarded once. I think we'll see more shots directed at Giguere tonight from more angles...desperation. Vancouver will dump the puck in more and aggressively forecheck. They have to. If I see another game filled with Swedes trying to carry the puck into the Ducks' end and coughing it up, I am going to lose it!

The Canucks respond well with their backs to the wall.

2-1 Canucks. Bulis and Smolinski for Van. Pronger for Anaheim. Anyone else feeling confident?

T Tags: Canucks Ducks Game+4 Preview Power+play

Canucks / Ducks Game 1 Preview

Haha, a little stab at Earl Sleek's cartoon-skills. For me: mostly stolen images and a bit of imagination. Sleek does the real thing, and it's funny as hell.
But let's get down to business.
For the most part, the Canucks-Stars series was quite similar to what happened between those 2 team during the regular season. We don't want that to be the case against the Ducks. Here are some stats for your viewing pleasure.

Breaking down the regular season matchups

-The Canucks won 1 game out of 4 against the Ducks this season.
-They were outscored 14-6 in those games. (The 6-0 loss in November skews that stat.)
-They were out shot 121 to 101.
-The Canucks were shorthanded 25 times. The Ducks 18.
-The Canucks' PP went 2-for-25. The Ducks: 4-for-18.
-The Ducks won 59% of the face offs. The Canucks: 41%

Canuck-killers in those 4 games:

Chris Kunitz: 2 goals and 2 assists
Teemu "Buzz Lightyear" Selanne: 2 goals and 4 assists.
Ryan Getzlaf: 3 goals and 1 assist
Andy McDonald: 3 goals and 1 assist
Chris Pronger: 3 assists

Duck-killers in those 4 games:

Dan Sedin: 1 goal and 2 assists
Hanky Sedin: 2 assists
Markus Naslund: 1 goal 1 assist.
Yeah, not that impressive.

Team stats Regular Season:

Goals for: Canucks: 222 Ducks: 258
Goals against: Canucks: 201 Ducks: 208
Home record: Canucks: 26-11-4 Ducks: 26-6-9
Road Record: Canucks: 23-15-3 Ducks: 22-15-5
Points: Canucks: 105 points Ducks: 110 points

Current Ducks 2007 playoffs player stats
Current Canucks 2007 Player stats

This is going to be a tough series for Vancouver. Tougher than the Dallas series I believe. The Ducks blew right by the Wild in 5 games in Round 1, and that was supposed to be a lot closer of a series. So they mean business. Of course, the Canucks could have beat Dallas in 5 had they not shat the bed in Games 5 & 6.
It could very well come down to power plays deciding this series even more-so than the Dallas series. The Canucks will have to avoid needless trips to the sin bin, regardless of the fact that we dominate on the PK and we have Luongo in net. I don't think I can stomach seeing Niedermayer, Pronger and Frenchie Beauchemin cranking shots from the point all that often. And the Canucks really won't get away with that.
It's going to be a rough series as well, with Anaheim perhaps having the size advantage. (Anaheim roster / Canucks roster) Hopefully we match Anaheim's physicality. It wouldn't hurt to get Matt Cooke back either, but his status is still up in the air. I thought the Canucks matched Dallas' physical play really well in Round 1.
It is unfortunate that we still saw that glitch in Vancouver's work ethic in Round 1 that we saw in spurts throughout the season, especially in Games 5&6. I wouldn't mind seeing that disappear really quick. It is going to take the hard-fought effort that we saw in Game 7 at a more consistent level for these guys to advance in the postseason.

My Predictions

For the series: In my head: Ducks in 6. In my heart: Canucks in 7

Game 1: 4-3 Canucks. The Ducks look sloppy after a week off, and the Nucks, fresh out of Game 7, take advantage of it. Ah, back to seeing more goals scored again...hopefully!

Get ready, because it's:
- the Swedish Touch line or the Sedins-Pyatt Riot line against the Selanne-McDonald-Getzlaf line
- the Canucks' European Twin Towers (Salo and Ohlund) versus the Canadian Allstars (Pronger & Niedermayer)
- Burrows versus Frenchie
- Pahlsson versus Bulis in a PK showdown
- The Almighty Luongod against Marshmellow Man (Giguere) or maybe Bryzgalov.
- Vigneault versus Randy Carlyle, or Archie Bunker
- Nonis versus Burke. The Master meets the Apprentice.
- the Honda Center vs General Motors Place
- the first time these 2 teams have met in the playoffs...ever!

Let's get it on!!!

Some Ducks blogs to heckle and spam whenever we win:
Battle of California
Girl With a Puck
Ducks Blog
Anaheim Duck Fan
Or in other words: The Mickey Mouse Club! (I kid, I kid)

T Tags: Canucks Ducks Series Preview Stats

Canucks/Stars Game 7 Preview

If you weren't a drinker before, maybe you should become one now. In fact, become a full-fledged alcoholic for one night (drink responsibly-haha). Tonight's finale is going to bring about more stress and anxiety than an Alec Baldwin phone call to his kid.
The Stars are riding high after winning 2 in a row to tie the series. After Game 6 the Canucks look like a heavyweight champion boxer up against the ropes getting fed by a suprising challenger. Thankfully, the fucking bell just sounded to end the round.
Now the Canucks are going to have to look deep within themselves to see if they can shake off this Stars attack and put the current inability to close this series and a lousy Game 6 out of their minds.
All I am asking for is composure, patience, and desire. No more mindless penalties, play their system that has worked all year, and match/exceed the Stars' work ethic.
The rest comes down to breaks that are created by such ethics.

Markus Naslund- prove you are worthy of wearing the "C" on your jersey (and your $6 million salary) and play the game of your life. Naslund guaranteed at practice on Sunday that the Canucks will show a better effort in Game 7.

"We're looking to bounce back and play a strong game," said Naslund. "I can guarantee you we are going to play a hard game. When we have our backs against the wall we usually respond well."

Remember how most of us said in the beginning of the season that the Canucks would have a hard time scoring goals and the team proved us wrong during the season? Well that will not mean anything if they don't win Game 7 and score 1 goal or less in the process.


Now Canucks fans, take a drink

I know that historic stats are not the be all end all of how a game will turn out. But here is a concerning stat.

Since 1986, teams that have had to play a Game 7 because they blew a 3-1 series lead have won the final game 9 times and lost 16 times.

In retrospect, that's not even all that bad, but concerning nonetheless. The last team to win Game 7 after consecutive losses was Carolina last year against the Oilers in the Finals.
It does happen. It can happen on Monday night.

Check out the poll below from Canucks.com. Vancouver fans are not very confident right now. I am for the most part. I voted "pretty sure."
My prediction in this one is a 3-1 Canucks win.



T Tags: Canucks Stars Game+7 Preview

Canucks / Stars Game 6 Preview

Just as a side note- the Flames-Wings game is a beauty. The game was close until Dan Cleary, the Newfie wonder, scores the first goal on the penalty shot in the 2nd. Then the Flames, like they've been doing all series long on the road, completely unravelled and fell apart at the seams. It's now 2-0 Wings.
Poor Cleary caught an edge by the Wings bench, fell awkwardly head-first into the boards. He's alright.
One thing is for sure: Miikka Kiprusoff is playing super, and his mates are not bailing him out at all.
Great. Chris Chelios scores his first goal of the year. 3-0 Wings. The Flames are fuckt.

Anyways, on to the series that really matters. :)

The post image is something I created about 3 months ago. I always chuckle at how Sopel and Mitchell don't quite look human.
The temporary header on this site is a mockery of the Stars' inability to win a playoff game at home the past couple of years. The count is now 7 straight home losses and I pray to Luongod that great streak continues tonight.
It's time for a gut check from the Canucks, as they couldn't close the series in game 5 at home and the Stars have seized the momentum. It is probably going to come down to a mistake or a deflected shot again tonight, as that momentum hangs by a thread.
I really wouldn't mind seeing Sopel sit tonight in favor of Rory Fitzpatrick. Sopes has looked a little lost out there in this series, where Fitzy was terrific in game 1 and then benched in favor of Sopel in game 2. Do it, Vigneault, you won't regret it.

My prediction

1-0 Canucks in double OT. Jan Bulis turns hero. Anyone else?
This game is going to stress me out to end like game 5 did. I don't want to be depressed at the end result this time though. No more of that. Kill the damned Stars! I want to see Lindros carried off on a stretcher! I want to see Modano decapitated! I want to see Turco cough the puck up and lose this game! Die Stars die!!!

More Previews on the web:

Take 2- It seems there is a lot of praying going on between JJ at Canucks Hockey Blog and myself!

Know your enemy- Dallas Stars.com Game 6 preview

T Tags: Canucks Stars Game+6 Die+Stars Flames+Suck

Canucks / Stars Game 5 Preview

"We're probably more frustrated than the fans are," Morrow said. "We're the ones that go through it day in and day out ... 82 games, the hard work, the injuries, all the adversities. It's been a long road to get here. Our effort has been OK. It hasn't been good enough. It's been frustrating."

It's all about frustration. To me, it seems that the Stars are defeated in their own minds already. I have not read anywhere in the Dallas media where someone says they are going to come back from this 3-1 deficit. So not even the fans believe in them.
That would change with a win by Dallas in Vancouver tonight. The Canucks are going to have to keep their composure against a team that is playing like they have everything to lose. Smothering the Stars' offensive talents and scoring the first goal tonight would really help. You know, show some killer instinct.


JUSSI WHAT I MEAN?

Dallas will be without Jussi Jokinen tonight, who suffered an 'upper-body injury' in game 4. Big deal. Joke hasn't done a thing in these playoffs (1 assist). Neither has the other 'Stars' in this series.
Morrow: 1 goal 1 assist
Modano: 1 assist, 11 shots
Ribeiro the Spineless Star Weasel: 1 assist, 4 shots
Hagman: 1 assist

Krys Barch will take Joke's place.The 6'2" Guleph Ontario native is more of a muscle head than anything else.

Eric Lindros travelled with the team to Vancouver and could play tonight. But Lindy Lindy Lindros only had 5 goals and 21 assists in 49 games with the Stars this season. He is pointless in his last 8 games. He has not played since March 8th. Hopefully Linden gives him a stiff elbow and ends his career and that will be the end of it.

The Canucks looked loose at practice yesterday.

Matt Cooke is not skating with the team yet.

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO...DRINK

Not to sound too much like Ian MacIntyre here, but what was the last time the Canucks had a 3-1 lead in a series and finished the team off in Game 5?
Answer: the Dallas Stars in round 2 of the 1994 playoffs.

MY CALL

2-1 Canucks. It's a safe bet. But I wouldn't guarantee a win for the Nucks here. It's going to be tough, and now we'll see what they are really made of. Rejoice in the fact that Vigneault is a great puppet master and should keep these guys cool.

Temujin predicted a 4-1 Canucks score tonight and had said pre-series that the Canucks would take this series in 5. I scoffed at his over-confidence.....until now...

Here's a little tune to cheer you up if you're in doubt.

**UPDATE 1**
TSN interviewed Kevin Bieksa on TSN Broadband a few hours ago. Bieksa said that we will see the Canucks' best effort tonight because they don't want to go back to Dallas and they don't want to give them any momentum at all. See the clip here.

T Tags: Canucks Stars Game+5 Preview Cooke Jokinen

Join the club, Luongo / Game 4 Preview

Interference
It appears that the Canucks have made an official complaint to the NHL office about the Stars' rough treatment of Roberto Luongo. At one point in game 3 Luongo was laying on the ice in 'pain' because he was clipped in the head by I believe Ladislav Nagy

."There were a couple of incidents in Vancouver where it was tough for the referees to see Louie getting bumped," Vigneault said. "But obviously, all teams tell their players to go hard to the net, to get foot traffic in front of the goaltender and to drive hard. Louie got hit twice there and once almost got hurt. The league is aware of it. It's something we hope the referees are going to be able to see."

Vigneault may as well bring it to the League's attention because for one, he wants it to stop. Secondly, if it isn't going to stop, at least the referees will, or may be looking for it to happen and make the call.
It's a tough scenario for the refs I'm sure. You want to make the interference call sometimes, but Luongo for one sells it anytime someone touches him. And you know what refs do when a player embelishes often: they stop calling infractions against the player.
I'm not sure if any other team has complained about the same thing this post season. One thing is for sure: it's happening in every series. How about Colby Armstrong's treatment of Ray Emery? Full on contact!
The worst thing in this situation is something that Kevin Bieksa made clear:

"It's tough when you see a guy bumping your goalie. The guys [who have] been bumping our goalie have been their little guys.... So those guys aren't really going to [fight] back. So you give them a shot or something. You have to be very careful. You definitely don't want to take a penalty."

And that's exactly the problem. Players' hands are tied when it comes to policing their teammates. If Nagy does that to Luongo, we need to see Bieksa rough him up (or beat his ass in) to send a message: "We are not going to tolerate this bullshit you little weasel!" Alas, we're stuck with this problem because of stupid NHL rules.

What about tonight?
It doesn't look like Eric Lindros is ready yet.
I don't mind. I wouldn't want him to play in this series at all.
A huge positive about Vancouver in game 3 was that they were mostly outplayed for the first 47 minutes of the game. Not only did they erase a 1-0 lead when it seemed liked they wouldn't, they also took over the game after they tied it.
Roberto Luongo is looking better and better all the time. He saved their sorry carcasses again last game. It seems that the only way that Dallas is going to beat him now is with a tipped shot from the point or a through a massive screen. Luongo's mates will need to continue their tight play in front of him and keep Dallas to the outside and clear those rebounds.

My call
I think Canucks will take this game 2-1. I would be more tempted to pick Dallas if Temujin didn't steal my 2-1 Dallas score last week. haha! Anyone else?
Expect a ton of shots from the point with heavy traffic in front of Luongo. Hopefully the Canucks give Turco the same treatment on a more consistent basis tonight. This one should be even more of a defensive clinic, as both teams are settling down as the series goes on.
Can you imagine going home up 3 games to 1? I'm in! Let's get it done, boys!!

**UPDATE**
Marty Turco had lunch at the May Dragon Chinese Food Restaurant today for a hefty lunch. After devouring his chicken balls and deep-fried prawns, the waiter brought him his bill and a fortune cookie. Upon breaking his cookie and pulling out the fortune, here is what he saw:




Poor bastard!






**UPDATE 2**
I see that fellow Canuck fan Rod Templeton has a post up about what Dallas Stars fans are saying in response to the Nagy-Luongo issue in a blog at The Dallas Morning News site. No love there.
I can see the Canucks being more concerned in this situation because if we lose Louie, we be fuckt, (sorry Sabs). The Stars have an awesome backup in Mike Smith.

Thanks to 1uongo from the Vancouver Canucks message boards, whose sig I stole!

T Tags: Canucks Stars Preview Game+4 Luongo Interference

Canucks / Stars Game 2 Preview

Now that the first marathon is over, can we expect to see another one? Every game in this series could go to overtime the way these 2 teams are matched. So make sure you drink alot of coffee pre game and bring your sleeping bags if you are watching it at a friends' house. It really is possible.
In my opinion, I'd rather not see the wide open style of play from Vancouver. I'd like to see them buckle down and make it a tad more boring. Trap trap trap!
I think they flourish that way.
Hopefully Vancouver can get a lead and hold on to it this time without a 3rd period meltdown.
I'd like to see Luongo play spectacular right out of the gate tonight and frustrate the Stars early, because you know that he is getting inside their heads already, after they peppered him with so many shots last game and still lost.

I wonder how Jansen and Smith are going play tonight in the absence of Cooke and Kesler?
When can we see Josh Green back?

I'll keep you updated today.

If you are going to the game tonight, WEAR BLUE. It's part of the Believe in Blue Campaign.

My prediction:

3-2 Canucks in double overtime. A lot less wide open style of hockey. The critics begin to call the series boring. And we all tell them to put a sock in it.
Anyone else got a score prediction?

**UPDATE 1**
Burrows wanted to play during the OT in game 1 but his doctor told him to wait until Friday. Burrows could play tonight

."Right now I feel really good," he said. "Some people when they get concussions, they have headaches and stuff like that. I didn't get any of those symptoms. It was just a weird hit, I recovered from the hit and now I'm good to go."

**UPDATE 2**
Brent Sopel missed game 1 not because he was a healthy scratch, but because he hurt his back after trying to pick up a cracker at home. It's true! Hahaha!

"It's the truth," Sopel said. "For some of you guys who think I was a healthy scratch, you think it's all fun and games but ... being keeled over, I couldn't walk. It wasn't fun."

Rory Fitzpatrick played admirably in Sopel's absence didn't he?


T Tags: Canucks Stars Game 2 Preview

Canucks / Sharks Preview

Before I give any personal insight into tomorrow's game, I'll grace you with a few stats.

* Canucks' record against the Sharks this season: 2 wins 1 loss

* The scores: 6-4 loss to SJ in Vancouver on October 13, a 3-1 win in Vancouver on January 28th, and a 2-1 win in OT in San Jose on March 9.

* Canuck killers in those 3 games:
Milan Michalek: 3 assists
Patrick Marleau: 2 goals

* Shark killers in those 3 games:
Kevin Bieksa: 1 goal and 4 assists
Daniel Sedin: 2 goals and 2 assists
Henrik Sedin: 1 goal and 4 assists
Taylor Pyatt: 2 goals and 1 assist

* Powerplays:
San Jose: 1 for 15
Vancouver: 2 for 12

Joe Thornton only has 1 assist against the Canucks this season. Jonathan Cheechoo has zero points. So much can be said for the Canucks penalty-killing against the Sharks this season. It's the biggest reason why those 2 are held off the scoresheet.

So what is going to happen on Saturday afternoon? In their last 5 games, Vancouver has allowed 3 goals on 23 times shorthanded. Not bad. They will have to keep that up.
San Jose is going to be another hungry team that we have to face. The Sharks are trying to claim the Pacific Division title from the Ducks. They trail them by 2 points. If San Jose beats Vancouver in regulation and the Ducks lose to the Blue Jackets in regulation tomorrow, the Sharks will take 1st spot because they have won more games.
This time around, unlike the Avalanche, the Sharks will not be watching the Ducks game on the scoreboard while playing the Canucks. The Ducks/Jackets game starts at 4 pm Pacific Time. The Canucks/Sharks tilt begins at 1 pm Pacific Time. Geez, that's too early to start drinking....

My Prediction:
I really didn't like the Canucks' effort last game against the Avalanche. They seemed to cave under Colorado's pressure. Sure, the Nucks usually respond after a dismal game, but I think that the Sharks will be more hungry. I know I sound pessimistic. In the Sharks' last 5 games: Thornton has 7 assists, Cheechoo has 5 goals, Marleau has 2 goals and 3 assists, and Michalek has 2 goals and 2 assists. These guys are rolling.

4-2 Sharks. May I be completely wrong!!!

Sharks goals: Cheechoo (2), Pavelski, Marleau
Canucks goals: Pyatt, Naslund

Anyone else want to guess? Nobody guessed correctly in the Canucks' last game against the Avalanche.

Can Saturday's NHL lineup be any better? The Leafs could clinch a final playoff spot over the Habs if they beat them in regulation, only to possibly lose that spot if the Islanders (who have a game in hand) win both of their games against the Flyers and Devils.
The Wild have to beat the Blues tomorrow to give themselves a chance to catch Vancouver.
The Flames have to defeat the Oilers (or lose in OT or the shootout) to do away with the pesky Avalanche, who will have to defeat the Predators tomorrow. The tension is mounting. I can't wait. It feels like the damned playoffs already!
Enjoy the action, everyone!

Tech Tags: Canucks Sharks Preview Thornton Cheechoo Marleau Michalek Playoffs

Canucks / Avalanche Preview

I am loving this time of year! The races for final playoff spots especially in the East, but also in the West between Colorado and Calgary have been a thrill to watch.
Colorado's playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. It could be over for them tonight.
There is no doubt that the Avs will be scoreboard watching, as they are 5 points behind Calgary. The Flames play the Sharks starting at 7:30 pst. The Canucks/Avs game starts at 7:00 pst. A win by the Flames will terminate the Avs' hopes. A win by the Canucks tonight in regulation will terminate the Avs' chances.
Tonight, you would have to think that if the Avalanche players look up and see Calgary beating the Sharks say, 3-1 early in the 3rd, that it will negatively affect their psyche and potentially ruin their momentum and desire. But we'll see.
Odds are stacked against Colorado. Even if the Sharks beat the Flames in regulation tonight, and the Avs beat Vancouver, Calgary plays Edmonton on Saturday, and you know how lousy the Oilers are. A win by Calgary against the Oilers would make Sunday's Flames/Avalanche game nearly pointless. That's no fun....
The Canucks, who still have 3 games left, need the win tonight to clinch top spot in the Northwest. They will get a tremendous boost as Mattias Ohlund returns to the lineup, hopefully to shut down Joe Sakic.
Tonight is Fan Appreciation Night in Vancouver, as they play their next and last 2 games on the road against San Jose and Phoenix.

My prediction:

A bold one. The Sharks will beat the Flames. The Avs are relentless and defeat the Canucks 4-3 in OT, making the race between Calgary and Colorado that much more exciting, and prompting Naslund to give one of his 'We Choked' speeches! Haha, ok, I kid. Ironically, the Avs, who are 8-1-1 in their last 10, have only lost to the Canucks in that span. Does that mean anything?
The Avs have more on the line tonight. Given the Canucks' recent lack of intensity during prolonged sections of games, I think that will be the difference. Colorado is going to come at them hard. I think it will take a massive Luongod effort to stop them.


Anyone else got a prediction?

Tech Tags: Canucks Avalanche Preview

Canucks / Flames Preview

There is alot on the line for both teams tonight. The Flames can clinch a playoff spot with a win, and put an end to the Avalanche's playoff hopes. The Canucks can put themselves 5 points ahead of the Wild tonight with a win, and pretty much secure top spot in the Northwest.
The Avalanche did the Canucks a favor this afternoon by beating the Wild 2-1 in regulation. Now will the Canucks do the Avs a favor by beating the only team that Colorado can catch for a playoff spot? A loss in regulation for the Flames means that the Avs will only be 5 points behind them. The Avs and Flames play eachother 2 more times still. Ooo, big pressure on the Flames to win tonight.
Calgary has won their last 5 games. 3 of those wins came on the road, including back-to-back games against the Wild. Are the Flames' road woes over with?
The Canucks have won 5 of their last 6. Their only loss in that span was in the shootout against the Avalanche on March 25th.

Vancouver has won 4 and lost 3 games to Calgary this season.

Jarome Iginla has 1 goal and 4 assists in 7 games against the Nucks this season.
Kristian "The Weasel" Huselius has 5 goals and 3 assists in that span.

The Sedins have 19 points against the Flames this year.
Brendan Morrison has 3 goals and 3 assists.

My Prediction

Oh geez. Tough one. Two defensive teams. Calgary has only allowed 11 goals in their last 6 games...Kipper is red hot...round it off to the nearest whole number....and the Flames take this one 2-1.
Calgary goals by Huselius and Lombardi. Canuck goal by Brendan Morrison.

Anyone else have a prediction?

Tech Tags: Canucks Flames Preview