This should be a much more interesting game tonight than the previous game against Calgary. Edmonton's got speed and exciting young players and they play a very up-tempo style of game. I expect the Canucks to win this one, extending their record points streak to 15 games. Vancouver's shown that they can lock down the Oil and not allow them to use their speed to gain entry into their zone throughout the year so far.. I expect them to do much of the same.
Schneider's expected to get the start tonight, Lui will start in Detroit tomorrow night. Kurtis Foster is a healthy scratch for the Oil and Strudwick will come into the lineup in his place.
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Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Well, I was kinda right...
A goalie did steal the show. The Canucks were flat (expected, most of the time the first game home off a road trip is low energy) and Calgary was playing decent, but Luongo stole the game. Too bad the boys didn't get him the shutout, but a win is a win.
Next up, Edmonton on Friday. I expect the streak to live throughout the weekend, beating both Edmonton and Detroit back to back. The Canucks haven't lost the 2nd game of a back to back yet this season, and they have the talent to play like they did tonight and still find ways to win, which should take care of Edmonton.
Next up, Edmonton on Friday. I expect the streak to live throughout the weekend, beating both Edmonton and Detroit back to back. The Canucks haven't lost the 2nd game of a back to back yet this season, and they have the talent to play like they did tonight and still find ways to win, which should take care of Edmonton.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Canucks vs. Flames, still a rivalry?
With the Canucks icing probably the best team in it's 40 year history (ironically on it's 40th anniversary), and the Flames looking rather directionless, disinterested and mediocre, is there still a true rivalry between the two Northwest Division foes?
True rivalries are bred in the playoffs, these two having a rather storied history against each other in the playoffs. They've met 4 times, and each time the victor has gone to the Stanley Cup. They play against one another 6 times in a course of a season, but is that enough to keep the rivalry ignited? It's been 6 years since these two last met in the playoffs. There are but a handful of players on either team that was playing in that series. On Vancouver's end, the Sedins and Sami Salo are the only Canucks left from that 2003-2004 team. On Calgary's, there was Jerome Iginla, Mikka Kipprusoff, Craig Conroy, and Robyn Regehr.
If there is reason for rivalry now, it is between the fans of the two teams more so than the teams themselves. Vancouver would tell you Chicago's their biggest rival because of recent playoff history, but ask any Canuck fan what they think of Calgary and they'll let you know that they still hate the Flames, probably more than the Hawks. I'm sure it's the same way for Flames fans, in fact I know it is just from message boards and websites I lurk on a regular basis.
Tomorrow night, one of 3 things is going to happen.
1. The Canucks will lose, they are due for a loss and their play as of late is looking like a loss will happen sooner rather than later.
2. The Canucks will win, and win big (14 goals for the last 2 contests for the 'nuckleheads)
3. They both play a chippy 'in your face' game and the goaltenders steal the show.
My money's on 3, Calgary's playing a little better and Van's play as of late hasn't been too hot.
True rivalries are bred in the playoffs, these two having a rather storied history against each other in the playoffs. They've met 4 times, and each time the victor has gone to the Stanley Cup. They play against one another 6 times in a course of a season, but is that enough to keep the rivalry ignited? It's been 6 years since these two last met in the playoffs. There are but a handful of players on either team that was playing in that series. On Vancouver's end, the Sedins and Sami Salo are the only Canucks left from that 2003-2004 team. On Calgary's, there was Jerome Iginla, Mikka Kipprusoff, Craig Conroy, and Robyn Regehr.
If there is reason for rivalry now, it is between the fans of the two teams more so than the teams themselves. Vancouver would tell you Chicago's their biggest rival because of recent playoff history, but ask any Canuck fan what they think of Calgary and they'll let you know that they still hate the Flames, probably more than the Hawks. I'm sure it's the same way for Flames fans, in fact I know it is just from message boards and websites I lurk on a regular basis.
Tomorrow night, one of 3 things is going to happen.
1. The Canucks will lose, they are due for a loss and their play as of late is looking like a loss will happen sooner rather than later.
2. The Canucks will win, and win big (14 goals for the last 2 contests for the 'nuckleheads)
3. They both play a chippy 'in your face' game and the goaltenders steal the show.
My money's on 3, Calgary's playing a little better and Van's play as of late hasn't been too hot.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Vancouver @ Dallas 5pm PST
Tonight should be a good and gritty matchup between Vancouver and Dallas. Vancouver comes into this game with a 8-0-1 record over the past 10 games. Dallas meanwhile is 5-3-2 in the last 10 and coming off a loss to Detroit on Wednesday. Dallas is an impressive 12-5-3 at home this year while the Canucks are 9-5-3 on the road. Schneider will get the start in net tonight.
Vancouver needs to come out hard in the first period and try and get a goal in early as Dallas likes to hang around long enough to get the extra point in OT/SO at the very least. I do expect Vancouver to win this game, not a slight on Dallas because they are a good team but I don't see any signs of Vancouver's game letting down right now. Usually when teams are at the end of a streak they start to win games they shouldn't have won, and I haven't seen many signs of that as of yet.
Vancouver needs to come out hard in the first period and try and get a goal in early as Dallas likes to hang around long enough to get the extra point in OT/SO at the very least. I do expect Vancouver to win this game, not a slight on Dallas because they are a good team but I don't see any signs of Vancouver's game letting down right now. Usually when teams are at the end of a streak they start to win games they shouldn't have won, and I haven't seen many signs of that as of yet.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Predictable Outcome
Just as I suspected, the long layoff affected Philly the way I thought it would affect them, and the Canucks came out hard at the start like I suspected they would - knowing Philly just had a long layoff and would probably take a good period before they got their legs back. Unfortunately they didn't get their legs back, and Vancouver's on fire right now.
Not a bad game per say, but I expected more. Hopefully next time these two meet, they both have their "A" game on. The highlight (and not in a good way) was Jody Shelley pretty much knocking out Andrew Alberts with <10 minutes to go in the game. Not surprising knowing Jody Shelley, but why was he even on the ice in the midst of a blowout?
Not a bad game per say, but I expected more. Hopefully next time these two meet, they both have their "A" game on. The highlight (and not in a good way) was Jody Shelley pretty much knocking out Andrew Alberts with <10 minutes to go in the game. Not surprising knowing Jody Shelley, but why was he even on the ice in the midst of a blowout?
Monday, December 27, 2010
Potential Stanley Cup Preview?
Tomorrow night will be the first meeting between Philadelphia and Vancouver this season. Both touted as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, and both dominating their respective conferences this month.
Philadelphia is coming into Roger's Arena with a 7-2-1 record for December. Vancouver is the NHL's hottest team, going 9-1-2 so far this month.
I give the edge to the Canucks tomorrow night, for 3 reasons. 1 being, the Canucks are at home and they rarely lose in Roger's Arena. 2, Philly's without Chris Pronger and regardless of who they have on their team, you cannot replace a Chris Pronger. 3, Philly hasn't played since the 20th, losing 5-0 to Florida. Normally I'd expect a big bounce back game, but that's an awful long layoff and most teams with that much time off are sluggish out of the gate.
Philadelphia is coming into Roger's Arena with a 7-2-1 record for December. Vancouver is the NHL's hottest team, going 9-1-2 so far this month.
I give the edge to the Canucks tomorrow night, for 3 reasons. 1 being, the Canucks are at home and they rarely lose in Roger's Arena. 2, Philly's without Chris Pronger and regardless of who they have on their team, you cannot replace a Chris Pronger. 3, Philly hasn't played since the 20th, losing 5-0 to Florida. Normally I'd expect a big bounce back game, but that's an awful long layoff and most teams with that much time off are sluggish out of the gate.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
How good are the Canucks?
Is what we see, what we get? Am I the only one who's watching this team and realizing that we haven't seen the best of this team yet?
For one, Roberto Luongo's been very inconsistant. He's been better, but he's still not the Luongo of 2006-2007. The Luongo the Canucks need him to be to not just get to the Stanley Cup, but to win it. Does this team really need him to be that good though? This team can score a lot of problems away, prior teams needed him to be perfect to win.
The defense is a lot better this year than last. They are allowing fewer scoring opportunities and the transition game is top notch. They do not seem to be as active on the scoring front as last season so I do see room for improvement. It'll be interesting to see who they deal to make room for Sami Salo. Rumor has it he should be ready to go sometime in January. Bieksa's been really solid this year defensively so dealing him is not as much of a no brainer as it used to be. Ehrhoff is a free agent at the end of the year, but dealing him would drasctically decrease the Canucks transition play.
The Sedins have been average, in my view. They have not been putting up the points like they did last season, they are merely 'PPG' players so far this year. Ryan Kesler however has been magnificent and is making up for any points the Sedins aren't getting this year with his stellar play. He needs to contunie this level of play come playoff time, he's been dismal so far in the playoffs but perhaps he's ready to turn the corner and be the player the Canucks need him to be when it counts the most.
It's almost game time, Edmonton tonight should be a win - even if the Canucks come out flat. Look for Kesler to lead the way, he has all season long so far.
For one, Roberto Luongo's been very inconsistant. He's been better, but he's still not the Luongo of 2006-2007. The Luongo the Canucks need him to be to not just get to the Stanley Cup, but to win it. Does this team really need him to be that good though? This team can score a lot of problems away, prior teams needed him to be perfect to win.
The defense is a lot better this year than last. They are allowing fewer scoring opportunities and the transition game is top notch. They do not seem to be as active on the scoring front as last season so I do see room for improvement. It'll be interesting to see who they deal to make room for Sami Salo. Rumor has it he should be ready to go sometime in January. Bieksa's been really solid this year defensively so dealing him is not as much of a no brainer as it used to be. Ehrhoff is a free agent at the end of the year, but dealing him would drasctically decrease the Canucks transition play.
The Sedins have been average, in my view. They have not been putting up the points like they did last season, they are merely 'PPG' players so far this year. Ryan Kesler however has been magnificent and is making up for any points the Sedins aren't getting this year with his stellar play. He needs to contunie this level of play come playoff time, he's been dismal so far in the playoffs but perhaps he's ready to turn the corner and be the player the Canucks need him to be when it counts the most.
It's almost game time, Edmonton tonight should be a win - even if the Canucks come out flat. Look for Kesler to lead the way, he has all season long so far.
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