How about them Canucks!

[JLM]

For me, the two scariest teams are columbus and chicago, I'd rather play detroit
or san jose in the first round than either of them.
Watched a real good game last night between chicago and new jersey, chicago
won it in overtime, and that is a possibility of two teams who will meet each
other for the cup, among others.
I don't see canucks as being on that level yet, but in the playoffs there are lots
of possibilities, 'who teams meet' early means a lot, and 'luck' comes into play,
home ice advantage, injuries, after that it's just each team having to play
their best, and most crucially, the goalies, determination is important, but if
the opposition is more determined and more talented, then so be it, you try
your best and are beaten by a better team, can't hang your head, that's sports.

Your last sentence sums up my philosophy. I don't think Columbus is as scary as you think. They lack playoff experience. They have been steadily improving all year by the look of their stats, but that could be from doing well in their own division, a luxury they will probably not have in the playoffs. Their road record is well under .500- BUT another philosophy of mine is to not make the mistake of underestimating ANYBODY, so we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Kreskin]

Hey Taloolla, did you hear me ripping the guys on team 1040 this afternoon? They were defending the media treatment of the Canucks. I reminded them that not one sports radio in Vancouver gave Gillis a chance. That moj guy wanted examples..I asked him to name me one only one sports radio guy that even remotely gave the guy a chance. We were shouting over each other. Then my cellphone went dead.

 

[talloola]

Hey Taloolla, did you hear me ripping the guys on team 1040 this afternoon? They were defending the media treatment of the Canucks. I reminded them that not one sports radio in Vancouver gave Gillis a chance. That moj guy wanted examples..I asked him to name me one only one sports radio guy that even remotely gave the guy a chance. We were shouting over each other. Then my cellphone went dead.

What a coincidence, as I have just finished sending moj guy, an E Mail, I can't stand him.
I just answered his poll, have a look at it. 'fan's feed off of the media.'
He argued about gillis being sensitive about how the media treat the canucks,
and I agree that they throw negative bait out to the fans for negative feedback.
I told him they never ever act responsible when criticized, but throw everything
back, and say they are just trying to satisfy the fans. I totally disagree with
him, they are sleeze.
I have been in and out of the car throughout the day, heard some of the 1040 guys,
but missed lots of it too, wish I had heard you, congrats. I'm with you.

 

[talloola]

Your last sentence sums up my philosophy. I don't think Columbus is as scary as you think. They lack playoff experience. They have been steadily improving all year by the look of their stats, but that could be from doing well in their own division, a luxury they will probably not have in the playoffs. Their road record is well under .500- BUT another philosophy of mine is to not make the mistake of underestimating ANYBODY, so we'll have to wait and see.

Columbus just beat calgary 6-0 I think it was, the other day.
Columbus and Chicago haven't been in playoffs, well, chicago for years, and
columbus, never, I wouldn't think it will work against them, and I don't give
vancouver any more of a chance in playoffs, luongo has only had a sniff at
playoffs, and many of our players have never been in playoffs, and the others
just a little, with very little success, although that series we played against Dallas
was a doozy, a goalies battle, as both played excellent, and we squeeked by them
in the 7th game.
Detroit won the cup last year, lots of playoff experience, and I won't be surprised if they are out in the second round.
San Jose have a monkey on their back, re: playoffs, so they have to fight their
way out of that. They have 'choked' the last two playoff series, when they were suppose to do something, as they were 'so' strong, maybe they will do better this
season, we'll see.
That's right, don't underestimate anybody, there is a recipe for winning the cup,
and no one really can control everything, even if they are the best on paper.

 

[talloola]

I will watch this score with added interest now. If Vancouver wins, I will be kind and allow you to sprinkle some seasoning on your shirt so it will be more tasty.;-):lol:

I will spread an edible shirt on, so that, after sprinkling flavouring on it, I
will enjoy it, or, maybe someone else will. I am out of my element here,
and getting very figity, but still smiling.;-)

 

[shadowshiv]

Columbus just beat calgary 6-0 I think it was, the other day.
Columbus and Chicago haven't been in playoffs, well, chicago for years, and
columbus, never, I wouldn't think it will work against them, and I don't give
vancouver any more of a chance in playoffs, luongo has only had a sniff at
playoffs, and many of our players have never been in playoffs, and the others
just a little, with very little success, although that series we played against Dallas
was a doozy, a goalies battle, as both played excellent, and we squeeked by them
in the 7th game.
Detroit won the cup last year, lots of playoff experience, and I won't be surprised if they are out in the second round.
San Jose have a monkey on their back, re: playoffs, so they have to fight their
way out of that. They have 'choked' the last two playoff series, when they were suppose to do something, as they were 'so' strong, maybe they will do better this
season, we'll see.
That's right, don't underestimate anybody, there is a recipe for winning the cup,
and no one really can control everything, even if they are the best on paper.

That may be true, but Columbus is losing to St. Louis right now(down 3-1 with more than half the 2nd period over), the same team that Vancouver lost to the other night. I think Mason is an excellent goalie(10 shutouts this season) but just having a good goalie won't win a series. They must also count on their offense and defense to help as well, and I don't think the offense for Columbus(besides Nash) is overly impressive.

 

[shadowshiv]

I will spread an edible shirt on, so that, after sprinkling flavouring on it, I
will enjoy it, or, maybe someone else will. I am out of my element here,
and getting very figity, but still smiling.;-)

No need to get fidgity, talloola. We don't seriously expect you to eat a shirt.:smile:

A hat will be good enough.:lol:

 

[shadowshiv]

And it looks like Toronto and Ottawa were both just eliminated from post-season contention.

Pogge sure sucked tonight. I really don't think that he is going to pan out.:-(

 

[shadowshiv]

Holy crap! Columbus has tied it up 3-3! And all three of their goals were Short-Handed goals!8O

ETA: Two of those goals happened during the same freaking penalty! I can't imagine how peeved off the St. Louis coach is because of that!

 

[shadowshiv]

Well, Calgary's goal-scoring drought is over. They scored twice in the first period and lead Minnesota 2-1 at the end of the first period. They had 20 shots, so I think they have woken up.

 

[shadowshiv]

Columbus lost 4-3 in the Shootout. They gained one point on Vancouver, but at least they didn't get two points.

Montreal lost to Buffalo in the Shootout, so now Buffalo is only 4 points behind Montreal for 8th place, and Florida(having won 6-3 over Dallas) is now tied with Montreal.

Close race!

 

[talloola]

Holy crap! Columbus has tied it up 3-3! And all three of their goals were Short-Handed goals!8O

ETA: Two of those goals happened during the same freaking penalty! I can't imagine how peeved off the St. Louis coach is because of that!

Don't ever underestimate columbus.
And, if St. Louis manages to get into the playoffs, they will be dangerous too, they
have better players than vancouver and columbus, and chris mason has been playing
great too, and they have a good coach.
If they get in, and play either san jose or detroit, they could win, as, right now they
are a better team than detroit and could give san jose a good fight.
Peaking is so important, at the right time, and St. Louis is doing just that. Not sure
who they play over the rest of the schedule, it will make a difference.

 

[talloola]

Columbus lost 4-3 in the Shootout. They gained one point on Vancouver, but at least they didn't get two points.

Montreal lost to Buffalo in the Shootout, so now Buffalo is only 4 points behind Montreal for 8th place, and Florida(having won 6-3 over Dallas) is now tied with Montreal.

Close race!

Yeah, it sure is, wouldn't mind seeing montreal out of the playoffs, so they will
get their act together for next year, there has been some mismanagement there
I think. Bob Gainey hasn't been too smart.

 

[talloola]

And it looks like Toronto and Ottawa were both just eliminated from post-season contention.

Pogge sure sucked tonight. I really don't think that he is going to pan out.:-(

It can take young goalies a long time to become NHL ready, and some not so long.
Tim Thomas is a good example, he played 8 years in the minors, and now is
one of the top goalies in the NHL, with Boston. They are shoving real young
players into the NHL now, because of low salaries, and some of them won't
be able to handle it, too much too early, and others can.
I just don't like to see players 'give up' on themselves, as they get so much
criticizm when they can't do it right away. Price is a good example, he is
a good goalie, but struggling, had early stardom, then inconsistency, he will
be fine if everyone just leaves him alone, or find a way for him to play down
in the minors for awhile.

 

[talloola]

today at 4:00



For the Canucks…

They say good things come to those who wait and, for Pavol Demitra, it has been a long wait at least as far as goal scoring is concerned. The frustration certainly seemed to boil over for the 34-year old in the second period of Friday night’s tilt in Colorado when he was denied on his third career penalty shot by Andrew Raycroft – his first penalty shot since February 28, 2004 in a game against the Canucks. However, the 6’0”, 200 lbs. right winger would eventually be rewarded for his efforts scoring his first goal in 11 games in the third period; his first goal since March 3rd against the Minnesota Wild. Demitra now sits at 299 career NHL goals and, with his next tally, would become just the seventh Slovak player to reach the 300-goal mark joining: Stan Mikita (541), Peter Bondra (503), Peter Stastny (450), Miroslav Satan (354 – currently in AHL), Zigmund Palffy (329), and Marian Hossa (336 – currently active in NHL).

The Dubnica, Slovakia native would love to score in back-to-back games for the first time since mid-February when he suits up against the Blackhawks tonight. He’s had some offensive success against Chicago so far this season netting three points (1-2-3) in three games including a two-assist outing in the last game back on February 7th. In 46 career games versus Chicago, Demitra has amassed 53 points (24-29-53) and 14 penalty minutes.For the Blackhawks…

If recent games have been any indications, it appears as if the Chicago Blackhawks will be hitching their wagon to Nik Khabibulin at least as far as the playoffs are concerned. The 36-year old netminder, who many believed was on his way out of Chicago when the Blackhawks signed Cristobal Huet in the summer, has started the last four straight games for the Blackhawks posting a 3-0-1 record. The four consecutive starts for Khabibulin marks the longest string of starts for either of the two Blackhawks’ goaltenders this season when both have been healthy at the same time.

The native of Sverdlovsk, Russia has been slightly better statistically compared to his French counterpart this season posting a record of 20-7-6 with a 2.50 GAA and a .917 save percentage along with one shutout. Should he earn consecutive start No. 5 tonight, he’ll be hoping for a much better effort than the last time he faced the Canucks when he came into the game in relief of Huet and went on to surrender four goals on 17 shots for the loss. In 25 career games played in against Vancouver, Khabibulin has posted a 6-15-2 record with a 3.36 GAA and a .889 save percentage along with one shutout.

Probably the biggest game for the canucks in 'recent' games, will set the tone
between these two teams. I don't feel good a bout it, as I haven't seen the
canucks play their best for awhile. They need all four lines going well. I
haven't seen that lately. I can't imagine Sundin keeping up with these
young, fast players, although he will probably be fine on the face offs, and
at least that gives us puck pocession.
If we can get to their goalie early, then we will make a point and get some
advantage, but same works for them, so our defense must be alert and quick.
No penalties, let them take them. But, when we get behind on the checking,
what will happen, sundin, demitra, pyatt, ohlund, the twins, then comes the 'hooking'.
Good luck canucks, you will need it.

GO CANUCKS GO

 

[JLM]

today at 4:00



For the Canucks…

They say good things come to those who wait and, for Pavol Demitra, it has been a long wait at least as far as goal scoring is concerned. The frustration certainly seemed to boil over for the 34-year old in the second period of Friday night’s tilt in Colorado when he was denied on his third career penalty shot by Andrew Raycroft – his first penalty shot since February 28, 2004 in a game against the Canucks. However, the 6’0”, 200 lbs. right winger would eventually be rewarded for his efforts scoring his first goal in 11 games in the third period; his first goal since March 3rd against the Minnesota Wild. Demitra now sits at 299 career NHL goals and, with his next tally, would become just the seventh Slovak player to reach the 300-goal mark joining: Stan Mikita (541), Peter Bondra (503), Peter Stastny (450), Miroslav Satan (354 – currently in AHL), Zigmund Palffy (329), and Marian Hossa (336 – currently active in NHL).

The Dubnica, Slovakia native would love to score in back-to-back games for the first time since mid-February when he suits up against the Blackhawks tonight. He’s had some offensive success against Chicago so far this season netting three points (1-2-3) in three games including a two-assist outing in the last game back on February 7th. In 46 career games versus Chicago, Demitra has amassed 53 points (24-29-53) and 14 penalty minutes.For the Blackhawks…

If recent games have been any indications, it appears as if the Chicago Blackhawks will be hitching their wagon to Nik Khabibulin at least as far as the playoffs are concerned. The 36-year old netminder, who many believed was on his way out of Chicago when the Blackhawks signed Cristobal Huet in the summer, has started the last four straight games for the Blackhawks posting a 3-0-1 record. The four consecutive starts for Khabibulin marks the longest string of starts for either of the two Blackhawks’ goaltenders this season when both have been healthy at the same time.

The native of Sverdlovsk, Russia has been slightly better statistically compared to his French counterpart this season posting a record of 20-7-6 with a 2.50 GAA and a .917 save percentage along with one shutout. Should he earn consecutive start No. 5 tonight, he’ll be hoping for a much better effort than the last time he faced the Canucks when he came into the game in relief of Huet and went on to surrender four goals on 17 shots for the loss. In 25 career games played in against Vancouver, Khabibulin has posted a 6-15-2 record with a 3.36 GAA and a .889 save percentage along with one shutout.

Probably the biggest game for the canucks in 'recent' games, will set the tone
between these two teams. I don't feel good a bout it, as I haven't seen the
canucks play their best for awhile. They need all four lines going well. I
haven't seen that lately. I can't imagine Sundin keeping up with these
young, fast players, although he will probably be fine on the face offs, and
at least that gives us puck pocession.
If we can get to their goalie early, then we will make a point and get some
advantage, but same works for them, so our defense must be alert and quick.
No penalties, let them take them. But, when we get behind on the checking,
what will happen, sundin, demitra, pyatt, ohlund, the twins, then comes the 'hooking'.
Good luck canucks, you will need it.

GO CANUCKS GO

I see you are ahead of me :lol::lol: I think they'll do all right.

 

[talloola]

As we approach the playoffs, in my opinion it is time to throw away all the stats
from the season, and focus on the last 2-3 weeks, and watch the teams who have
begun to rise to the occasion. Peaking is a big part of success in the playoffs.
I see teams starting to play with 'gusto', as though they 'are' in the playoffs, and
teams who do not have major injuries at this of the year.
Today St. Louis looks like the team of the hour, and I will take a look every day now, and watch to see if they continue what they are doing, and if they do,
they could go a long way in the playoffs, we'll see.
Playoffs are a brand new season, and right now is training camp for that time of
year.

GO CANUCKS GO

 

[Kreskin]

Wow, what a game.

 

[JLM]

As we approach the playoffs, in my opinion it is time to throw away all the stats
from the season, and focus on the last 2-3 weeks, and watch the teams who have
begun to rise to the occasion. Peaking is a big part of success in the playoffs.
I see teams starting to play with 'gusto', as though they 'are' in the playoffs, and
teams who do not have major injuries at this of the year.
Today St. Louis looks like the team of the hour, and I will take a look every day now, and watch to see if they continue what they are doing, and if they do,
they could go a long way in the playoffs, we'll see.
Playoffs are a brand new season, and right now is training camp for that time of
year.

GO CANUCKS GO

Pretty entertaining game considering it was so lop sided. Maybe the Canucks could improve on their passing a bit, but otherwise played pretty well and Luongo played very well. That has to be deflationary for Chicago going into a tantrum while they still had a chance and then not able to do anything on home ice. Canucks now have a great psychological advantage over Chicago.

 

[talloola]

Pretty entertaining game considering it was so lop sided. Maybe the Canucks could improve on their passing a bit, but otherwise played pretty well and Luongo played very well. That has to be deflationary for Chicago going into a tantrum while they still had a chance and then not able to do anything on home ice. Canucks now have a great psychological advantage over Chicago.

I was attending my grandson's 16th birthday party, so didn't see much of the game at all, a little bit of play by play on the computer. Seems like chicago
didn't show up at all. I wonder if Burrow's will get a game suspension, they said
that he 'pulled' hair, didn't see it.
I need a drum roll please, then I will do the 'shirt thing', oh oh, no I can't,
cause I'm wearing a sweater, too bad, your loss.;-)
Minnesota beat edmonton tonight, kept their place at 3 points out of 8th spot.
Edmonton are now out of the playoff race, for the moment.
St. Louis are in 8th spot now, as they beat columbus two straight, and they
are 1 point out of 7th.
Yes, this was big for canucks, and I am surprised that chicago didn't seem to
be really confident right from the puck drop, and that first goal 3 minutes
into the game, seemed to set the table.
What happened to the speed the pizzaz and goal scoring we have seen from
chicago all year, although we beat them last time 7-3, but they were at home
this time, and should have given their fans a better game. I'm sure not complaining, good for the canucks, they played well, and luongo got his 7th
shut out, just think how many he would have if he hadn't been injured for
so long.
We are tied with chicago now, one point behind calgary, and nashville are
only 2 points behind columbus now, so things are tightening even more.

Who only knows how it will end up, this is fun.