How about them Canucks!

[talloola]

Canucks played a very solid game tonight, and beat the columbus blue jackets.
Canucks looked sharp from the start of the game, and never looked back, even
though the score was 3-1, it could have been much more, but that very talented
Steve Mason stops most everything.
We are now 4 points up on blue jackets, and hold a solid 5 th place in the conference.
Minnesota is in town on tuesday.

Calgary had a very interesting game with tampa bay, I think the final score was
8-6 for tampa bay, a goofy game, and calgary played similar to us the other night
against tampa bay. Kipprisoff started the game, and was pulled at some point.

 

[shadowshiv]

A strange game indeed. Iginla broke the all-time record for points by a Calgary player, so that was cool.

Vancouver has picked the right time to go on a hot streak. At this time of year a lot of teams start getting fatigued and it is the time to start capitalizing on their mistakes by winning games that you may not normally win.

Speaking of capitalizing...Washington needs to pick up a goaltender before the deadline to be a true force to be reckoned with in the playoffs. Too bad they couldn't snag Clemmonson from New Jersey. He played superbly when Brodeur was out with his injury.

Second Monday in a row with only 1 game on tap. It's the Islanders vs Colorado. Wow, that has the makings of one stinker of a game.8O

 

[talloola]

Good for Iginla, one of my favourite players.
Yeah, Canucks are looking solid right now, wonder what they will do on trade deadline, hoping for a real good forward, we have lots of defencemen now, so
they can trade a couple.
We also have ripien practicing again, he is a good fiesty young player, if only
he can play without getting injured, we'll see.
Lots of rumours floating around out there now, looks like pronger is moving,
rumours has it that he will go back to St. Louis, I wonder.
I would imagine Washington will acquire another goalie on Wednesday.
I guess it will be movie night tonight, I think I will pass on the game.

 

[talloola]

While he and his teammates continue their push for a playoff berth, Henrik Sedin will also continue a personal quest tonight as he searches for his 100th career NHL goal. The 28-year old, who is the NHL’s third-leading active ironman coming into tonight’s game with 315 consecutive games played, is sitting on 99 career markers but has gone the last four games without finding the back of the net. The 6’2”, 190 lbs. centre’s last goal came back on February 19th against the Ottawa Senators as part of a four-point night. He did manage to snap a two-game point-less streak on Sunday with an assist on Sami Salo’s 5-on-3 power play goal in the first period against the Blue Jackets.

If the Ornskoldsvik, Sweden native is to reach the milestone tonight, he’ll have to do something he has not done this season. Despite leading his team in points against the Wild with six, Henrik has not managed to score a goal against them this season. In 48 career games versus Minnesota, Henrik has amassed 34 points (5-29-34) and 26 penalty minutes

This is my first year where I feel [worried] a little bit. I think the other years I didn’t have enough value. Teams were probably not asking for me. I would be really disappointed if I had to leave this team … I want to win a championship here, that’s how I feel. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stick around. - Alex Burrows responding to the trade rumours started on Hockey Night in Canada. (The for Henrik Sedin, all assists, against the Wild this season leading all Canuck Splayers. Minnesota’s Mikko Koivu leads all Wild players with four points, all goals, against tShe Canucks this season.

6 - Wins for the Wild this season against their Northwest Division rivals (6-8-2).

9 - Wins for the Canucks this season against teams from the Northwest Division (9-4-3).

12 - Wins for the Canucks this season when scoring three-or-fewer goals in a game (12-20-6). They are a much better 20-2-2 when scoring four-or-more goals.

19 - Wins for the Canucks this season when leading after two periods (19-0-3). They are just 5-17-1 when trailing after two periods.

19 - Wins for the Canucks this season when a defenceman scores a goal (19-5-2).

20 - Wins for the Wild this season when leading after two periods (20-1-1). They have just one win this season when trailing heading into the third period (1-18-2).

22 - Wins for the Wild this season when opening the scoring (22-8-1). They are just 8-18-4 when surrendering the first goal of the game.

23 - Wins for the Canucks this season when opening the scoring in a game (23-7-6). They are just 9-15-2 when allowing the opposition to score first.

28 - Wins for the Canucks when they hold their opponents to three goals or less (28-9-4). They are just 3-13-4 when allowing four-or-more goals.

87.8 - Percent penalty kill efficiency rate overall for the Minnesota Wild, the best in the NHL (excluding games played on Monday). The Wild also boast the best PK unit on the road, clicking at an 89.9 percent efficiency rate having surrendered just 11 goals on 109 times short-handed.

168 - All-time wins for the Canucks when Daniel and Henrik both record at least one point in the same game. The Canucks have an all-time record of 168-57-24 when both twins find the scoresheet in the same game. Vancouver’s record on the season when both twins record at least one point in the same game is 20-8-4.

246 - Consecutive sellouts for Vancouver Canucks hockey at General Motors Place entering tonight’s game. The sellout streak began on November 14, 2002 and includes 228 regular season games and 18 post-season games.

300 - Career games for Canucks’ forward Ryan Kesler. Kesler suited up in the milestone game on Sunday night and celebrated the occasion by scoring the game-winning goal – his 19th of the season, leaving him just two shy of tying a career-high for goals in a single season.


Game Notes on Canucks.com are compiled by Daniel Fung. Fung covers the Canucks for PA Sportsticker and is a regular contributor to Canucks.com. PlayerGPP

 

[talloola]

Big game tonight, the evening before the trade deadline, so the whole league is
buzzing about 'who' will stay on their teams and who will go.

Hope the canucks will bring in a good forward, and get wellwood out of the lineup,
and possibly pyatt too, although wellwood is the one most important to replace, he
is centering the third line, and doing a poor job, we need someone there who is
bigger and much more energy and drive.

Players are being put on the waivers today for teams to drop cap money, even
Brenden Morrison is on waivers. We just picked up Vaanenen from waivers so
now our team goes to the bottom of the waiver list and has to wait, and if they
do put in a claim for someone they have to wait for that player to become
available on that list.

The news is that, Pronger will be moved somewhere, and Boumeester too, but
no one really knows.

 

[talloola]

Great win tonight for the canucks, they got off to a bumpy start, when luongo and
wellwood did dumb things with the puck, and it ended up in our net.
Then a slapshot went in our net off of burrows foot.
Burrows got 2 goals, played a great game, was first star, and also signed a new
4 year contract for 8 million, so he had a 'good' day.

We play San Jose at home on Saturday, then we are off to L.A, then Anaheim, then back home to play L.A. again.

The team is flying high right now, they feel good about themselves, and even though they got behind by 2 early, they fought their way back and won the game.

GO CANUCKS GO

 

[JLM]

Great win tonight for the canucks, they got off to a bumpy start, when luongo and
wellwood did dumb things with the puck, and it ended up in our net.
Then a slapshot went in our net off of burrows foot.
Burrows got 2 goals, played a great game, was first star, and also signed a new
4 year contract for 8 million, so he had a 'good' day.

We play San Jose at home on Saturday, then we are off to L.A, then Anaheim, then back home to play L.A. again.

The team is flying high right now, they feel good about themselves, and even though they got behind by 2 early, they fought their way back and won the game.

GO CANUCKS GO

Yep, Talloola, things are looking better all the time. I missed the game, noticed it was 2/1 Wild at the end of the first and then fell asleep and when I woke up it was 4/2 Canucks- great nap. S.J. will a tough one, but one to look forward to as if they win it, it will be like "money from home" and if they lose, not that big a deal- although to win the Stanley Cup they may have to beat S.J. four times. :lol:

 

[talloola]

Yeah, san jose is a tough one, but just a few minutes ago calgary acquired
oli jokkenen from phoenix, so they have just made themselves stronger too,
and any team who makes it 'out' of our conference in the playoffs will have played great hockey.

Not sure if canucks are going to make any deals in the trade deadline or not,
it doesn shut down till12:00 noon, so there is time yet.

If we stay where we are in the standings, we will play chicago first, probably
a team who is on par with us, most of the time, and I think they are the
best team we could meet in the first round, and it looks like we will make the playoffs,
as we would have to totally fall apart now to fall to 9th place.

 

[talloola]

Gillis didn't pick up any players on trade deadline day, said he didn't want to give
up players he valued, and didn't want to spend the money, just to spend the money.
Sounds sensible to me, and if they do want bouwmeester from florida, he will be
a free agent july 1, they can negotiate with him, and maybe get him then, without giving up any players at all.

 

[Kreskin]

Unless there is a blockbuster talent to bring in he's probably best in not doing anything. It took the team a dozen games to regain itself when Sundin arrived. Too much risk to throw a wrench into the chemistry again, especially when doing so could be a cause for collapse at the exact wrong time. Staying the course is likely a guarantee to at least get to the playoffs..maybe even a surprise or two when there.

 

[talloola]

Unless there is a blockbuster talent to bring in he's probably best in not doing anything. It took the team a dozen games to regain itself when Sundin arrived. Too much risk to throw a wrench into the chemistry again, especially when doing so could be a cause for collapse at the exact wrong time. Staying the course is likely a guarantee to at least get to the playoffs..maybe even a surprise or two when there.

I guess Jay Bouwmeester would have been a blockbuster trade, as we would have
had to give up someone like Bieksa and another player on the team as well as
a first round draft pick, and gillis wasn't willing to do that, and I wouldn't
have done it either.
When Sundin arrived the team was not playing well at all, he didn't cause the
problems they had, they started before he came, he was just another problem
for awhile, as he wasn't in shape, and still isn't at the top of his game, the
team went down the toilet without him, and would have come back with or
without him, his little battle was within himself, and he had to endure the
irate fans who trashed him for not being the hero they expected right off
the bat. It's just a good thing he had been in toronto for so many years and
had the experience and mental toughness to fight through all of that without
bending, and finally the fans and media quieted down, but not for long, they
are just 'in waiting' for something new they can have a 'hissy' fit about, and
it will happen sooner or later.
I like the team right now, but I still don't expect them to win any stanley cup,
but it would be nice if they could win the first round of the playoffs, at least
it would be a step forward, the way they are right now they can do that, but
lets hope they don't get any more injuries, they are healthy now, except for
hansson, and he will be back soon, and it would be nice to see them finish
out the season healthy.
If media and fans had their way, vineault would have been fired back then,
and all of this fine recovery they have gone through probably wouldn't have
happened so smoothly, he is very good coach, and I'm glad they didn't lose him,
and we can thank Mike Gillis for that, he is a smooth calm logical thinker, and
he knew where the problems were, and as he explained on the media, the injury to luongo, along with other injuries, 'gradually' made their way into the core
of the team, and the slow return of the health of the team has gradually
made them better again, as simple as that, but through it all they have to
listen to all of the banter and ignorance that is hurled their way, and even
after all of that, the players will say, "I love to play in a city where the fans
love their team and their hockey". In my opinion the fans are either in a
state of paranoia and want to lynch the team, or they are in a state of such
euphoria they are planning the parade route, there never seems to be any
solid middle ground. I guess I'm just too realistic and logical.:-|


GO CANUCKS GO

 

[talloola]

tonight at 7
PlayerGPGAP+/-

For the Canucks…

Fresh off his 800th career game and scoring a highlight-reel goal on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild, Pavol Demitra has his sights set on yet another milestone in tonight’s game against the San Jose Sharks. The 34-year old sniper, who with 17 goals on the season has already surpassed his entire goal total from his last season in Minnesota when he had 15 tallies, is just two goals shy of his 300th career NHL goal. The 6’0”, 200 lbs. right winger currently has 39 points on the season (17-22-39) and his next point would give him his 11th consecutive 40-plus point season. He has not had fewer than 40 points in a season since becoming a full-time NHLer.

The Dubnica, Slovakia native’s goal on Tuesday snapped a four-game goal-less skid and he will now be hoping to score in a back-to-back games for the first time since February 10-12 when he goals in consecutive contests against the Blues and Coyotes. He will also be looking for his first point against the Sharks this season, having not managed a point in two games played. In 37 career games versus San Jose, Demitra has amassed 26 points (7-19-26) and 16 penalty minutes.For the Sharks…

On a team with no shortage of big-name superstars, Joe Pavelski has managed to put together a career-year almost entirely under the radar. The 24-year old, who was a seventh round selection back in 2003 by the Sharks, set a new career-high for goals in a single season by recording his 20th goal of the season on Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild. The third-year centre, who sits fifth on team scoring, has already surpassed his previous single-season high total of 40 points set last season entering tonight’s game with 47 points (20-27-47). The 5’11”, 195 lbs. forward is just 11 games shy of playing in his 200th career NHL game.

The Stevens Point, Wisconsin native is coming off his third two-goal game of the season albeit in a losing effort to the Wild on Thursday and his hoping to carry that momentum into tonight as he searches for his first goal of the season against the Canucks. He has just one assist in three games played against the Canucks so far this season. In 10 career games versus Vancouver, Pavelski has recorded five points (3-2-5) and four penalty minutes.

This will be a test tonight to see where Canucks are at this time, but san jose
have lots of injuries, including their starting goalie so they are not at their best
recently and have lost four in a row.
They gave up a 3-0 lead to minnesota the other night, and lost in overtime, and
minnesota was also a struggling team.
Hope it's a good game, it will be a canuck rehersal for playoffs.

 

[talloola]

Canucks are very healthy right now, and should ice a team which will give san jose
a very good game.
The only injury is Yanik Hansson, and he should be back soon.
Salo has played for quite a while now without injury, but I always feel a little
tentative about him, he has had so many lost games over the years, but I do
think he is our best defenseman, and they can't afford to lose him.

Rick Ripien is practicing now, and should be in the lineup in the near future.

GO CANUCKS GO

 

[talloola]

Good win for the canucks. 3-1 over san jose

 

[Kreskin]

I'm sure impressed with Kevin Bieksa these days.

 

[talloola]

I'm sure impressed with Kevin Bieksa these days.

Me too, when he has confidence he plays like a super star, but when the team
struggles, he takes on too much, tries to do too much, and seems very stressed out. He will learn how to handle that as he gets older I'm sure.

Luongo was at his best tonight too, and kesler had a great game, again.

 

[Kreskin]

Yes Kesler was tearing up the ice and Luongo was solid. Bieska does look very confident. Such a smooth skater and good puck handler.

 

[shadowshiv]

Vancouver is playing great right now. It is a shame the playoffs weren't starting right now, as the "top" teams are struggling and it would be the perfect time to face them.

San Jose needs to have Nabokov back. Since he's been gone they've played horribly.

Toronto sucked against Edmonton last night. They totally outshot them yet they lost 4-1. Horrible, horrible game. If they had won, they would only have been 5 back of Buffalo for 9th place, and only 6 points out of the playoffs. Buffalo lost last night, and the Leafs couldn't capitalize. Damn it!:angryfire:

Detroit got smoked again! They lost 8-2 last night. I said it before, and I will say it again. Detroit will not win the Stanley Cup this year. There are too many other good teams this year, and Detroit's goaltending is atrocious.

 

[talloola]

Vancouver is playing great right now. It is a shame the playoffs weren't starting right now, as the "top" teams are struggling and it would be the perfect time to face them.

San Jose needs to have Nabokov back. Since he's been gone they've played horribly.

Toronto sucked against Edmonton last night. They totally outshot them yet they lost 4-1. Horrible, horrible game. If they had won, they would only have been 5 back of Buffalo for 9th place, and only 6 points out of the playoffs. Buffalo lost last night, and the Leafs couldn't capitalize. Damn it!:angryfire:

Detroit got smoked again! They lost 8-2 last night. I said it before, and I will say it again. Detroit will not win the Stanley Cup this year. There are too many other good teams this year, and Detroit's goaltending is atrocious.

Yeah, the goalie poor play is definitely showing itself right now for both
san jose and detroit, but by the time playoffs come round, problems might
be gone, osgood has had great playoff runs in the past, so what we're seeing
right now might be forgotton by then, but after saying that I am surprised that
detroit hasn't addressed this goalie situation at the beginning of this season,
as they can't go on like this forever, depending on their team to play so well
it doesn't matter that they don't have top goaltending, so I'm sure they will
change things for next season. Wonder if they have some talented upstart
goalie in the minors or juniors who will be their next star.
San Jose looks so fragile right now, reminds me of the canucks a month ago.

As far as the canucks go, I am just worried that they won't stay healthy, as they
are right now, through to the end of playoffs.
They also have a third line that needs attention, wellwood was terrible again
last night.
Thought pyatt played an OK game, skated well (for him), and I thought bernier
played good too.
They just don't have anyone to replace wellwood with right now, and raymond
isn't playing well now either, so they can't use him there.
Maybe if the moose get knocked out later in their playoffs, they can bring up
someone from there, if they are allowed to at that time.

 

[talloola]

tonight at 7 or 7:30


Demitra511723409Alex Burrows6418173511

With his spot atop the franchise’s all-time points leaders list among defencemen solidified, Mattias Ohlund now looks to take sole possession of the franchise mark as he goes in search for point No. 322 tonight in the City of Angels. The 32-year old blueliner, who sits third amongst team D-men in points this season with 21 (4-17-21), recorded the milestone 321st point of his illustrious Canucks career on Saturday night with the first assist on Alex Edler’s marker at 3:15 of the first period. The 11-year veteran, who already sits atop the franchise list for most goals by a defenceman all-time with 91, currently sits tied with Jyrki Lumme (83-238-321) and Dennis Kearns (31-290-321) for the most all-time points by a Canucks defenceman.

The native of Pitea, Sweden has recorded two points in his last three games after snapping a five-game point-less drought. He will be looking for to record points in back-to-back games since mid-February when he had a three-game point streak. He will also be looking to get on the scoresheet against the Kings for the first time this season. In 38 career outings versus Los Angeles, Ohlund has amassed 17 points (2-15-17) and 32 penalty minutes.For the Kings…

There is no shortage of Kings’ players who would like a do-over of their 4-0 loss to the Canucks back on October 30th but you can put Alexander Frolov at the top of that list. The 26-year old former first round draft pick, who leads his team in goal scoring with 27 this season, had a glorious chance to tie that last game against the Canucks in the first period after being awarded a penalty shot but his attempt was turned aside by Roberto Luongo. The Canucks would go on to double their lead at 2-0 two minutes later and the rest is history. The 6’2”, 204 lbs. right winger would love nothing more than to make amends by recording his first point against the Canucks this season and concurrently extend his point streak to four games in the process. He enters tonight with five points (1-4-5) in his last three games.

The Moscow, Russia native is having yet another solid campaign on the scoresheet sitting second in points on his squad with 51 (27-24-51) in 65 games played. His 27 goals on the season marks the fifth consecutive season he has recorded 20-plus goals – the first Kings player to do so since Luc Robitaille had eight straight 20-plus goal seasons from 1986.87 to 1993.94. In 20 career games versus Vancouver, Frolov has recorded 12 points (7-5-12) and six penalty minutes.