Lightning come to GM Place: Nucks and Bolts

by Sean Zandberg on Mar 6, 2007 10:00 AM PST

Tonight's game is a rarity. The Lightning and Canucks have not played eachother for over 3 years. But both teams have a few things in common.
The Nucks and Bolts are both in tight races to hold onto their top spots in their respective divisions. The Lightning have Atlanta breathing down their necks in the Southeast Division. The Canucks have held off both Calgary and Minnesota for top spot in the Northwest since February 10. Worthy of applause.
The Lightning have 38 wins, the Canucks have 37.
The Lightning are 11-3-2 since January 30. The Canucks are 8-1-1 since February 10.
The differences between the two teams? The Canucks have a world-class goalie and the Bolts don't. Marc Denis struggled in his last outing in Florida, as the Panthers squashed them 6-2. The Canucks beat the Wild 4-3 in a super-emotional game in their last outing.
So, what to expect? No damned idea. The Canucks will have to clog up the neutral zone and not give Lecavalier, St. Louis, Richards, and Prospal any chance to get a skating game going. Vancouver is good at that. They will also have to stay the hell out of the penalty box. Tampa is a powerplay threat, no doubt, and the Nucks' PK is going south all of a sudden.

Prediction?
5-4 Canucks. We have had great success against Eastern teams this season (6-2).

Canucks Notes:

Apparently, Rick Rypien may play tonight.

Patrick Coulombe has been assigned to the Victoria Salmon Kings

It appears that Luongo and Sabourin could be splitting goaltending duties more often from this point on in order to keep Luongo fresh for the playoffs.

"I feel like I could play every game from here on in," Luongo said. "I feel good. Last year at this time, I was very fatigued mentally and physically and, right now, I don't feel like that at all. I guess the playoff drive is keeping the energy level up and the excitement going."

Sabourin could get the start in goal for the Canucks on Thursday against the Coyotes. But he could start tonight if Luongo is still suffering from the flu. Vigneault is not revealing his answer yet today.

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Comments

Dammit! A win prediction by you almost certainly dooms us :-)

I went with 6-1 on the Canucks.com forum, and I'm sticking to it.

Chants of "MVP MVP MVP" will be screamed throughout GM Place, and they will not be directed at Lecavalier. Tom Larscheid will emphatically say:

"Whoooa Shorty! You know what they are chanting... and you know who they are chanting for... it's Roberto Luongo, our MVP! HOO HOO HAA HAAAA HOOOOOO!!!!!"

by Temujin on Mar 6, 2007 11:49 AM PST reply actions

6-1 for the Lightning, right? Sounds good to me.

by matt on Mar 6, 2007 12:38 PM PST reply actions

I know! I should quit predicting!
OK, then I say the Lightning will win 8-0.

by Sean Zandberg on Mar 6, 2007 12:38 PM PST reply actions

Nah, the Flames and Wild are going to lose tonight.

by Sean Zandberg on Mar 6, 2007 12:40 PM PST reply actions

Hey, I know we talked about this lots of times before, but I found a complete video of Adams scoring his GWG in game 5 against the Leafs in '94. Not sure if you ever found a good vid or not...

Here it is, complete with Jim Robson going batshit insane. It's the best clip of the goal I've ever seen.

Assisted by Babych and Linden :-)

by Temujin on Mar 6, 2007 12:48 PM PST reply actions

Those Vancouver radio guys are the worst "homers" I've ever heard. I struggled through listening to one game at work one day.

by Matt on Mar 6, 2007 1:55 PM PST reply actions

No way, Matt. The Americans are much worse!!!!

Jin, I really don't want to watch that clip....ever again! :) Poor Potvin. And lousy coverage by Dave 'The Slug' Andreychuk.
Fricken rebound goals!!!

by Sean Zandberg on Mar 6, 2007 2:02 PM PST reply actions

Matt is finally realizing that his team is full of lack luster talent, lack laster goaltending, lack luster defense, and a lack luster coaching staff.

But don't lose heart Matt, there is plenty of room on the Canucks Wagon for you. Cross over to the Good Side! Your children's future may depend on it :-)

by Temujin on Mar 6, 2007 2:06 PM PST reply actions

Raise your children in the training and instruction of the Luongod!

by Sean Zandberg on Mar 6, 2007 2:12 PM PST reply actions

Never, Never!!!! I didn't waver in my 10 years in BC and I'm not about to now. The Canucks are due for a major slump. Lets hope it starts tonight! Heck, a bad enough run of losses and maybe the Oilers have a shot at getting in again! Okay, I take that last part back. Maybe the Avs can sneak in! Luongo is due for a few Cloutier-esque games, isn't he???

by Matt on Mar 6, 2007 2:26 PM PST reply actions

Maybe a few, but not all at once!!!!
It's never too late to convert by the way. I'd rather be atheist than pray to the Kippergod. He lets his followers down too much!

I kid. Matt, the Flames are looking good in all honesty. And they look to be getting their road game together just in time.

I won't write Calgary off in the playoffs this year at all. As long as someone takes out Detroit and Nashville...

by Sean Zandberg on Mar 6, 2007 2:30 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, I hear ya. I wouldn't want to face Nashville in the first round. Detroit always seems to be knocked off by a lower seed, so they don't scare me. If the playoff started today, the Flames would meet the Ducks (again), and it would be a Canucks/Sharks matchup.

by Matt on Mar 6, 2007 2:50 PM PST reply actions

Luongo is due for a few Cloutier-esque games, isn't he???

How dare you sully the good name of our saviour? I won't stand for it!

Canuck fans... JIHAD!!!!!!

The Flames are going to get "Stempniaked" tonight!

by Temujin on Mar 6, 2007 3:01 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, the Blues don't need Tkachuk Fuck and Guerin to win games!

by Sean Zandberg on Mar 6, 2007 3:33 PM PST reply actions

No way! They finally won in a shootout last week. I think they're going to be gold from now on! Flames 2 Blues zeeeeero!

by Matt on Mar 6, 2007 4:14 PM PST reply actions

NICE :)
COWAN = Unbelievable !

by Jenny on Mar 6, 2007 10:30 PM PST reply actions

Damned Flames!!! Why couldn't they lose??

by Sean Zandberg on Mar 6, 2007 10:47 PM PST reply actions

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Canucks Stats

Stat	Forwards	Defense
Points	H. Sedin (52)	Edler (34)
Goals	D. Sedin (20)	Edler (7)
Assists	H. Sedin (41)	Edler (27)
Shots	D. Sedin (159)	Edler (131)
Hits	Lapierre (136)	Edler (97)
Blocked Shots	Kesler (38)	Edler (72)
ES TOI/G	H. Sedin (14.45)	Bieksa (17.75)
PP TOI/G	D. Sedin (3.56)	Edler (3.60)
PK TOI/G	Malhotra (2.63)	Hamhuis (3.08)
Corsi Rel QoC	Burrows (0.975)	Bieksa (0.951)
Zone Starts (OPCT)	D. Sedin (80%) Malhotra (13%)	Edler (58%) Tanev (36%)

Updated: January 22

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