How About ANOTHER Injury? Plus A Look At Tomorrow

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 20, 2009 12:54 PM PDT in Injuries Comment 45 comments

Is it 2007 all over again? Though it's not deemed serious, Rick Rypien (one of the few Canucks who is doing his job these days) has "tweaked" his man parts and skipped practice today. Rypien isn't exactly known for his durability, but Vigneault says it's not serious. In the meantime, relive Stortini's nightmare from last night one more time.

Getting Ripper back for tomorrow would be helpful since Chicago represents a huge test. First Luongo gets his first chance to throw that playoff monkey off his back. Secondly, the Hawks are one of the best teams in the league right now (5-2-1). We know they're gunning for the Cup before the cap squeeze hits them hard so it's measuring stick time, even more so than Calgary.

On the one hand, it's a tale of two snake bitten goalies too. Luongo's GAA (3.22) is ever so slightly better than Huet (3.25). Similarly, Luongo's dreadful save percentage (.879%) is also slightly better than Huet's (.844%). And both probably aren't too thrilled that Vancouver and Chicago rank first and second respectively in shots on goal.

Update - Eh, forget it. Niemi is in net.

Elsewhere Chicago has a solid edge, particularly on special teams:

Vancouver	Category	Chicago
8th (26.5%)	Powerplay	13th (23.3%)
19th (76.5)	Penalty Kill	5th (85.7%)
18th (2.75 g/g)	Goals For	7th (3.5 g/g)
19th (3.12 g/g)	Goals Against	13th (2.75 g/g)

There's been no need for must-win talk around here, but tomorrow's game sure comes close to it.

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Comments

Yeah, I think it’s very close to a must-win, not only because of the revenge factor, but for the sake of the team’s mentality as well. They are working hard but now need the results. Looks like Niemi is in net for the BlahCocks

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 20, 2009 1:03 PM PDT reply actions

Oh it he? Well, that helps my fantasy team. So there, new challenge Vancouver. Destroy my fantasy team. Go!

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 20, 2009 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions

*is he I meant

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 20, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Bad time for Rypien to go down. Hopefully he is able to dress against the Hawks, someone needs to teach Ben Eager’s face a lesson.

by Twincest on Oct 20, 2009 2:27 PM PDT reply actions

Eager is on the IR, I believe.

by cyxj on Oct 21, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

concussed.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 21, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions

concussed.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 21, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Baby

I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.

by Smoboy41 on Oct 21, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions

WTF?? what’s happening to our team???

http://canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
GO CANUCKS GO!

by missy on Oct 20, 2009 2:50 PM PDT reply actions

M’eh, it could be worse. Could’ve been Henrik!

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 20, 2009 2:58 PM PDT reply actions

I was so worried when he got that slash on the wrist yesterday.

by jozsef on Oct 20, 2009 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I actually had forgotten about that. Yeah, that was a scary moment.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 20, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I wouldnt call it a must win, I would however call it a “must show up” game. If the Nucks come out flat again and play perimeter, then we got serious issues. Reading Keslers comments and then comparin them to the way he and other “core” players played last night doesnt make sense.
In the big picture, we are definetely a playoff team, and we shouldnt be concerned with that. The weaker teams will start to slide down after awhile, and I know that we’ll start churnin out wins eventually. The apathy or lack of emotion is baffling though, especially from guys like Kesler who are heart and soul types.

by Nuckels on Oct 20, 2009 2:59 PM PDT reply actions

Keslers the problem? That is not working for me.

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions

? How so? Didnt you read his comments? You’ll have to make it work, Kesler is the unofficial leader of the young Nuck core and he hasnt been leadin. End of story.

by Nuckels on Oct 20, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

No i prefer to watch him play. I just do not see Kesler as part of the problem. If you do nuckets i am cool with that. I am not sure you will have big crowd following you there.

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope we shut them out so that I don’t have to hear Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis. I have already had too many a sleepless night with that song ringing in my ears. ahhhhhhh

by jozsef on Oct 20, 2009 4:14 PM PDT reply actions

Luongo should not start here

The man is struggling and is not up to the challenge. He has not been the same since that performance in Chicago last year. AV needs to acknowledge that let Ray take this one for the team and for Lou.

Lou will be begging to start. History indicates that Luongo may in fact be his own worse enemy. He takes on too much and it is up to the AV to save him from himself. He needs to start tomorrow night. It does not show a lack of confidence in Luongo it just makes sense.

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 5:16 PM PDT reply actions

You’re really suggesting RAYCROFT to start against the BLACKHAWKS?!

AKA: Linix129

by sw12 on Oct 20, 2009 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, don’t you want Raycroft in against the Leafs just to make that game more of a spectacle??

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 20, 2009 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions

yep and nope

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Feed Raycroft to the Leafs fans? Now that wouldn’t be nice.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 20, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Exactly :)

AKA: Linix129

by sw12 on Oct 20, 2009 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions

well let me revise that yes and yes if wins against the blackhawks.

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 6:34 PM PDT reply actions

I really think Luongo needs a rest and chance to step back out of the spot light.

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 6:35 PM PDT reply actions

here is where i am coming from

We have been playing Lou game after game hoping he comes out of his funk. It is not working.

Here is a thought let’s try something else. Rest him a game if Raycroft wins make it two games!! Stop treating him like the second coming of Christ, He is another effing hockey player, a damn good one when he is on, but a hockey player just the same. This worship cult is part of the problem. It puts huge pressure on Roberto and you can see it in his face he needs a rest and he needs some help. Why have a back up if you never us him?

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 6:44 PM PDT reply actions

He's not the second coming of Christ. He is god.

Sorry, couldn’t help myself

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 20, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I like it. When Luongo is on his game it is completely like that. I love super Luo too i hope he comes back soon. I just think this city needs to understand that right now for what ever reason he is not with us.

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree, he’s not with us mentally. But he needs a bit more time to get his mojo back.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 20, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Luongo has been improving the last coupla games. Yeah, he really had nowhere to go but up, so maybe it doesn’t mean too much, but it’s something, and he really needs to continue to work his way back to form. I’d play him.

by casual on Oct 20, 2009 7:25 PM PDT reply actions

I have been down on luongo and well just look at the stats he earned it. But don’t get me wrong i know he is he the real deal. There is something wrong with luo. Don’t you see that. It would be crazy to feed him to Chicago in the state that he is in. If has a bad a game it could be end of him.

We can not risk that. So I say play Ray. Let Luongo play Chicago when he is strong.

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions

OR, Lou is possessed and focused against the Hawks and it’s a positive turning point for him

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 20, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions

totally agree sean I just think it would not be wise to throw those dice.

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

I realize Lou’s .879 looks ugly but this early in the season stats get skewed quite a bit.

His first 3 game his SP was .818, .889, .667. All losses. Okay serious bed shitting here, team played like crap as a whole as well.

Next 5 games have been .964, .914, .737 (ugh), .944, .931. These are the type of numbers that should be almost automatic wins. The 737 was an obvious loss. The rest were wins, minus the 931 (oiler game) which no team wins scoring a single goal.

So, if you want to go off SP, I’d worry less about what Luongo is doing, and more about what is happening at the other end of the rink.

by kesrows on Oct 21, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Perfect. Nicely said kesrows. The biggest issue is team scoring. Still though, Lou is getting the stats generally, but he still looks a bit “off” to me. But what you posted there is encouraging

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 21, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions

I don’t disagree. It is just, afterall, 1 stat. I think he has been consistently improving. The tinge in my stomach I would get early in the season everytime the other team hit our blueline is almost gone.

by kesrows on Oct 21, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions

The tinge in my stomach I would get early in the season everytime the other team hit our blueline is almost gone.

haha, well said. I agree

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 21, 2009 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions

sean one more thing

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 8:14 PM PDT reply actions

great site for us canucks fans to argue on.

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 8:15 PM PDT reply actions

well I enjoy agreeing, disagreeing, rejoicing and mourning with all of you guys and girls. Thanks for hanging out :) We gotta stick together.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 21, 2009 12:47 AM PDT up reply actions

I hardly think a bad game against the Hawks is going to be “the end” of Luongo. I mean he’s done bad against them before.. I think if he is as mentally weak as you seem to say he is then the damage is done, since it’s way more of a blow to one’s self esteem to be rocked by a weaker opponent (Colorado) than a stronger one (Chicago).

by sfont on Oct 20, 2009 10:03 PM PDT reply actions

Yes that is the logical take on it. I think chicago is significant because of the lose last year in the playoffs. That lose seemed to have effected Luongo he has not been the same since. I would not chance it. He is too important of an asset just play Ray and let Luongo have some time off. It seems like a good time to me.

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 10:19 PM PDT reply actions

if it was anyother player say hordi or even kes that was this far off wouldnt you try something else. Ray has been great we have a decent chance with him and Luo needs a rest.

What am i missing here?

by Kelownakid on Oct 20, 2009 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I’ll bet you any money that Luongo WANTS to play against the Hawks. What guy with a competitive spirit wouldn’t want to? You gotta think Lou wants to make Game 6 a thing of the past.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 21, 2009 12:48 AM PDT up reply actions