On The Road Again: Canucks-Wild Preview
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 3:04 AM PST
in Game Preview
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PrintGAME TIME: 5:00 PST
TV: CITY TV (Yay Baseball is done, so it may be on Sportsnet as well.)
THE ENEMY: HOCKEY WILDERNESS
UPDATE: 1:37 PM PST: From The Province:
Team general manager Mike Gillis said the team will explore the feasibility of getting vaccinated during the Canucks’ five-game, 11-day road trip through the United States, where H1N1 vaccine may be more available through the country’s private, for-profit healthcare system.
No panic. Just cautionary stuff in light of Bernier's flu. Next up: another Elvis sighting, the anti-christ emerges, and the sky falls.
UPDATE: 12:04 PM PST: Here's a little nugget to store in your head: In the 4 games since RyJo went down, the Canucks went 10/12 on the PK... 83.3%. That stat from the Opiated Sherpa on Twitter.
UPDATE: 11:24 AM PST: Oh for the love of Mary, it appears that Steve Bernier is suffering from the flu and will miss tonight's game. The lines, according to Ben Kuzma at The Province look like this:
Burrows-H. Sedin-Bieksa
Raymond-Kesler-Samuelsson
Glass-Wellwood-Rypien
Hordichuk-Johnson-Pettinger
On D:
Mitchell-Ehrhoff
Salo-Edler
Schneider-Rome
Raycroft
No that is not a type-o. Kevin Bieksa on line 1. Wee! This is so fun! Hat tip to vancitydan for the heads up.
*********************************
After a huge and chaotic win over the Rangers on Tuesday, the Canucks hit the road for 5 straight games, including a back-to-back scenario tonight and tomorrow against the Stars. This isn't going to be easy. The Wild have won 2 straight games against the Rangers and the Penguins and have won 4 of their last 7. There is belief out in that neck of the woods that Minnesota has turned their game around.
However they currently sit last in the Western Conference with the Ducks achieving a 5-9-0 record thus far. They are 4-1-0 at home and a lousy 1-8-0 record on the road. This fate, and they sit 13th in the NHL on the power play (Canucks are 6th) and tops in the NHL on the penalty kill (88%). The Canucks' PK is ranked 19th (79%). It's 5-on-5 where the Wild don't succeed, as they rank last in the NHL in that department (Vancouver is 18th). If you analyze the stats by following those links you'll also see that the Wild do not score a lot of goals (2.14 per game average) and allow too many (3.00 goals per game.)
This is a Wild team that is in transition. Under former coach Jacques Lemaire's long-term regime, the Wild were told to play scrutinizing defence. New coach Todd Richards is trying to get them to open up a little.
As for the Canucks, some key players are close to returning. Both Roberto Luongo and Ryan Johnson (edit: AND Jannik Hansen) are on the flight out of Vancouver. With Mario Bliznak being sent back to Manitoba yesterday, there is a chance that Johnson could play. Edit: Apparently Henrik Sedin's foot is fine.
-The Canucks have established themselves as a good team at home (7-2-0) but have not had much success on the road either (2-5-0).
-There is a part of me that wasn't caring much about the injuries anymore the way the Canucks tightened up after the Ducks blowout several days ago. They are playing solid hockey in front of Andrew Raycroft now. Can they keep this intensity up? They'll have to against a terrific goalie in Niklas Backstrom.
-Ryan Kesler's 5 points in 2 games has everyone talking not only about him being a lock for Team USA (16 points in 16 games), but also for the captaincy to be handed to him. Trust me, I thought the same thing after the last game. Not going to happen though. Get over it.
-Can we please see Rick Rypien fight Derek Boogaard?
The Canucks won the first of 6 encounters with the Wild on October 17, 2-1. The next day the Wild traded prospects and a 2nd round pick in 2011 for Chuck Kobasew. He has 2 points and 5 shots in 7 games with the Wild. Ouch.
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I don’t know how many, but yeah. Channel 359 on StarChoice.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 8:54 AM PST up reply actions
I wondered the same thing… if it’s the same CityTV that we have near Toronto, it’s know more for shows like Blind Date than any sports…
...loving life for Christ's glory...
No no, it was a last resort if the World Series went 7. City TV will not have any further Canucks games on that I know of.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 11:43 AM PST up reply actions
I should have known. Had the World Series gone 7 games that would have been on Sportsnet. Now I believe it will be on both City TV and Sportsnet tonight, since the Phillies couldn’t beat the Payroll Yankees.
It may not be pretty, but expect more clogging, boring hockey that is brutally effective.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
especially against a Wild team that can’t score. As long as they win, I’m in. It’s tomorrow’s game that I’m concerned about.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 9:52 AM PST up reply actions
I’m not concerned about Dallas, they can beat them (I think) with this type of play. Next week though…Blues, Wings and Avs again is a tough stretch.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Nov 5, 2009 10:07 AM PST up reply actions
It’s the back-to-back thing with Dallas that has me concerned.
Hey! Looks like Balls is cleared to play! Hopefully his corsi rating doesn’t send the team into a downward spiral. I’ve missed his shot blocking. Now maybe the Keslord can do a little less of that. He is our star player after all
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 10:12 AM PST up reply actions
At our injury rate, no one should be blocking shots. Or rather SOB (whenever he plays again) and Hordichuk can.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Nov 5, 2009 10:20 AM PST up reply actions
I had a dream last night that every player was wearing a couple layers of foamies around their skates. The casualty rate of players being hit by point shots is a tad fucked up. What ever happened to the old “flamingo” move? haha.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 10:27 AM PST up reply actions
I’m always leery of guys coming back from a concussion. Even after they’re cleared by every molecular scan out there, they often seem to be out of sorts at first, as if something is still not quite right, something the tests and the scans don’t yet detect. And this happens in a lot of sports, not just hockey (e.g. look at the football qb ratings for guys coming back from a concussion; t’aint ain’t pretty sight).
The Canucks are playing well now. Let Johnson take just a few shifts to ease him back into the game and give Welly a few extra minutes to make up the diff.
Hey man, he’s called balls for a reason! Johnson is one of the craziest and toughest guys out there. He’ll be fine,
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 10:25 AM PST up reply actions
Only the doctors could hold Johnson back. I’m pretty sure he’s so old school that if he had a headache he wouldn’t say anything. Hell, the morning after his crash he showed up ready for practice. The guy probably wouldn’t wear a helmet if he didn’t have to!
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 10:36 AM PST up reply actions
That’s cuz they want him to fail. Why doesn’t he get more ice time from Gillisgan, huh? If only they cooed sweetly and put him out there with better linemates … but you sheeple will only accede, never criticize. He’s hurt, dammit and deserves special treatment no matter how he plays now.
[Wait! Whoa. What happened to me there? It’s like some force from the dark side took over for a moment! It’s OK, I’m better now.]
LOL
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
I hope Balls watched his teammates block shots and gets in there and coaches the fuckers.
Sedins-quit turning your feet fuckers!
Kes, same for you…use those shin pads buddy!
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
Yeah no doubt! Kesler has his moments of shot-blocking gold, but sometimes you almost cringe watching him do it.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 10:45 AM PST up reply actions
Wow Cas’…channelling your inner Yoata…or maybe Yank when he gets going?
LOL
Check out the lines from Kooz’ on White Towel.
Bernier has the flu, and Juice will probably be the 1st line right winger!
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
Jesus, this is getting outright embarrassing.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Nov 5, 2009 11:16 AM PST up reply actions
Wow, a D-man on the top line, every other line has at least one player who wasn’t here last year including a pair of minor leaguers, 3 other D-men who weren’t here last year, and a backup goalie who also wasn’t here last year.
Been that kind of year….
GM Place should play the Benny Hill song when the Canucks take to the ice.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Nov 5, 2009 11:28 AM PST up reply actions
This could be Hailey Wickenheiser’s best chance to crack the NHL!
by casual on Nov 5, 2009 11:34 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
thanks for that, I added it to the post. I’m numb to the whole injury thing now. It’s like a girl that does wrong to you over and over again…after a while it doesn’t hurt anymore.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
Any truth to the rumor that Bernier tried to give himself a flu shot but missed?
by casual on Nov 5, 2009 11:38 AM PST reply actions 4 recs
funny guy! there isn’t enough recommend buttons for you, my friend! haha
Imagine when he tries to wipe his ass.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 11:40 AM PST up reply actions
hey leave the Holy Bernier alone…ah forget it…
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Nov 5, 2009 12:28 PM PST up reply actions
I like Bernier, actually, and I expect him to break thru at some point and start potting more of his chances.
Sooner would be nicer than later, of course….
I have all but given up on Bernier to score consistently.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 12:31 PM PST up reply actions
don’t make him angry…you wouldn’t like him when he’s angry
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Nov 5, 2009 12:35 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah…but you still like her though…when you are honest with yourself, right?
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
Just think of it as a great opportunity to get to know the Canucks depth…The team hsa to be happy with how the unheralded guys are weathering it…
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
Absolutely. So maybe I’m both numb and confident.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 11:45 AM PST up reply actions
Let’s focus on beating Minny. We don’t want another team thinking they have a chance in our division, there’s too much crowding as it is.
by Beantown Canuck on Nov 5, 2009 11:43 AM PST reply actions
We could pull ahead of the Wild by 10 points tonight. The Wild have 2 games in hand.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 11:46 AM PST up reply actions
Could be fun though, huh yoata? He’ll be out there banging with Koivu or Hossa likely, though Minny does have the last change…
Just keep playing the simple game, keep that stick on the ice for a sweet Hank feed.
I am going out on a limb tonight and saying he gets a goal tonight as a forward…
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
just more AV guesswork, nothing new, his version of "coaching".
Now turn that frown upside-down for god’s sake! I suggest Bobby McFerrin records.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 11:58 AM PST up reply actions
“Good morning, Pooh Bear,” said Eeyore gloomily. “If it is a good morning,” he said. “Which I doubt,” said he.
“Why, what’s the matter?”
“Nothing, Pooh Bear, nothing. We can’t all, and some of us don’t. That’s all there is to it.”
“Can’t all what?” said Pooh, rubbing his nose.
“Gaiety. Song-and-dance. Here we go round the mulberry bush.”
I gotta admit, I am kinda enjoying this injury thing now, at least a part of me is. Or maybe I’m just punch drunk. I sure don’t want it to last, but hey, the team is pulling together, it’s fun to watch the juggling, and the injured guys’ll be back eventually….
Always look on the bright side of life! ♫ Why not?
Here you go…more I think about it, this should be a Canucks fans’ official song during this injured period…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9K4BKkLaCI&feature=fvst
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
Oh thanks. I needed that song in my head all day!
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 12:08 PM PST up reply actions
It’s sad that whenever I hear that song I think of Tom Cruise juggling booze bottles.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 12:09 PM PST up reply actions
Well…I like it…he looked OK out there the first game…and it probably will intimidate the Wild a bit…especially if they caught his wild eyed performance against the Rags.
Thats the Juice we all know and love.
Hell…I am changing that prediction to a Gordie Howe Hat Trick!
;-)
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
“Wup wump whoop wump wump”
Sorry if you couldn’t understand what I was saying. I had a mouth full of AV Koolaid
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 12:00 PM PST up reply actions
We’re 8-4 without our best goalscorer, and we’re 3-1 without our best goalscorer or goalstopper (or shotblocker). I’ll drink that koolaid too.
by Beantown Canuck on Nov 5, 2009 12:11 PM PST up reply actions
Gillis Koolaid is pretty good too. Grape. The best.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 12:15 PM PST up reply actions
Well…I add a little Stoli to mine…but yeah…tasty…
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
Let’s put both Schneiders as the the third pairing too.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
The Old Geezer-Red Headed Stepchild pairing. Nice
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 12:33 PM PST up reply actions
"the the"
Sheesh.
Moe: What? You have a straight flush, Homer! Ya do this every time! Arrrgh-eeengh-gah! Choking on my own rage here!
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Nov 5, 2009 12:34 PM PST up reply actions
-bieksa on line 1? INSANITY!!!
-yay for balls being back
-hank’s foot is fine? thank goodness!
-sportsnet pacific was going to have the game anyways
-a little something i noticed about last game’s “brawl”: did anyone else notice that the 3 canucks players that got 10 minutes each (burrows, bieksa and o’brien) were the same ones that did the majority of the fighting in the line brawl in chicago last year?
http://canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
GO CANUCKS GO!
except Burrows didn’t pull anyone’s hair this time :) Not that I saw anyway
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 12:44 PM PST up reply actions
You know…I said it several times when it happened…but why does that get so much play?
Yeah yeah…I know its kind of a sissy thing to do.
But no one gives Keith any stick for sticking his greasy dirty fingers in our hero’s mouth and fish-hooking him…
Some one is clawing in my mouth, I would do the same thing.
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
did anyone else notice that the 3 canucks players that got 10 minutes each (burrows, bieksa and o’brien) were the same ones that did the majority of the fighting in the line brawl in chicago last year?
Same officials?
…and then i noticed that you guys already posted it elsewhere.
http://canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
GO CANUCKS GO!
Michael Peca
Random, somewhat unrelated thought…what do you guys think about perhaps offering a contract to Michael Peca? Could it hurt? At least he actually IS a forward…(I say that with all requisite love for Bieksa, and I enjoy seeing him up front).
I’ve always been a Peca fan. That’s a pleasant thought, but he may just be damaged goods now. His body must be ailing.
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 1:27 PM PST up reply actions
He admits there have been a few nibbles, but he’s a little choosy right now. If the call comes he wants it to be from a team that has a shot at winning.
“I think I’ve earned that,” said Peca, one of the few players ever to captain more than one team in the NHL (Buffalo and the Islanders). "I understand if there are people who don’t agree with that or think that maybe I’m being selfish, but at this point in my career it’s all about having another chance to win (the Stanley Cup).
-That from Sportsnet
by Sean Zandberg on Nov 5, 2009 1:30 PM PST up reply actions
Pretty sure if Peca wasn’t chronically injured, he would already have an NHL contract somewhere…
The earliest use of the word with the spelling we recognize today is found in "L'Acadie: or Seven Years' Exploration in British America" by James Edward Alexander, published in 1849:
We also met a lusty fellow in a forest road with a keg of whisky slung round him who called to us 'Come boys and have some grog, I'm what you call a canuck"
The next day the Wild traded prospects and a 2nd round pick in 2011 for Chuck Kobasew.
Seems like the future is looking pretty bright for the Bruins.
Bring me Stanley. Alive if possible, dead... just as good.
by King Luongshanks on Nov 5, 2009 3:17 PM PST reply actions
They gotta watch the cap, tho; that’s how they lost Kessel (who’s a good player, but I still wonder if Burke shouldda got a better deal considering the Bruins had to trade him anyway). Those wee little gains that a GM gets, where players give a cap hit discount vis a vis their market value (e.g. Luongo, the twins), add up over time. Thems that don’t do it end up losing good players for nothing. Why hello, Mr. Ehrhoff; how’d you get here?
Everyone keep reminding Keslord this point! How much do we think we can sign him for? If we can get him for $4.5 mill a year, that would be lovely. Not going to be doable if he stays a point a game though I don’t think.
by Beantown Canuck on Nov 5, 2009 4:13 PM PST up reply actions
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