Wingless Ducks Pay Canucks A Visit
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 12:00 AM PST
in Game Preview
132 comments
Ducks (12-13-7) vs Canucks (19-14-0)
GAME TIME: 7:00 PST
TV: TSN
THE OPPOSITION: Battle of California, Anaheim Calling
UPDATE (4:00 PM): Word is that Rypien will move up to the 3rd line to center Glass and Bernier.
UPDATE (1:15 PM): The Canucks are not taking the Ducks lightly, plus, Jonas Hiller will start in goal for the Quacks.
*****************************
You probably know this already, but Kyle Wellwood will be a healthy scratch against the Ducks. Alain Vigneault stated that he wants to ice a grittier team against the Ducks. So Darcy Hordichuk will most likely draw in. Wellwood said after practice on Tuesday that he isn't surprised he's riding the pine because he didn't have a great game against the Kings and was on the ice for their lone goal. Wellwood only played 9:38 and was a -1. I wonder where the Canucks' patience level is with him. Time is running out for the pint-sized slumping center.
The Canucks are looking to win 4 in a row for the first time this season. They seem to have found their groove back. Their home record is now a stellar 13-4-0. They have outscored their opponents 11-6 in the last 3 wins. Speaking of the number zero, their zero points in the overtime loss section continues to be an eyesore. They sit in 10th spot in the West while being 5 games above 500. Dallas, who has 10 overtime-shootout losses, sits in 9th.
More after the jump..
Detroit, who sits in 8th spot, 1 point ahead of the Canucks, has 5 OTL's. The Canucks' 104 goals for ranks them 3rd in the West. Their somewhat impressive 85 goals against ranks them 3rd best in the West. Their 19 wins ties them with San Jose, Colorado, Calgary, Nashville and Phoenix. That is a 6-way tie for most wins in the Conference. It's frustrating to look at, but it is what it is. They just have to continually plug away and get into the playoff hunt. These wins are going to count for something (like a tie breaker perhaps) towards the end of the season.
Speaking of madness: the Ducks' 12-13-7 record puts them at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, only 8 points out of a playoff spot. They have won 2 of their last 3 games after losing 5 straight. They have had 4 days off since beating Columbus 3-1 on the 12th.
Despite losing Teemu Selanne (broken hand) and Joffrey Lupul (back issues) recently, the Ducks may be turning a corner. They are finally getting scoring from the second line (sound familiar?), and at lot of that has to do with some guy named Dan Sexton, the Ducks' undrafted free agent signing who they recently called up due to the Selanne injury. He and Koivu are clicking. Sexton has 4 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 games. Koivu has 2 goals and 3 assists. Bobby Ryan has 1 goal and 4 assists. These guy have carried the Ducks over the past few games, as the top line has cooled off.
Jonas Hiller, who stopped 35 of 36 shots against the Blue Jackets last game, may get the start for the Ducks. However, he has been anything but stellar this season.
Corey (Canuck-Killer) Perry has 4 goals and 12 points in his last 5 games against the Canucks.
The last time the Canucks played the Ducks was October 30th in Anaheim: a 7-2 loss as poor Andrew Raycroft and Cory Schneider were hung out to dry. The Canucks had built an early 2-0 lead in that game and then completely crumpled. Time to make amends for that travesty!
COMPARATIVE STATS
GOALS PER GAME AVERAGE: Canucks 4th, Ducks 16th
GOALS AGAINST PER GAME: Canucks 8th, Ducks 25th
5 on 5: Canucks 3rd, Ducks 16th
POWER PLAY: Canucks 2nd, Ducks 4th (uh-oh)
PENALTY KILL: Canucks 21st, Ducks 24th
SHOTS PER GAME: Canucks 12th, Ducks 22nd
SHOTS AGAINST PER GAME: Canucks 10th, Ducks 27th
FACE OFF PERCENTAGE: Canucks 11th, Ducks 22nd
If you are new here, some of us predict the scores, winning team and winning goal scorer each Canucks game. The leaderboard is on the left sidebar on the main page. Bragging rights! And I got 'em so far!
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Hey, I wouldn’t complain about having no overtime losses when the Canucks are on a winning streak. If the Canucks ever lose, then complain.
As for the game, Canucks are going to walk over the Ducks and their terrible goaltending. 5-1 win.
Am I complaining? I said “it is what it is”. Yeah, the losses are the ones that matter. Like I’ve said before, they have to make successful comebacks when behind in the 3rd to force OT for that extra point.
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 12:31 AM PST up reply actions
Unless Lu starts. In which case, 63-0.
by Passive Voice on Dec 16, 2009 2:49 AM PST up reply actions
Sure, I'll bite.
I assume Bobby Lou is going to start? I’ll say 5-2 ’Nucks, winning goal scorer Wellwood.
Unleash the Alex!
Canucks win 5-3.
Hat trick from Burrows. Two from Raymond.
Bieksa eats Perry.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 7:51 AM PST reply actions
Bieksa eats Perry
And Wellwood looks on jealously from the press-box.
by nucksandpucks on Dec 16, 2009 12:04 PM PST up reply actions
I have a feeling Wellwood will take the Ovechkin diet of tons of nachos. This is assuming that they serve nachos at GM Place.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 12:14 PM PST up reply actions
Nachos, yes. It’s the alleged cheese they use that scares me.
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
OK, I’ll bite. What?
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
5-1 Canucks.
All goals will be scored by players whose names start with S.
by Beantown Canuck on Dec 16, 2009 8:07 AM PST reply actions
I hope the Canucks still remember October, when they were blown away 7:2 by the Ducks. I was at the game in Anaheim, and I was embarrassed to wear the Canucks jersey on that evening. It was the first time I took my 6 years-old son to a Canucks game, and he was almost crying, because of the the lound horn that sounded every time the Ducks scored. After the 5th goal, some of the Ducks fans laughing at the Canucks and making bets that it will be 7 and the end. Sure enough, there was 7.
So, REVENGE is on my mind tonight.
Los Angeles, CA
I see you’re signing your artwork now, Sean. Interesting choice for a duck-huntin’ rifle, too; what, no stun grenades? ;)
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
Nothing beats an AK-47! I was going to put a bottle of spiced rum in his other hand. haha!
Yeah, I sign my photoshops just for credit’s sake. I don’t care if people use it elsewhere.
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 9:34 AM PST up reply actions
Yes, very practical weapons indeed.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
you have a bigger pic than that? haha (Squints)
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 11:39 AM PST up reply actions
Forgive my negativity, but the stinkin’ Ducks nearly always seem to be more than the Canucks can handle. 4-1 Ducks, Perry lighting it up.
/hangs head, feels shame.
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
Nah, I was just going to come on here and make some smug remark about nobody picking the Ducks yet….and there you were.
The PK last game was a lot better. We are going to need the same for tonight. We also need to get under their skin early, and not the other way around.
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 9:36 AM PST up reply actions
It’s cuz they forecheck so hard and block the boards so well; Carlyle knows us.
Canucks stick to the boards too religiously in getting the puck outta their own zone and so the Ducks get lotsa extra cycles going that way. If we do a few more outlet passes and maybe skate the puck outta our zone more often, we could counter it.
On the plus side, at least the Canucks seem to have started forechecking a little more when they have the lead these last few games, instead of falling back into a total 1-forechecker-only shell. That shell against a strong forechecking opponent, combined with the predictable breakout strategy of throwing the puck up the boards, was like a recipe for keeping the puck entirely in our zone while we tried to play “mistake-free” hockey forever. Ugh.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
for the very first time, my algorithm gives the opponent a slight edge on us (3.0-3.1), but since my outputs can only vary by multiples of 0.1, i think this one is small enough to ignore.
4-3 canucks, keslord with the winner, and hopefully an A+ on the statistics final i have to write during the game.
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
Does this mean that your alg puts a lot of weight on previous meetings between the two teams? All other factors favor the Canucks in this one -the stats, the home ice etc – so I presume you must be giving a lot of weight to previous meetings.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
nope. it’s more based on how each team has done against their last 5 opponents before this game.
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
Random Wellwood Trade Thought
Is there any reason we wouldn’t offer him for pretty much any draft pick to the Senators? Assuming they’d take the rest of his salary, he would be a decent stopgap for them with Spezza out.
I honestly would take a 7th round pick if they took the salary and cap space off our hands.
Replace a scorer w/a non-scorer? Hmmm. I could see trading Welly to someone who needs a defensively-minded centreman for 5-10 minutes a game, but at this point I think the onus has shifted to Welly to prove that he can still produce points.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
I see Welly going to the AHL and then fading away into buffet oblivion
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 11:41 AM PST up reply actions
Sad to think he was more productive when he was out of shape.
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
yes….that is a pathetic thought. Someone feed him a cake!~
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 11:48 AM PST up reply actions
That’d be a good name for the new Saskatoon team one day: the Saskabush Buffets.
Sure it’s stupid, but the jerseys’d sell!
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
with prawns and butter on them…yummy chinese food buffets!
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 2:38 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, but on 2nd thought I suddenly realized the league might nix any name that shortened to “bush buffet” on grounds of, well, prudish concern.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
All the more reason for the team to be made. If Wellwood ever goes to this hypothetical team and captains it, they can be called “Wellfed’s Bush Buffet” and it will be glorious.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 3:01 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
hansen’s a winger. and besides, until now we’ve had 2 centers (rypper and rj) on the 4th line.
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
I think
he could play 3rd line pivot though, we’ll see if RRumble can be effective in that role, or if he can even stay on the ice long enough!
I’m always concerned when the canucks play a bottom feeder team…cuz for as long as I can remember, if the canucks are doing well, they meet a bottom team and they play with so little heart they lose. Having said that, I don’t think that’s happening this time. 4-2 Vancouver, I’m going to stay with my defensemen track and go Bieksa with the winner again.
Since everyone is going with a high scoring game I am going to buck that trend. 2-1 Canucks. Burrows with the GWG, maybe in OT.
Low scoring sounds good to me.
I will go with 3-1 Canucks and Daniel with the winner. Although this one does have letdown written all over it. Honestly Beiksa worries me – he could have another one his aren’t I great defensive brain cramp nights.
No worries. SOB will be there to save the day.
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
He’s been good lately! Or were you being serious?
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
So Orrhoff is +16? Did I read that right? That’s pretty impressive. Looks even more so when it is next to Edler’s +/-
That trade just keeps looking better and better.
3rd in the league too.
it was tied for 2nd with ovechkin yesterday, but ovechkin must have had a +1 last night.
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
Most people are gonna be even or + when they’re on the upside of a stomping like the Avs got last night.
Unleash the Alex!
hard to take Ehrhoff at all when he had such a shitty +/- last year. Hell we didn’t know what to expect from him. He was dubbed Errorhoff by Sharks fans and I just haven’t seen many errors
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 3:22 PM PST up reply actions
they Sharks preached D too. Was Ehrhoff checking the top lines in San Jose? He’s not doing that here is he?
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 3:57 PM PST up reply actions
He was on the second pairing with Blake last year, around 21-22 minutes per night. So he was getting scoring line duties, but not top line.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 4:16 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, he was playing with a shitbag named Blake….holding him back a screwing up his stats! haha
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 5:03 PM PST up reply actions
His prev year’s +/- totals on a good Sharks team were 4, 10, 8, 9, -12
Now he’s +16 already, which indicates that the Canucks did a smart job of scouting him beforehand as a good fit for this team, one whom they could help to improve.
Kudos too to the coaches for helping Ehrhoff raise his game. I’ve been critical at times of AV’s defensive tendencies, but for player development, he’s quite good w/most of the guys. I never got much of a chance to evaluate Ehrhoff as a Shark. Has anyone here got a good handle on it, can they tell us whereEhrhoff has improved his game a.o.t. his time in SJ?
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
Does anyone know where I can find a version of the NHL standings that shows how many over time WINS a team has? It seems like this would be useful information to know but I can’t find a site anywhere that lists OTW and I have been searching for 20 minutes.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20102ALLAAAAll&sort=otWins&viewName=overtimeRecords
we’re at the bottom of the list. turns out we’ve only been to overtime twice this season.
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
Can you get what you need from the shootout stats?
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
Standings if you got 3 for a reg. win, 2 for OT win and 1 loser point
1. LA – 62
2. Col – 60
3. Nash – 57
4. SJ – 61
5. Cal – 57
6. Chi – 56
7. Van – 55
8. Pho – 54
=====
9. Det – 51
10. Dal – 48
11. Edm – 45
12. CBJ – 45
13. Min – 44
14. Stl – 43
15. Ana – 39
Canucks are just 5 points off the division lead in this scenario which isn’t much when you can get 3 points for a regulation win. That’s just two wins off the top of the division. And we have played 3 less games than Colorado. Currently we would have to win all 3 games to tie them for the lead in the division. Under a points system that makes sense we would only need to win 2 of the 3 to claim top spot. Of course in both scenarios Calgary also has a say.
I think this is a more equitable system than the one the league currently employs. What do you all think?
Sure it’s better. Currently, Dallas at 14-18 is tied with us at 19-14. That’s insane. Like I said in a previous comment, if the current formula is so wonderful, why not use it for the playoffs as well? As if.
3/2/1 is fine by me. It encourages teams to win their games in regulation instead of sitting on a tie to guarantee a pt.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
The thing is the NHL thinks the current system helps keep more teams in the race. And on the surface of it the standings do look closer under the current system. But if you are 6 points out of a playoff spot with 10 games left you are basically done. It’s too easy for the teams ahead of you to get points.
Exactly right. And it doesn’t matter to the league if they are realistically out of it, it matters that they are still seemingly in the race for the playoffs. Better marketing and more exciting and what not.
Personally I couldn’t care less if the the league used a 3/2/1 system or 10/7/3 system, I just want every single game to be worth the same amount of points. Enough with this phantom point.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 2:59 PM PST up reply actions
Quite right my good man. It’s a case of pandering to the casual fan. Which kind of makes sense business wise but I don’t see other leagues doing it as much. Provide great content and entertainment value during each game and fans will come. Bettman’s point system is like trying to lure fans into liking hockey with candy and puppies.
What about tossing points out completely and going with percentage like the NFL and MLB do?
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
I would be OK with that but you would have to do away with the SO. Go back to ties. I mean, the SO would be like the NBA playing HORSE rather than going to double OT. It’s a very small aspect of the game of hockey and if percentage is the way it went then the SO would have an even bigger bearing on the standings than it does now.
10 games left = max 20 pts, Realistically you might get 16 or those with a big push
So to make up 6, the other team, the one you are chasing, would have to get 10 or less. If they went 4-3-3, they’d get 11.
You’re right, it’s damn near impossible to catch up.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
Yeah it’s fake parity. Plus when did having 30 mediocre teams start being better than having 5 or 6 dominant ones? I am loving the NFL this year since every week it seems a dominant team is playing another top team. Those big match-ups are fun for us neutral fans.
Let’s say you went 7-1-2 to get those 16 points and all 7 of those wins were in regulation. In a 3/2/1 situation you would have gained 23 points in that time span. The team you were chasing would have get 17 points or at least 5 wins and 2 OTL’s. So roughly 5-3-2 to hold you off. It just gives teams a slightly better chance to make up ground. Still hard but at least possible.
I think the Canucks’ “patience level” with Wellwood has more to do with how poorly or decently their face offs are, as evidenced last game.
Another thing about Woody is how good he is in his own zone. I’ve seen multiple times where our D is ‘trapped’ in there and Woody skates in, takes the puck and makes a great pass out of the zone. Maybe he should be a defenceman.
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 3:26 PM PST up reply actions
The Ducks usually play the Canucks pretty tough, but their secondary scoring has taken a hit lately. As long as the top line can be reasonably contained, they should be fine.
4-1 Canucks, Burrows!!
but their secondary scoring has taken a hit lately
You didn’t read the post did ya? Their secondary is kicking ass with Sexton and Koivu and Ryan.
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 3:59 PM PST up reply actions
Secondary scoring can only do so much when the primary scoring falters.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 4:19 PM PST up reply actions
well the Ducks have won 2 of their last 3 relying almost solely on their second line. That counts for something. That matters in the playoffs too when teams check the hell out of the first line. See: Crosby and Malkin in the Finals last year.
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 5:05 PM PST up reply actions
By the way, welcome to the site, Steckel. Where are you from? I know some Steckel’s in Smithers BC where I live.
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 5:06 PM PST up reply actions
I go to school in Maine, names actually from the Caps player (they’re my number one team). But the Nucks are easily my second favorite team.
Hope I’m still welcome.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 5:14 PM PST up reply actions
I go to school in Maine, names actually from the Caps player (they’re my number one team). But the Nucks are easily my second favorite team.
Hope I’m still welcome.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 5:15 PM PST up reply actions
Damned shoddy college internet. Grumble, grumble.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 5:18 PM PST up reply actions
We embrace schizophrenics.
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
Looks like my bases are covered!
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 6:46 PM PST up reply actions
I’ll admit that I skimmed it quickly before heading to the gym and wanted to get my prediction posted in time. :)
I was referring to Selanne and Lupul going down with injury, those guys are pretty solid L2ers and Teemu owns us (72pts in 62gp). I have noticed that Sexton and Koivu are clicking pretty good but I don’t put too much stock into short-term success. And doesn’t Ryan usually play on L1 with the big guns?
I wasn’t sure about that.He was getting points where Getzlaugh and Fairy weren’t so I drew the conclusion
by Sean Zandberg on Dec 16, 2009 6:42 PM PST up reply actions
Same score as last night's women's game:
6-2 North of the border!
Kesler nets two while keeping Perry off the board, but Hansen gets the winner.
Lets see…I was going to go with a bigger score, but the Ducks always play the Canucks tough.
3-2, with Hansen getting the GWG
Oh, and Rypien adds to his lore by kicking the shit out of Parros.
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"
Fuck that. Get him after Perry.
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
well, i’m heading off to my exam (gotta catch the bus there), wish me luck and GO CANUCKS GO!!!!!!!!!
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
Own that exam, girl!
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
i did :)
well, enough so to get the mark i needed :)
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
This is what needs to happen tonight
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
3-0 Canucks, Erhoff the winner. He hasn’t scored lately, so he’s overdue.
...loving life for Christ's glory...
The original 'Hoff says...
…thumbs up!
Please allow me to adjust my pants, so that I may dance the good time dance, and lead the onlookers and innocent bystanders into a trance.
You’re Hoffsome.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 16, 2009 6:36 PM PST up reply actions
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