Canucks have a new second line.... but for how long?

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 5, 2009 9:21 PM PST Comment 7 comments

Mats Sundin and Ryan Kesler, each with a goal and an assist, and Pavol Demitra, with two assists, were instrumental in Vancouver earning a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night to snap an eight-game skid. And the mood was upbeat at Thursday's practice as Vancouver prepared for the young and improved Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday."We had a good game but one game doesn't make a season so we've got to improve off that," Kesler, a speedy skater who plays with an edge, said of coach Alain Vigneault's latest combination. "We were a unit of three and we worked off each other."

Amazing energy from that line against the Hurricanes. Alain Vigneault was going to continue juggling line mates with Mats Sundin until he found someone to click with the big Swede. He may have finally found something. That being said, they could have a lousy game against the Hawks on Saturday night and AV's knee-jerking will resume. However, I'm feeling fairly positive about that line. Demitra and Sundin were already clicking before Pavol's groin failed him.

Ryan Kesler is finally getting a fair chance to show what kind of scoring skills he has. The "checking forward" now has 5 points in his last 2 games and has become the newest local hero. He is going to step up big time in a scoring role methinks.

Poll

Will the Kesler-Sundin-Demitra line have continued success?

Yes

26 votes

No

5 votes

31 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 7 comments |

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Comments

I voted "no"

But only because Demitra’s groin will pop out again.

I think Mats is getting warmed up and he should round into top form. I think once he gets firing he could really do some damage with the twins if they do their endless cycle thing and feed it to him behind the net. He’s still gonna be strong as all hell so when he bulls his way to the front of the net there isn’t much the opposition could do!

by LeafFanInVan on Feb 5, 2009 9:40 PM PST reply actions

I don’t want Sundin with the twins. I like the secondary punch of Sundin on line 2.
I think that if Sundin and Kesler now form consistent chemistry then Demitra could get an injury down the road and someone else will fit in.
Actually, if this Line 2 keeps it up, maybe the Sedins should be bounced to line 2 instead. I think they’ve always wanted/needed the pressure taken off of them.

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 5, 2009 9:45 PM PST reply actions

That is true, it might be the solution to put mats on the top line if his play ramps up enough. He can definitely handle the pressure. I’d like to see him do well, even though that’s not approved on PPP’s site ;)

by LeafFanInVan on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM PST up reply actions

I CAN FOLLOW YOU HERE!

I knew it! Chemmy said I was tilting at windmills but I am surrounded by traitors.

Don’t forget that it’s not just Demitra with a wonky groin. Sundin’s could pop out too. Probably with about 10 games left.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Feb 6, 2009 7:21 AM PST up reply actions

Bah! Piss on the bitter Leafs fans! haha
The Canucks should sign Gary Roberts too, just to piss them off more.

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 6, 2009 12:16 AM PST reply actions

Did you see Roberts take a bad penalty against that turd Cooke in a Tampa/Pens game? Cooke was pissing off Gary and so he swung at him and Cooke flopped like a bag of dogshit. Pathetic. Then the pens scored. Bastards!

by LeafFanInVan on Feb 6, 2009 9:25 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I saw that. Gary is going to have to learn mental discipline. I’ve always been a a big fan of Roberts. I thought that when the Pens used him on the 4th line last year in the playoffs that it was a travesty. He’s still got some speed, scoring touch and a hell of a lot of guts.
Cooke dove? Now way! sarcasm He’s a great pest. And he’s been playing well for the Pens lately. I guess playing with Crosby and Malkin helps.

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 6, 2009 11:29 AM PST reply actions