Is this Canucks team peaking too early?
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 19, 2009 11:28 PM PDT
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PrintAre the Canucks peaking too early, or are they just going to steamroll their way through the final 12 games? The next 6 games are on the road, so we'll see what they are made of. I think the teams' expectation is to keep winning and catch the Flames, but I'm a little wary of that.
It's a game of emotion and momentum. You want to go into the playoffs on a high. I don't think it's realistic that they continue at this torrid pace over the next 12 games. If they do then I'll be damned, and the media will finally call them contenders and not dark horses. I think it's more realistic to say or think that they slow down a bit on this road trip and then crank it up in their final 6 games, where they play 4 games at home. That's just me.
But that's a double-edged sword. You don't want to develop a slump or losing mentality late in the season either.
Hey, I'm just speaking my mind. If you look at the Bruins, who have hauled ass all season long until March, where they have lost 6 of 9 games, the Sharks, who have lost 5 of 9 in March or the Canadiens, who have lost 6 of 8 in March, you have to wonder about this kind of thing. Even the best teams slump. Timing of slumps can be crucial.
Or is it? Let's see...
-Last season, Detroit won 14 of their last 16 games of the season before entering the playoffs. The Penguins won 11 of their last 17 games.
-In 2006-07, the Ducks won 11 of their last 18 games before heading into the playoffs and winning the Cup. The Senators won 10 of their last 15 games.
-In 2005-06 the Hurricanes won 7 of their final 14 games before the playoffs started. Not so impressive. Cam Ward replaced Martin Gerber somewhere early in that playoff run and backstopped the Canes to a Cup victory. The runner-up Oilers won 7 of their last 12 games before the season ended.
-In 2003-04, the Champion Lightning squad won 15 of their final 22 games, including 4 of their final 6 games. The runner-up Flames won 13 of their final 21, including 7 of their final 11 games.
Is there a solid theory in all this? Not really. Anything can happen when the playoffs start, but it doesn't hurt to hit game 1 of the playoffs while already on a roll.
Opinions? Discuss. I'm all ears.
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I get the sense that the Canucks have their heads in the right place. I don’t think they are looking at the standings and thinking about Calgary, or even Chicago…they are just thinking, WIN. If they win, they will be winners…it’s that simple. I think in seasons past, there was a tendency to over think the whole thing while they rolled through the end of the regular season and then into the playoffs.
It’s just about winning…it doesn’t matter how many, just keep working hard and win, baby…that’s it.
Great team feeling
Regardless of whether the lads have peaked too early or not (and I really don’t think they have), the thing that is most impressive at the moment is the “all for one and one for all” mentality that seems to be so prevalent in the locker room right now.
You need only see the post game interviews with AV and various players to get the feeling that there’s a really good team feeling and culture going on down there at GM right now. It’s this kind of comradeship that leads to great performances, and ultimately consistent wins.
Yeah, you bet. Love the commeraderie (sp). I haven’t seen this kind of love since 1994 perhaps.
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 20, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
What GZ said...
They have their heads in the right place and it’s paying off. I wouldn’t worry too much about peaking too early.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
What is realistic for this team over the last 12 games? 6-4-2? 8-3-1?
Anything less than .500 and there will be dark clouds in Vancouver. 11 of their last 12 games are against teams below them in the standings (including Chicago, though take it for what it’s worth). The only team ahead of us in the standings is Calgary, and we will play them at home. Eight wins in their final 12 is not an unreasonable expectation, and to be honest I think we will probably beat Calgary and Chicago, but lose to St Louis, Edmonton and Dallas.
The last we want to do is back into the playoffs on the “strength” of a three or four game losing skid.
I don’t know what’s realistic. I guess the team thinks “however many wins gets them the Northwest Division crown.” I just don’t want them to blow their load early is all. The playoffs are gruelling. I think the 6 game road trip will give us a good idea on where the team is at.
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 20, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
I think they are in a great position come playoff time. Luongo is really starting to regain his best form with playoffs coming. Best of all, he will be fresh and peaking when playoffs come, with energy to play top level every night deep into the playoffs. His November injury might turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
I still believe the Canucks are short of peaking. In their current streak, they have won many games with one of the top two lines having a good game, the other having an average game, and the third line not showing up. With the third line heating up and with Sundin and Demitra showing a bit more passion, I think they can get better and take on any team in the league. They just need to keep that drive and desire as a team.
Emphasis on Sundin. I think Demitra has been great recently. Sundin still looks like he’s improving every game.
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 20, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Hey I just noticed this nucksmisconduct is now posted on the Canucks homepage, or at least this article. Way to go guys! Is this going to be a regular thing?
by Beantown Canuck on Mar 20, 2009 9:54 AM PDT reply actions
There’s a decent amount of comments over there to on what you wrote
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 20, 2009 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Someone earlier mentioned Luongo being fresh and in top form. I’m hesitant to agree with that — he’s starting every game right now and I worry about his fatigue (both mental and physical). I know he likes to play every game, but last season he burned out toward the end (yes, personal issues too, but still) and the year before it looked like he ran out of gas too.
I’d love to see LaBarbera start three or four of the last 12…but doubt he starts more than one. As far as a possible record for the final games, I could see 4-6-2. In the losing streak, we knew they were better than their record…and in the recent winning streak, we know they’re probably not quite as good as their record…so it seems like a little correction may be in order. But I’d love to be wrong on that.
In the losing streak, we knew they were better than their record…and in the recent winning streak, we know they’re probably not quite as good as their record
A bit of a dose of reality! I like it. It’s possible.
But as far as Luongo being rested..I think he got enough rest when he hurt his “man-part.”
OK, so let’s take a guess at how the Canucks finish the season. Winner gets a frozen chicken.
Headspace has 4-6-2.
I say 7-5-0.
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 20, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
BTW, Labarbera will only play on March 26 or 27th. That’s it. Back to back games.
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 20, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I see the Nucks going forward in a perfect way, they are winnin games that they arent dominating. The fact that they have blown some leads of late, but yet held on shows how confident this bunch is. What happens down the stretch doenst matter really (unless theres some kind of psychotic collapse) This team has learned and is chompin at the bit to get into the playoffs. I really think that we are on the brink of something special happenin this year. I’ve been followin the team for decades, and this is the tightest group of players i’ve seen.
There is no “I” in team, and I believe that this years Nucks are buyin into that principle. I predict a strong finish, and I hope that Lou gets more than 1 night off. The canucks arent streaking or fluking out over the last month, they are merely playing how they thought they could all along!
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Just dove like Greg Louganis.
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