Kings/Canucks: Don't Anger The Mothers
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 1:50 PM PDT
in Game Preview
251 comments
Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings, Mar 9, 2009 7:30 PM PDT
(Say what you will about Vancouver's past jerseys, but this thing is puke-tastic)
With over three quarters of the season in the books, keep in mind this Vancouver gang has only one person with more than 20 goals (Daniel) and two with more than 30 assists (Sedins). In fact Daniel's team-leading 62 points doesn't even crack the top 20 scorers in the league. Their lone All-Star is only 10th best in both GAA and S%. As a team, they are third most penalized in the league, sport the sixth worst penalty kill and make up for that by having a mediocre power play.
So how the hell do you explain a 13-3-3 run, capped off with a convincing win over the best team in the league? Mr. Willes if you please.
This edition, at least as they're playing now, has a nice balance between its defence and its offence. They can still trap it up when they have to but their attack is so much more dangerous and their skill level is so much higher...
...it's the sum of the parts which is noteworthy.
I can't emphasize that last sentence enough. You could probably point to three things to explain the run if you really wanted to: the Burrows "bump" on the first line, the Kesler spark on the second and the return of Luongo. There's some underlying arguments that could be made too, chiefly the emergence of some blueline support (Bieksa and Salo),a transformed third line or just the fact we have Sundin. Maybe that Vigneault has stopped the frequency of line juggling? Pick your favorite.
Fact is they're not relying on the Sedins or Luongo for the win every game. Fact is they're getting production distributed across the top three lines and the defense. Fact is someone different gets to play hero every night.
And the fact is - thanks to our good friends in Atlanta and Colorado on Sunday - the Canucks can move within three points of Chicago and six of Calgary with a win against the Kings tonight.
No reason to take the foot off the gas now.
The Kings are going to absolutely suck playing in a few seasons, maybe as soon as the next one. With a glut of first rounders gelling together - and led by the likes of Frovlov, Brown and Kopitar - this team is slowing becoming what I think their fans have been waiting for since, what, the mid 90's?
If only they had a goalie (right about here is your Cloutier joke opening) though Quick is sure to be the one they've been looking for. It makes you want to put in LaBarbera tonight just so he can shut down his old team.
The Kings are five points out of the 8th spot so they're theoretically in it but have a tough fight ahead of them. However with one goal losses to Detroit and Columbus in their last five - and two straight wins over Dallas and Minnesota - they're certainly giving it their all.
Don't expect a cakewalk; these are precisely the types of games against desperate opponents that scare me the most. If the Canucks take the Kings too lightly, expect Vigneault and their mothers to put a boot up their collective asses.
Games Notes
- The Kings lines will probably look a little like this:
Purcell-Anze Kopitar-Dustin Brown
Alexander Frolov-Jarret Stoll-Peter Harrold
Michal Handzus-Oscar Moller-Wayne Simmonds
Kyle Calder- Derek Armstrong-Kevin Westgarth
Sean O'Donnell-Drew Doughty
Kyle Quincey-Matt Greene
Jack Johnson-Denis Gauthier
Purcell is a rookie call up who just is riding a four game point streak. And Calder is still in the NHL? That's adorable.
- In case you missed it (like me), Ohlund's assist in the San Jose game ties him with Lumme and Kearns for the franchise record for points by a defenseman. With 18 games left, he's a virtual lock to take it.
- Luongo is 4-0 with a 1.25 GAA at the Staples Center.
- During its current four-game win streak, Vancouver has had eight different players score and have outscored opponents 12-5; they're averaging 3.43 goals since the start of February.
- Want a walk down memory lane? Burrows had his first career hat trick against the Kings in March three years ago. Just sayin'.
- Lastly, I used to live in Los Angeles so I am the rare NY'er who actually likes it. I also got to see first hand it's where good musical intentions go to die a prepackaged, groupthink, money-first death. Sometimes this process has hilarious consequences, case in point: Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer on the same stage. Sweet merciful crap.
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The boys better not get soft with mommy there. They got to kick LA’s ass! The Kings are going to play spoilers, and have a better powerplay and PK than we do. So we can’t take them for granted.
5-2 Canucks.
BTW: Too bad Sundin’s parents aren’t here. I want to see if he looks more like his mom or his dad. Oh wait..
For real, those are his parents? Eh, you can kind of see his face in the mom’s.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Well now you know I’m not the go-to guy for Abba-related information.
But still…her face has similar features. MAAAYBE there’s more to this story.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Apparently, there is no truth to the rumour that Mats Sundin’s mother was interested in taking part, but felt she needed six months to decide if this was something she really wanted to do.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
Gah, TMI, TMI. And the fact that she grew up in Norway and the states and has never gone to a hockey game is sad.
I can remember going to hockey games in Bergen and going to the Civic Center (although not for hockey because my dad wasn’t in the US for hockey season that year).
by rsm on Mar 9, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought only Lou got to do that. Probably not a great move unless there are underlying reasons we haven’t heard about yet.
by rsm on Mar 9, 2009 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Doubt it. The team isn’t sharp.
Watch Gainey hire Larry Robinson…
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions
God I think Gillis behind the bench would be hysterical.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions
then we could compare who has bigger bags under their eyes: Gillis or Gretzky!
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m not sure about tonight. I am feelin a loss to be honest, maybe 4-3 in a SO. Wellwood with 2 tonight though, theres my prediction.
The team is sitting pretty. I hope they don’t take LA for granted.
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Playing down to the opposition is a good Vancouver tradition.
by rsm on Mar 9, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, one of my favourite traditions, along with complaining that no player is good enough, the GM makes bad decisions, the coach should be fired… and of course, never winning the Stanley Cup. SIGH
by Beantown Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
From BoC
Prediction: Kings lose, 4-0. Labarbera gets the shutout and then waves his dick at the incensed Los Angeles crowd.
Brilliant.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
Watch us completely dominate them
5-1 Canucks
D Sedin, Burrows, Kesler, Ohlund, Pyatt
Does Dustin Brown still play for the Kings? :-)
There now. I’ve come out in favour of a big win. When we get our asses handed to us, you can blame me for not doing the reverse psychology thing.
That purple one is still more offensive.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Hard to argue, now that I look at both of them
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, wow. All that needs is some hammer pants.
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m on your side man.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Nicest thing to hear in sometime
“Two of the next three games against the Kings”
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
Sundin with his big first miss. We got a game.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
The unemployment line with a 3-1 and they can’t convert. Though a good play by Pudge still.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
I’m still amazed Calder is still in the NHL.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
Hahaha. Gauthier scores for the first time since man stood upright. Good job guys.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
Seriously, we do love to offer that up to opposing teams.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I wasn’t aware Raymond is used extensively on the PK but there he is
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
After Sat night, I am fully expectin a sloppy effort. San Jose was a huge game, and I can imagine the Nucks coastin through tonight and hopin for an easy win.
They started well enough but they’ve embraced mediocrity again
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Honestly why is their PK such a joke?
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I am getting jealous of every other team’s PP.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
I didn't meant it
how you think I meant it.
I was just begging for Labarbara, I didn’t even read your post above :)
They need to be locked in the dressing room with their mothers.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
WTF Sedins? Clear it, knock off this chipping shit.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
What is Matty afraid to shoot now? KesLORD should pop him. Or his mom should. Yeah…every mom gets one smack at #13.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
Pathetic
Best thing about the game so far is the audio at rink level. The hits sound like car crashes.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
I dunno, but I’m going to pour myself a drink.
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions
judging by the amount of Spiced rum I put in my glass I will catch up to you in alcoholic content pretty quick
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Damnit, I’m jealous. I’m sitting here working while you guys are sipping the good stuff.
by rsm on Mar 9, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought for a second it was this
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Mar 9, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn’t mean it. Ohlie’s hot….right? I don’t know. I’m a guy
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I think AV checked the clock on Wellwood and realized he was approaching his max
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, we knew there was a risk of complacency in this game. The Kings are fighting for their playoff lives
The line juggling
is annoying too. Let the players play their game. How will juggling make any difference?
Nuckels…maybe.
We have to get more pucks at Quick. He has let a shitter in and we haven’t made him pay.
Aim higher. think more positive. Think "win in OT!
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I think they saved that one oddly enough. Although one of the guys on the salvage team died.
by rsm on Mar 9, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions
If it’s the ship I’m thinking off, it’s somewhere in the NW Pacific
by rsm on Mar 9, 2009 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cougar_Ace
There is a better article than the Wiki one, which is an awesome read. I’ll see if I can find it.
by rsm on Mar 9, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I feel as though Mats will come through
He is supposed to be a game-breaker and a clutch scorer
It shall come to pass. Book It.
Nah. I’ve lost hope in him..for now. I hope the coach calls him out
by Sean Zandberg on Mar 9, 2009 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions
So Sedins best Nucks by far in the 3rd right? Thats why we need them so bad, they wear out the opposition
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