Canucks/Avs: Struggles With The Bubble
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 8:07 AM PDT
in Game Preview
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PrintYou have to hand it to the Blues, Ducks and now the Oilers: those bubble teams can really take it to the plump daddies on the top can't they?
Two weeks ago the Blues (led by wunderkind T.J. Oshie) took two points from the Canucks because they were hungrier. And, on their current two game losing streak, they played an uncharacteristically sloppy defensive game and allowed Bobby Ryan and the Ducks to win in overtime. And last night? The Canucks played two strong periods (the first and the third) while the Oilers, again the more desperate of the two, scored within 30 seconds of the opening puck drop. Oh and Sam Gagner pulled an Oshie and schooled the entire team with a beautiful third period marker.
On a night they so badly wanted to win for Taylor Pyatt, they couldn't get it done. It was a pleasure to see Mats Sundin play an entire game and use his body. Perhaps his legs are finally where they would have been in December had he been playing all season. Wellwood and Raymond also played well in the loss.
But Roloson outplayed Luongo and the special teams fell apart again. Said Vigneault:
"They made us pay for our mistakes and we weren't able to do the same thing," Vigneault said. "Our power play ... it's got to find a way to finish and we didn't do that."
At least Rypien provided some entertainment:
These losses, if nothing else, are making the question of who wins the Northwest title last longer then we had hoped. The Canucks remain five points up on the Blue Jackets but did drop two slots with the loss - 3rd to 5th - so the hope now is they recognize half-hearted efforts aren't going to cut it anymore. Not now and not in the post season.
The regular season has a week left and their record in the final games (two against the Avs, one at the Kings and one against Calgary) will dictate what their opening round looks like. Of the three, only Calgary is playoff bound. So if Vancouver can't deal with desperate bubble teams what are they going to do against spoiler teams who are going to be icing kids and guys playing for contracts next season?
We'll see tonight. A strong rebound and the division title is in their hands again, setting up a beautiful game against Calgary on Tuesday. If they miss the mark, we all know the media is going to tear them a new one once the sun rises tomorrow.
An easier two points can't be had. In case you've been under a rock, the Denver Post would like you to know:
Unless the Avs get nine of a possible 10 points in their final five games and the Los Angeles Kings lose nine out of a possible 10, Colorado is guaranteed to finish no better than 28th overall in the NHL this season.
This is your Sunday game thread. Work off your Saturday night hangovers in the comments and see you tonight.
Game Notes
UPDATE 2:08 PM
Wojtek Wolski will play tonight after missing the past few days due to sickness.
Peter Budaj will start for the Avs.
----------------------
- Though Vancouver has coughed up nine goals and an empty netter in the past two games, Luongo is getting the nod tonight.
- Colorado has lost eight straight. In addition, not only are they without Sakic, Smyth and Stastny up front, but they're also likely down defensemen Brett Clark, Lawrence Nycholat (whoever the hell he is) and Adam Foote.
- Mile High Hockey reports the Avs have recalled Aaron Mackenzie, making him "the 10th player to make his NHL debut (six of them will be in the lineup on Sunday)." So expect a lot of new faces out there.
- Vancouver outscored the Avs 8-3 in two games last month.
- Vigneault was angry with the effort last night, especially on the Gagner goal. It's possible he'll tinker again, maybe with Vaananen on the blueline or Hansen up front. Once the lines firm up, we'll post them.
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I agree, Let Barbie start it. Lou didnt look sharp last night, and he could use a rest. The game on Tuesday is makin up to one of the best of the year, a win tonight for the Nucks would make it tough for the Flamers.
But again i’ll say it, I dont wanna win the NW. I prefer to face the Hawks over Columbus. Remember I said it…
That remains a good point, possibly, but what about home ice advantage for at least the first 2 rounds of the playoffs? They have to finish higher up in the standings to get that.
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions
you say that you’d rather face the Hawks than Columbus?
i was just looking at the Hawks blog, and they’re saying they’d rather face the Flamers than us.
isn’t it funny how nobody wants to face each other?
nice! everybody is afraid of everybody!
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m not a big believer in this ’we’d rather play X than Y nonsense’.
To win the cup you gotta beat everyone anyway. Psychologically, it may be less painful to lose to Detroit in the conference finals than in the first round (or maybe not), but if you lose to Detroit at any point, you aint winning the cup!
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
very true, excellent point
i just find it funny that the 3rd through 6th seeds seem to be preferring certain outcomes.
it’s mostly chicago and vancouver doing this though. i can’t find any word from columbus’ point of view, and the calgary blog is losing interest and expecting to face a dreadful blue jackets team in the 1st round.
Personally, I just want home ice advantage.
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Ah yes, see that’s a legitimate desire. More home ice is clearly an advantage. But who the opposition is, in my opinion, doesn’t matter overall.
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, I’m agreeing with that now more than before.
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions
This Luongo decision is relate to his prima-donna status and everyone in management knows he will sulk if he doesn’t get the start. He should not be starting this one for three reasons. First, it’s a back to back and he needs rest and LaB. needs work (remember what happened to the Oilers run when Rolo went down? You need a sharp back up going into the playoffs). Second, Luongo’s play has been horrible last two games, giving up some very, very soft goals and flailing at the puck. Third, at some point AV needs to demonstrate that is is he who is in charge of this hockey team and not Mr. and Mrs. Luongo.
And fourth—
This could be Barbie’s last ever chance to start on home ice. Who knows if he will be back next year. He came during a time of crisis, and performed I’d say better than expected. He’s a local boy and deserves a final start to show some appreciation.
And fifth—
Barbie played last game against Colorado and played well and won.
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I would also say put Hansen in over Hordi and Ossi over SOB today. I don’t think we need that much brute against Colorado, and we need to shore up our defensive play after the past two shitshows. Ryp stays because of that awesome tilt he won last night, and he’s been full of great energy since his return.
No, it’s a good thing that Luongo starts. With his weeks off for injury in November & December, he’s only now rounding into midseason form. He’s only played 50 games this season. It’s not like he’s burned out.
We need Luongo to be all-world in the playoffs. He needs to play his way out of this little slump. One extra game won’t hurt him for the playoffs, and it might help him work through this downturn in his form.
I would also leave the current lineup as is too. There’s no point in having a knee-jerk reaction. These guys played with heavy hearts in the “Lion’s Den”(*) last night and weren’t terrible. They need to come together and put the Pyatt distraction and defensive follies behind them.
Oh, and put Demitra back up on the RPM Line. They have learned their lesson after AV’s little spanking I hope.
I got a 6-3 Canucks win tonight.
(*)= mentioned by Yankee yesterday I think
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Gotta win
Just gotta beat the bottom-dwellers and hope for that the Flames and Blackhawks lose.
Blackhawks Remaining Schedule:
@ Blue Jackets
@ Predators
Blue Jackets
@ Red Wings
Red Wings
Flames Remaining Schedule:
Kings
@ Canucks
@ Oilers
Oilers
Oh and the next SBNation hockey blog will be an Oilers one.
by Linix129 on Apr 5, 2009 3:39 PM PDT reply actions
Well, we’re waiting for an Oilers’ blog! Then our division will be complete!
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions
0-0 BJ’s vs Hawks in the 3rd period..
Go Columbus!
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions
now going to OT..damned 3 point games! :)
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
3rd period just finished, now overtime.
i looked at that playoff chances statistics website earlier today, and this overtime is bad for the flames either way it finishes. vancouver gets it good if columbus wins, apparently.
http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL.html
lots of team blogs have been mentioning this site over the last week or so.
I’m liking how florida is winning… assuming they hold it down, they’ll be tied with the rangers in points with 3 games left each. Unfortunately, NY holds the tiebreaker. Good luck to the Panthers though.
Oh yeah, that’s going to be a huge win by them over the Pens…
die Rangers die!
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Shots are 35-25 Pittsburgh there and it’s now 3-2…uh oh. I see the Panthers still give up a shitload of shots on occasion
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Nah, people just want to see the crosby-malkin show. Pitts gets attendance everywhere. Panthers need to make the playoffs, they’re losing fans. They’ve been shit for so long, since that crazy year they made the finals. Among the weakest shape in the league after (although not nearly as bas as Phoenix).
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions
truth be told, and you guys can say whatever you want, but i think pittsburgh is overrated. with all the publicity that malkin and crosbaby get, their team has developed a huge ego over the last couple years.
Well Pittsburgh getting 16 points out of 17 last games (I believe) kind of takes them off the overrated list. Getting Guerin and Kunitz was pretty key for them, plus the return of Fleury.
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions
And Gonchar made a huge difference at the back end, especially on the PP. He’s got 17 points in the 21 games he’s been back… coincides with their current streak.
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions
me neither! I have never liked the Pens and still hate them to this day! My least favorite Pens since 1990 in order:
1. Larry Murphy
2. Mario Lemieux
3. Ulf Samuelsson
4. Sidney Crosby
5. Petr Nedved
6. Kovalev
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions
1. Petr Nedved
2. Jaromir Jagr
3. Petr Nedved
4. Petr Nedved
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions
ok good, i thought you guys were supporting them there....
i’ve only paid attention to hockey for about 4 years now, so the only irritating penguin i can name is crosbaby.
not sure if malkin belongs on that list, though, since he’s actually a pretty good player.
Well, all those players are pretty good players. I just don’t like them!
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I hate to say it, but Malkin has grown on me this season.
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Interesting… Has anyone seen anything else that says we’re pursuing this guy Matt Gilroy? I saw him play at the beanpot this year (annual college hockey tournement between the big 4 NCAA in boston). He is good. Same place I saw Schneider play two years back.
He has 36 points in 41 games as a D-man. You don’t think that’s a lot? I only saw him play one game, but he was good all around. Probably played 25 min. He’s also the team captain, and he’s taken the team all the way to the upcoming frozen four, the US equivalent to the Memorial Cup. And he’s said to be a likely winner of the Hobey Baker award this year, the NCAA MVP. Past winners include Paul Kariya, Brendan Morrison, Chris Drury… Jason Krog.
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Wait a minute, your original link was from Eklund’s site. There’s the first clue you should pay no attention to it :)
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Bingo, that’s why i was wondering if anyone else has heard of it. Because that was the first I had, and as we all know, it’s not a beacon of reliability.
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s not even a bacon of reliability.
Next, please.
Eklund is to hockey rumors as rickrolls are to internet forums.
by rsm on Apr 5, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Mach Man Randy Savage: Oooooo yeeeaahhh! Dig it!
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 5, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions
There’s Bob McKenzie talking about what Nuckels has been saying: if the Canucks take the NW they may end up playing the CBJ’s or Ducks and that may be less favorable than the Hawks.
I will say that the Ducks are just smoking right now.
And here’s Bob talking about the guy I’ve been talking about. Only he doesn’t mention the Canucks…
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Ew, I think I got the Colorado brodcast, oh well, can’t complain about the high quality stream!
by Linix129 on Apr 5, 2009 7:09 PM PDT reply actions
Not sure, it’s the Altitude brodcast with 18:50 left.
by Linix129 on Apr 5, 2009 7:11 PM PDT reply actions
Flurry of shots by the Nucks so far, good sign.
by Linix129 on Apr 5, 2009 7:13 PM PDT reply actions
I’m getting tired of seeing the alts all the time.
by Linix129 on Apr 5, 2009 7:16 PM PDT reply actions
I think Denver almost ties with Boston for teams I hate most (all sports)
by Linix129 on Apr 5, 2009 7:21 PM PDT reply actions
Left it on the plane back from Edmonton.
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I think that was the source of the Crosby fight, at leas that’s what the colorado coverage was suggesting.
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 5, 2009 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Hahahahahaha… the Colorado announcer just said that Sundin played on some ‘real good teams’ in Toronto.
Man, what a shitty loss. This is NOT the time to falter.
Here’s to beating the fucking pulp out of the flames on Tuesday.
by Linix129 on Apr 5, 2009 9:58 PM PDT reply actions
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