Sweet Home Cookin'! Canucks-Blue Jackets Preview
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 1:24 AM PST
in Game Preview
110 comments
BLUE JACKETS (15-19-9) AT CANUCKS (25-16-1)
GAME TIME: 7:00 PST
TV: Sportsnet
SEASON SERIES: 1-0 Columbus
THE ENEMY: The Cannon
The Canucks will most likely ice the same lineup as in recent games barring an unforeseen circumstance. Pavol Demitra and Brad Lukowich were excited to be practicing with the Canucks yesterday. Demitra is feeling pretty good, but cannot take any contact yet. Lukowich admitted that the Canucks' style of play is a lot different than how the Texas Rangers Stars play. He seems to be content to continually practice with the team and learn the system as the 7th defenceman.
But let's talk Blue Jackets. Oh my. Talk about a free fall. Columbus won 5 of their first 6 games in October, including a 5-3 win over the Canucks. They finished the month with a 6-5-1 record. In November they accumulated a 7-4-3 record only to succumb to a 2-9-5 record in December. They now sit in 14th spot in the West, 3 points up on Edmonton. John McGourty of NHL.com paints an even darker picture:
The Blue Jackets have won only one of their past 10 games, have lost 12 of their past 13 games and 20 of 23 (3-13-7). The Blue Jackets have won only 10 of 16 games when leading after the second period and their .625 winning percentage is the League's worst in that category. Columbus gets in trouble early and can't get out. They are fourth-worst in allowing 40 first-period goals and fourth-worst in allowing 49 second-period goals. They have won only once in 17 games when trailing after two periods.
To Columbus' credit they are close to perhaps turning it around. They may have only won once in their last 5 games, but each game was decided by a goal. 3 of those 5 games went at least to overtime. Those games have been low-scoring affairs. 6 goals for and 9 goals against. They are trying to get back to their defensive roots. That means that this game is not a "gimme" for Vancouver. It's not necessarily another coach-killing game. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.
COMPARATIVE STATS
-GOALS PER GAME: Canucks 5th, Columbus 23rd
-LEAST GOALS AGAINST PER GAME: Canucks 7th, Columbus 25th
-5-ON-5: Canucks 3rd, Columbus 30th
-POWERPLAY: Canucks 3rd, Columbus 6th. Aha.
PENALTY KILL: Columbus 14th, Canucks 18th
SHOTS PER GAME: Columbus 12th, Canucks 13th (tied)
LEAST SHOTS AGAINST PER GAME: Canucks 10th, Columbus 18th
WINNING % WHEN SCORING FIRST: Canucks 10th, Columbus 28th
WINNING % WHEN LEADING AFTER 1: Canucks 7th, Columbus 30th
WINNING % WHEN LEADING AFTER 2: Canucks 7th, Columbus 30th
Rick Nash plays over 20 minutes a game for Columbus, but only has 3 goals and 5 points in his last 10 games.
RJ Umberger has 2 goals and no assists in his last 10 games.
Kristian "The Weasel" Huselius has 2 goals and 4 points in his last 10 games.
With better defensive hockey comes better stats for goalie Steve Mason. He has a .919, .960 and 1.00 save percentage in his last 3 outings. He faced 37, 25 and 34 shots respectively in those 3 games.
The Canucks will have to get on Columbus derail them early. Their confidence has to be at a serious low if they go down 2 goals.
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If you take Vancouver’s numbers and extrapolate over a full season (with 51 pts in their first 42 games), they are set to have 100 pts and still be in 8th place. Detroit could finish with 96 pts and still not get in…
Parity sure is nice, isn’t it…
We love the phantom point!
Sincerely,
Owners Everywhere
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 5, 2010 9:52 AM PST up reply actions
Actually, the reason why the point threshold to get into the playoffs is so high in the West this year is precisely because parity is FAILING. In particular, the problem is that the West is destroying the East. I think there was a post on this on PuckDaddy a few days back. Western teams as a whole have roughly a 65% winning percentage against Eastern team, which extrapolated through the course of a whole season, means that Western teams on average should have about 9 or 10 more points than Eastern teams. Hence the ridiculously high bar for getting a playoff spot.
Parity within the west, however, is responsible for the fact that only 7 poinst seperates the 3rd through 10th seeds.
by Beantown Canuck on Jan 5, 2010 9:31 AM PST up reply actions
Don’t you think that Western domination will fade. Doesn’t it wax and wane? I’d have to go back in history to find out. But it has to.
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 9:34 AM PST up reply actions
Well, considering the scale is so large (it includes every single team), the sample size suggests that this should be a consistent trend this season, unless the teams in the west collectively get worse and the teams in the east collectively get better, which is highly improbable.
by Beantown Canuck on Jan 5, 2010 9:40 AM PST up reply actions
IMO, on the whole
The West has been “better” than the east for many years now. In fact, I’d say all of the 2000’s and the majority of the 1990’s.
And the latter half of the 1980’s too :-)
Since 1984
Stanley Cups Won
Western Conference: 14
Eastern Conference: 11
Of course, the “IMO” means in my opinion so it is purely subjective, but there is one potential reason for my view.
My numbers were a bit off (which is partially due to the fact that the each Eastern team on average has one more overtime loss than each Western team). But here’s how it stands now— The average points per season, extrapolated from the current standings over the course of an 82 game schedule, would be 89.6 for Eastern teams and 95.1 for Western teams. That’s a big difference.
by Beantown Canuck on Jan 5, 2010 9:45 AM PST up reply actions
Or look at it this way: Canucks sit 8th in the west with 8 more wins than losses. Montreal sits 8th in the East with 2 more losses than wins!!!
by Beantown Canuck on Jan 5, 2010 9:50 AM PST up reply actions
Let’s change the playoff format! Combine the conferences! Only the top 16 NHL teams get into the playoffs.
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 10:41 AM PST up reply actions
If they do a reformatting I’d want them to go back to the days of Wales and Campbell!
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jan 5, 2010 10:49 AM PST up reply actions
Hmmm..Nope. Make the weak divisions pay!
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 4:41 PM PST up reply actions
Since the lockout:
In 2009: Eastern average 90.9, Western average 91.9
In 2008: Eastern average 90.3, Western average 91.8
In 2007: Eastern average 90.9, Western average 91.9
In 2006: Eastern average 91.1, Western average 91.6 (note: Colorado set a record for having the highest number of points (95) without being eligible for the postseason…)
That’s a great list of stats, and thanks for that. But what about records conference vs conference? You have a free week to spare? haha
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 4:43 PM PST up reply actions
I am back after 2 weeks of Christmas holidays without any internet activity. It was blissful.
5-2 Canucks. Kesler FTW.
Good for you! Glad you had a good time!
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 1:02 PM PST up reply actions
Texas Rangers? Has he been moonlighting as Nolan Ryan’s catcher? I think it’s the Texas Stars…home of the Texas Stars Ice Girls!
Does any Canadian team have ice girls? I don’t think canadian markets need them to attract fans. Not that I’m against getting ice girls but it seems to be an American gimmick to attract fans.
Man, sure is nice to have a guy like Lukowich saying all the right things and being a good teammate, instead of bitching like Schneider.
Canucks 4, Jackets 1, with Salo getting the GWG.
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"
3-0 Nucks… Lu is overdue. Burrows with the winner.
by Beantown Canuck on Jan 5, 2010 12:19 PM PST reply actions
3-0 Canucks, Kesler GWG
Although, personally I won’t be watching until the second half of the game… finale of the 2010 World Juniors is on tonight. Shame I couldn’t get tickets :(
Go Canada Go!
It’s called DVR, my friend. You can watch the whole gold medal game, start the ‘nucks game on delay, fast forward through commercials/intermission, and finish both on time! Oh yay I’m going to have a fun night, it looks like I’ll be able to head out from work shortly too!
by Beantown Canuck on Jan 5, 2010 2:08 PM PST up reply actions
Best invention since the TV itself!
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
Since the VCR! Yeah, I need to get a DVR. Soon. Very soon. Need a new dish for that don’t I?
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 4:44 PM PST up reply actions
Im going to tonight's game, Im so stoked. Go Canucks!
by Chuckles Canuckles on Jan 5, 2010 1:29 PM PST reply actions
Good for you! Have a great time.
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
You should take pics and send them to my phone. I’ll post them. Let me know.
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 4:45 PM PST up reply actions
"Columbus gets in trouble early.."
Not tonight. The Canucks come out sluggish and play down to their opponent and are behind 1-0 but come back to win 3-1 with Edler getting the GWG and Wellwood an empty netter.
I’m going to guess a chess match in the first period at least.
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 4:45 PM PST up reply actions
4-2 Canucks
Henrik with the game winner.
Oh hey. Switzerland scored two quick ones. 9-3 Sweden now. Goalie got caught bored, baha.
"I was thinking it would be cool to see a game on the road. I have been looking all over this atlas but I don't see Vancouver anywhere. What state is this sh*t in!?"
- Dallas Stars Forum
i’ll go extremely risky. 5-0 canucks, rypien gets a random winner, and hitchcock’s employment doesn’t last the night.
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
Abandoning the algorithm? Or just playing a hunch this time?
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
It’d be pretty sweet if another coach got the axe after a loss to us.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Jan 5, 2010 4:06 PM PST up reply actions
hey sean, could i possibly have a bonus point? technically i did call for rypper to get the first canucks goal of the night…..
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
I wish I could do that for ya. Rules are rules though. Stray but one bit and the Fellowship will fail.
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 6, 2010 6:02 PM PST up reply actions
oh sweet!
i come home from classes and see that tsn has hockey on. turns outs it’s the sweden-switzerland bronze medal match for the juniors. 3rd period just started. cool!
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
i haven’t been paying attention yet. just a minute ago i heard them say it was 10-4. holy shit!
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
OK, someone has to say it….
4-2 Jackets, Nash with the game winner. I figure it’s usually around this time after a few good games that the Canucks go and shit the bed. Plus the one and only Canucks game I’ve been to this season was the 5-3 CBJ win earlier in the year so I’m wary of them even if they are on a bad streak.
Hope I’m wrong!
I’m always weary of Huselius. I feel like he could score on Luongo from the locker room if he felt like it.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Jan 5, 2010 4:07 PM PST up reply actions
The Canucks sucked poo when the season started though….
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 4:47 PM PST up reply actions
Buccigross admits it:
11. Vancouver Canucks
The most underrated complete team in the league.
he was doing a review of his 10 years as a writer at ESPN and looked ahead for each team.
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
OMG We're Doomed
7-1 CBJ
Nash with the GWG.
Temujin lights himself on fire and hurls himself off the Bulkley Bridge.
o/t, but still breaking news
the capitals have named ovechkin as the new captain.
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
He went knee-on-knee with the other contenders and emerged victorious!
The opposite of serious is not funny; the opposite of serious is unserious.
by casual on Jan 5, 2010 3:54 PM PST up reply actions 6 recs
Always thought Pat Quinn had more than a touch of the Peter Griffin about him
by British Canuck on Jan 5, 2010 3:55 PM PST up reply actions
just found this awesome tweet from Vigneault (i’m pretty sure it might actually be him):
@AlainVigneault has told Jordan Schroeder to throw the Gold medal game tonight or he’ll be playing in Manitoba for his entire career…
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
not a verified account plus check the bio…
by Sean Zandberg on Jan 5, 2010 4:51 PM PST up reply actions
canada-usa game about to start!
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
Tough to win by less than three?
by Linden4evah on Jan 5, 2010 5:22 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
haha the pepsi cheer failed! the crowd is still chanting “GO CANADA GO!”
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
They’re quick as hell.
"I was thinking it would be cool to see a game on the road. I have been looking all over this atlas but I don't see Vancouver anywhere. What state is this sh*t in!?"
- Dallas Stars Forum
This hitting from behind penalty to Pieterangelo is bullshit, not because he’s not guilty but because they don’t call it consistently at all
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