LIGHTNING		CANUCKS
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So what do the Canucks need to do against the angry Bolts? I almost hate saying what I think they should do. This is why I'll keep it simple and use the stats...

1. The Lightning are lousy 5 on 5 yet terrific on the power play. So try beat these guys at even strength and don't take too many penalties. Tampa is also excellent on the PK, enforcing my 5 on 5 point even more.

2. Tampa can score a lot of goals per game but have given up the most goals against in the league. Hello shitty D and half assed goaltending!

3. Tampa gets a lot of shots on net but doesn't allow many against.

To give you examples of anomalies, the win over the Ducks was the first time this season that the Canucks won a game when trailing after 2 periods. Vancouver took 14:00 worth of minor penalties against the Ducks. Anaheim scored 2 goals in their 7 PP chances. That in itself was more PP goals against than the Canucks have given up this season in a game on average.

Bottom line is anything can happen.

SEEN STAMKOS?

21 goals and 40 points in 28 games this season. Somebody shadow this little bugger. That being said, Super Steve had not registered a point in 3 straight games until last night against the Oilers.

LIGHTNING INJURY NEWS / WHO'S HOT OR NOT (LIGHTNING)

-Vincent Lecavalier will miss at least another 2 weeks after undergoing knuckle surgery.

-We won't be seeing that pain in the ass named Steve Downie either. He is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain.

-Simon Gagne, who I would never take on my team because of his proneness to injury, has 2 goals and 3 assists in his last 5 games.

-Martin St. Louis has been streaky lately, but still has 3 goals and 3 assists in his last 5 games.

-Mattias Ohlund has played 20 games this season, has 3 assists, 10 shots on goal and is a -8, and less icetime on average.  I think we may have gotten the best out of the 34 year-old Ohlund while he was here. Either way, keep your head up, Canucks. Ohlie can still murder people, right Kessel? Right Zetterberg? You know, I miss Ohlund from time to time. I miss that mean streak he had.

AS FOR THE CANUCKS

-No Raymond or Ehrhoff. Sucks losing Raymond. Ehrhoff? Well he has not been so impressive over the past few weeks. I can't pull out stats to prove it because there are no stats for being a bonehead in general. Here we bagged on Kevin Bieksa for all those weeks yet Ehrhoff, in a contract year no less, has been insignificant defensively a lot of times. He has 14 points and a +6 in 26 games this season, which looks impressive on paper and of course is a pro, but the visual tends to be disturbing. Personally, I welcome this opportunity for the Canucks to have less pinching D-men on their roster and pay more attention to that position. Andrew Alberts draws back in after missing time with illness.

-I hope Samulesson plays. It's just a matter of time before he goes on a goal-scoring streak. He has 4 goals and 9 points in his last 11 games

-Ryan Kesler has 7 goals and 5 assists in his last 12.

-Mason Raymond had 4 goals and 10 points in his last 11 games. Somebody else needs to replace that huge void.

MISC

-Cory Schneider finally gets a start for the Canucks. I really hope they tighten up defensively in front of Red.

-Since January 2004, the Lightning have only played at Rogers Arena THREE TIMES. The Canucks have won all 3. So there is some intriguing history there. The Canucks are 3-2 in their last 5 games against the Bolts, meaning they have not won a game at St. Pete's Times Forum in 6 years. So...we own them at our rink. Keep it up!

VIDEO

The last time the Canucks and Lightning met (February 9, 2010):

BOTTOM LINE FOR YOUR VIDEOS: IT'S MARKUS NASLUND NIGHT. SO..WITHOUT FURTHER TO DO:

NASLUND'S 1000th GAME TRIBUTE

NASLUND END TO END:

Naslund DOES THE JOB TO FORCE GAME 7 INTO OT:

NASLUND/IGINLA NIKE COMMERCIAL:

WEST COAST EXPRESS

Another Naslund Tribute:

MY FAVE NASLUND MOMENT

When he told the Canucks faithful at GM Place "We choked."

after a 3-0 loss to the Kings in the final game of the regular season. Naslund not only lost the scoring race title to Peter Forsberg, but the team lost the 1st place race with the Avalanche..all in one night! The Canucks would erase a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Blues in round 1 only to blow a 3-1 series lead to the Wild in Round 2. Frustrating as hell that was. But still, Naslund had 5 goals and 14 points in 14 playoff games that playoffs. AND...he had a microphone in his hand and had the balls to tell the people at GM Place and the 1000's watching at home that the team choked. An honest and bold move by the captain. I can appreciate that.

What is your favorite Naslund moment?  Canucks Hockey Blog posted some answers from Canucks bloggers a few days ago (including Mr. Yankee Canuck) which I recommend you check out. So let's hear your fave Nazzy moment, beyond your score prediction.