I am not trying to illuminat(i) your minds here at all. That kind of stuff is for the network news guys, PBS and CBC.

This is just too perfect for the Canucks and their run through the Xcel Energy Center. Its been a personal horror show for the back up tonight ( though, interestingly enough, he has 3 straight shutouts at home versus the Wild.), what with a 7.00 GAA in the last three here. So, maybe Grand Wizard Vigneault played the averages, or maybe it was just time for Cory Schneider to take the crease. He had some big saves tonight, but come on. He only had 24 shots.

My favorite stylistic tool is the A-B-C's, but that, I have decided, is only for the big games. The rivalry tilts. The Wild just think the Canucks are a "rival". Get in line there Wild fans. We have some others a little further up the food chain that hate us much much more than you.

So, in honour of the above and luck at the Xcel or the lack of it, here's the thirteen points to ponder tonight.

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Come on. Did you think I would go for anything other than The Sweet tonight. So what if Byron Bitz was eleven when this song came out. Its his now.

Tonight, we saw a game tailor made for Twitter ( and I look forward to the Game According to Twitter to come ). Beforehand, the debates over the line changes ( can you believe that they are punishing Hank by putting him with Bitz? ), the goaltending at both ends, the two goals for the Predators in 1:02 ( one that should not have counted, at least by, you know, the rules according to Mike Murphy, and Daniel's no goal in that LA playoff series that all Canuck fans immediately refer these kind of things to), and a third period where only a few chances late betrayed another third period that was dominant, on the road, in a place where the opposition were the best team in hockey recently. The home team has to be considered the "better team" tonight. But this is where the judgements always differ, how much better. Our goalie was definitely better. He had a couple posts help him out in regulation, but his counterpart had two straight in the shootout. So, you know there will be differing opinions.

I know we love to go over the here and there of the various games and the results, but this win is one that Alain Vigneault gets a stick tap for, along with Roberto Luongo, of course.

More after the break.

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OK everyone. Lets just take a breath and remember that there is another two points that was picked up today. That the Avs are now 0-2-1 in the season series, and had their first two goals of that series today, when they played their best of the games between these two teams this year.

I know that for Canuck fans, the way they win now, is seemingly more important than winning. I know the Sedins and their struggles will be the story tomorrow. I also know that sometimes I feel like Peter in the clip above when it comes to dealing with the amount of hyperbole that accompanies games like this. The Avs came hard. They are obviously embarrassed by being owned by the Canucks, and by having all of two divisional wins coming into this one.

Some respect for the other team is sometimes needed. Yes, the Canucks can be better. Do you want them to be like the Hawks instead, who in their last three are 0-2-1 and have let in 14 goals while scoring 7 ? Thats another very good team that looks not as good right now, and they don't have a goaltender like Luongo, or even Schneider.

So, deep breath, and peruse the points after the break.

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Ha, I bet you thought I was going to go with Don Henley and the rest of his bandmates for the entertainment tonight.

But I had a minor revelation while waiting for our servers to reboot, our flim flam to get calibrated, or whatever the hell happened! While out picking up some victuals, I had the TEAM in my ears. I missed a little bit, but pretty sure I heard from the first three callers various listings, mentions of, or somehow knocking Roberto Luongo.

Which is of course, absurd. So this is for them. You all remind me of Mrs Swan ( she is also Lois Griffin for you Family Guy fans ) with the nattering nabobs of negativity.

Lets get to the observations and illuminations after the break, shall we?

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Hello Chicago. Its great to see you guys. Oh, you hate the Canucks? Well, same to you then!

Honestly though, we don't hate the Hawks. The "rivalry" that TSN and others call the "best in the NHL" ( it just might be ) was originally built on hatred and animus. But after three straight years of playoffs, a season series where it seems it always go back and forth as far as the wins go, this is just great hockey.

Both teams are fantastic, and have guys that you can't help but respect, even if they wear the Four Feathers. Its not like the Finals rivalry where there is a real, honest hatred that you would imagine might extend into the offseason. I get the feeling if a Bruin and a Canuck met at a resort, there might be a rumble.

These guys might hate each other, because they are told they are supposed to. But whatever it takes to give us this kind of hockey is fine with me!

Here's the A to Z of tonight's game after the break.

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Here in Vancouver, we have a thriving film and television industry. There was what some might call a poor example of that with the appearance of Pamela Anderson at tonight's game ( and reportedly in the room post game! ), and the inspiration for tonight's title, a movie shot here a few years ago called Postal. If you, like me, have a dark sense of humour, I recommend it.

Now, before my American friends take offense to the clip, its a black comedy, and if you watch it, they are making fun of the right guys. Its also based on a video game, and a dark one at that. The other reason for such a punny title?

With Mason Raymond hitting one in the shootout, the Canucks had five posts hit tonight. Say what you like about that being no big deal, or that its just as good as a miss. Perhaps. But on five separate opportunities, the puck hit the post and went out, not in. That, at the least, is some shitty puck luck.

Oh well, another two points heading into the All Star break. Enjoy the festivities, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Alex Edler, and rookie Cody Hodgson. If you are watching, I have a drinking game. Take one each time an announcer says Hodg-son instead of Hod-sin on Saturday! Enjoy...

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Like death and taxes, lately the Canuck and Shark match ups seem to follow a pattern. The games are always good, the hitting is always hard, Logan Couture is always more dangerous than the guys on his team that get paid more than him...and the Canucks win by a goal.

Its something like 10-1-2 now in the last while. That is the kind of dominance this team usually has against teams like the Blue Jackets. Not to compare last year's WCF-ists to the Columbus team. They are not that of course.

Personally, I think it is the respect that the Canucks have for this team, and the fact they know that the line between winning and losing to these guys is pretty fine.

Whatever the reason, another Canuck win, in a one goal game, against their Northern California rivals ( Hello Ned!!). At least it was 4-3 instead of 3-2 !

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Here's something to entertain you tonight, and it has Ducks playing hockey. Yes Ducks fans, that is a Disney cartoon. You brought it on yourselves by originally naming your team after a movie.

Besides, at least the Ducks were playing hockey tonight. Not sure what the road warriors were up to, but I have every expectation that we will not see such an effort against the Kings on Tuesday. Perhaps it was that "first game back from a trip" trap game. Perhaps not. Bruce Boudreau has his guys playing well though, and I always hate that rationale.

More rational thoughts after the break.

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