| Canucks (34-20-2) |
Bruins (23-22-10) | ||||
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AT |
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| Time | 10:00 AM PST |
TV | Sportsnet Pacific |
| Season Series | 0 - 0 |
Last Meeting | 1-0 Bruins (Oct.28/08) |
| The Enemy |
Stanley Cup Of Chowder, Ghosts of the Garden, |
Scoring Leaders | H. Sedin: 25-52-78 Bergeron: 12-21-33 |
| Canucks | Category | Bruins |
| 3rd | Conference Position | 12th |
| 7-3-0 | Last 10 | 1-6-3 |
| 3.20 (3rd) | Goals Per Game | 2.31 (30th) |
| 2.43 (5th) | Goals Against Per Game | 2.46 (6th) |
| 1.33 (3rd) | 5 On 5 GF/GA | .87 (25th) |
| 21.9% (5th) | Power Play | 17.6% (19th) |
| 81.6% (16th) | Penalty Kill | 86.3% (3rd) |
| 30.1 (14th) | Shots Per Game | 30.8 (10th) |
| 28.7 (7th) | Least Shots Against Per Game | 29.5 (12th) |
| 77.8% (7th) | Winning % When Scoring First | 69.6% (15th) |
| 85.7% (5th) | Winning % When Leading After 1 | 86.7% (4th) |
| 44.8% (5th) | Winning % When Trailing After 1 | 21.9% (25th) |
| 95.8% (4th) | Winning % When Leading After 2 | 75% (26th) |
| 25% (5th) | Winning % When Trailing After2 | 9.1% (21st) |
| 51.4% (9th) | Faceoffs % | 51.9% (5th) |
| 15.6 (27th) | Least PIM's Per Game | 11.7 (12th) |
| +32 (4th) | + / - GF/GA | -14 (23rd) |
Hey look! Another team that is floundering that the Canucks should destroy! The Bruins have not won a game since January 14 (against the Sharks of all teams) leaving the fans and the team bewildered. Hell, I'm amazed myself. But take a look at all the injuries they have had to put up with this year. Insane.
Now take a look at how their best players are performing this year compared to last year and it's pretty easy to figure out why they are last in the NHL in goals for. I'm sure there are a host of other issues like team D and the play of Tim Thomas to blame as well. I don't really care how bad they are doing. The Canucks had better bring their A-game against them or suffer the consequences. This is the B's last home game before they go on the road for 4 straight before the Olympic Break.I expect them to play a strong game.
Boston has only scored 7 goals in their last 5 games. In that span:
-David Krejci has 2 goals and 2 assists
-Marc Savard has 3 assists
-Mark Recchi has 2 goals
-Derek Morris and Dennis Wideman have 2 assists each
-Blake Wheeler has 1 goal and 1 assist
-Futility deluxe: Marco Sturm and Milan Lucic have 1 goal. Zdeno Chara and Michael Ryder have 1 assist each. Patrice Bergeron has no points in that 5-game span.
Terrible.
The Canucks' top line has cooled off. In the last 2 Canucks games (both losses):
-Hank has no points
-Dank has 1 assist
-Burrows has zero points.
Much of the Canucks' success rides on these guys and it really should not always be that way. Where is the secondary scoring? Well, as I had hoped, the Canucks addressed that issue today. Pavol Demitra will play on Line 2 with Kesler and Raymond while Samuelsson will play with Wellwood and Glass. I like this move. I think we are about to see some great things from the new RPM line. Teams are covering the Burrdins more and more so these lines need to provide some relief thus creating space for the Burrdins. There will be some gusto on Line 2 because you know Demitra has been waiting to earn his spot there. I thought he did that against the Senators.
Steve Bernier will watch this one from his cozy doghouse, apparently. Watch and learn, Stevie.
Bottom line though is that the Canucks have to come out stronger in this game. The loss to the Sens was a pure example of a team not being ready to play or not willing to play right out of the gate.
-Let's see how Roberto Luongo responds after his break.
I smell good things in this matinee game. Get your caffeine in, it starts early. And Luongo....stretch that f**king groin out good pregame.
Go Canucks!
How about a video to get you into the groove? Well this one was a terrible and tragic incident that ended Marty McSorley's career.