These teams aren't doing their respective vicious animal namesakes/former corporate entities any justice.
Despite all the vitriol being batted around Vancouver (gasp!), remember the toll of injuries, travel and cold streaks affect every team. Our winning streak blinded us to that. Nevertheless, Vancouver is 7-0-2 in regulation in their last nine games at home and played a strong game (in stretches) against the Avs. Tonight the Canucks hold the advantage of goals per game and special teams (granted it would help if gentlemen with the last name of Tambellini, Raymond, Samuelsson, Torres and Malhotra would join the party, but so be it). A few things are bad in a sea of good. How about some brevity from the Dude?
Look, nothing is fucked, here, man.
San Jose is a perennial powerhouse that's been stumbling. Two straight wins help mask their humbling losses to the Oil and Leafs. Antti Niemi has started both games against the Canucks this season and has paid for it. The Sharks defense remains their key weakness and recent moves speak to a pending trade to address that. Let's not forget Mr. Wellwood was part of the Canucks problem last year and couldn't find a home with any team for a modest price as a consequence. Wellwood is talented, but essentially one-dimensional; strong-working, but questionably effective. A cheap solution at the right time for a San Jose lot that's battling consistency and injuries. Perhaps they'll learn what Oilers and Blue Jackets fans warned us with Torres: the talent is there, the results more often are not. Lastly, I'm at a loss for words to understand why Doug Wilson needs Ben Eager around, so I'm left to presume he drinks, drunk texts and has Sutter on speed-dial.
The Big Lebowski: What makes a man, Mr. Lebowski?
The Dude: Dude.
The Big Lebowski: Huh?
The Dude: Uhh... I don't know sir.
The Big Lebowski: Is it being prepared to do the right thing, whatever the cost? Isn't that what makes a man?
The Dude: Hmmm... Sure, that and a pair of testicles.
Truth!
Go Canucks.