Very quickly:
- Wow. The Preds looked like a deer staring into headlights. The Canucks came out determined and maintained a steady effort..again.
- Pekka Rinne. Some spectacular saves tonight. Many routine stops as well. The Canucks didn't get enough traffic in front of him, but the Preds sure can box guys out to clear the rebounds and tidy up in front of him.
- 12 combined shots for the Sedins (6 each). No points. In their last 5 games, Daniel has 2 goals, no assists, 23 shots and is a -6. Henrik has 1 assist, 14 shots and is a -7. They looked much-improved in Game 1 but need to start burying their chances soon.
- A couple of former Habs get in on the Canucks' only goal of the night: Maxim Lapierre dished it to Chris Higgins midway through the second period. Damn, Rinne almost stopped that one too.
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Keith Ballard did take a stupid tripping penalty but aside from that he was a physical force. The hip check on Jordin Tootoo was a beauty but the refs deemed it clipping. Read the rules on clipping here. Now look at this:
Hmm...You have to wonder if the refs are going to call more of these. I haven't seen many clipping calls this season, and Hamhuis and Ballard have thrown a lot of them. I guess the NHL gave the refs a heads up on this. The best part is that the Canucks kept threatening to throw them even after the clipping penalty. Even Christian Ehrhoff threatened to do it. The Preds cowered or turned over the puck or gave up on the play when that happened. Awesome. Also loved Ballard's end to end rush where he got a shot off, bowled over Ryan Soother I mean Suter and then got his own rebound.
- The shots were 26-12 Canucks after 2 periods and 30-20 when all was said and done. It felt more like 50-15.
- Only 3 goals scored by Vancouver in their last 2 wins. Concerning? Only if they lose! What pressure from all 4 lines. It looks like Vigneault has hit a jackpot with his lines now.
- Reffing. Strange. I think Nashville got the shaft a few times there.
- Patric Hornqvist got a hat trick tonight...in minor penalties.
- Mike Fisher's shorthanded breakaway could have been costly. I expect he's going to get a few more chances like that SH in this series.
- Mats Sundin! Mats Sundin! Good to see him there supporting a real team.
- Expect a higher tempo, more hits and less failure from the Preds in Game 2.
- Nice trend: Luongo gets a shutout in both Game 1's in these playoffs. Higgins has the game-winner in both Game 1's.
- BOXSCORE
- REACTION / GAME REVIEW AT ON THE FORECHECK
- HIGHLIGHTS: