Luongo vs. the world.

The sky is falling in the city of Vancouver, and spring has barely sprung. Following with the seasons, the Vancouver Canucks have taken only a few strides out of the starting gate but have had a tough start to the Stanley Cup Finals, dropping their Game One matchup against the Kings for the first time since  2007 against the Anaheim Ducks.

The ghosts of playoff past came back to haunt the Canucks in Game One, allowing the Kings to capitalize on a number of old tricks to take the first game of the series, cutting down home ice advantage in the process. Mike Richards and the Kings took advantage of Vancouver’s suspect special teams play on Wednesday, converting a pair of power play goals to quiet the home crowd after Alex Burrows gave fans something to cheer about with an early lead.

Darryl Sutter’s Kings played to the importance of the power play during Game One, keeping the trash-talking to a minimum and keeping out of the scrums in an attempt to avoid trading power plays with the Canucks. As it turns out, the Kings may as well trade special teams chances all series, the Canucks can’t seem to keep it running hot during the post-season.

While the narrative was blown well out of proportion last June, the big bad Bruins did manage to bully the Canucks effectively during last year’s Cup finals, taking advantage of Vancouver’s toothless power play on the way to victory. A year later the Canucks appear to be falling into the same old patterns after a putrid power play shifted around the ice on Monday, obviously missing a key piece to the puzzle. With or without Daniel Sedin, the Canucks must find a way to get their power play clicking to keep the Kings honest. Calls may be hard to come by  for the Canucks after Ryan Kesler did his best to validate Vancouver’s not-so-tough reputation during Game One.

Vancouver's reputation is slightly suspect.

Via /R/Hockey, Vancouver’s reputation on the ice is slightly suspect.

The home team was distracted by post-whistle antics, trash-talking and other forms of “gamesmanship” during Game One, but can expect different treatment from the referees tonight after it was clear the Canucks were doing their best to earn the extra call on Wednesday.

Vigneault on 0-for-5 pp: “I’d be kidding if I say we don’t need the power play. You need it to make sure the other team stays honest.”

— Ben Kuzma (@benkuzma) April 12, 2012

While the power play is an integral component of any team’s offensive production, during past playoff rounds the Canucks have struggled to keep consistent on the man advantage, forced instead to grind out scoring chances 5-on-5. With Daniel Sedin expected out of the lineup again tonight against the Kings, Vancouver’s skaters must focus on winning the team game at even strength in order to dictate the types of power plays awarded. After finishing the regular season with the 4^th best even-strength goal differential with 1.19 goals for/against, the Canucks must simplify their game against the Kings who held actually allowed more goals than they scored at even-strength throughout the regular season.

As you may remember, the Canucks and Kings have been down this road before. The series between Los Angeles and Vancouver only two years ago featured a potent Kings power play that carried the team to a 2-1 series lead before the Canucks responded to turn the series around at even strength. After three games the Kings held a 7-2 advantage in power play goals, relying on Michal Handzus and a different version of Drew Doughty to generate scoring opportunities. Just as the Canucks awoke from their special teams slumber and began to focus on a more sustainable game plan two years ago against the Kings, the home team must focus on winning the 5-on-5 matchup tonight after having the game taken to them in their own barn  to open the series.

Canucks Against the World

Roberto Luongo was Vancouver’s best player during Game One, and should share his playoff mindset with his teammates after the Canucks skaters had a tough time in front of the under-appreciated one. Luongo was been dragged through the mud in Vancouver, but brought his A-game on Wednesday, keeping the Canucks in a contest they showed little reason to compete in.

After allowing the Kings to dominate Rogers Arena on Wednesday, the Canucks must embrace an us-against-the-world mentality on the ice tonight in Vancouver. Taking the team’s reputation for theatrics into account, the Canucks shouldn’t expect any soft calls against their opposition during Game Two. If anything Kesler and the Canucks will pay for their previous transgressions tonight as the power play drought touches down in Vancouver.

Off the ice, the playoff atmosphere across Canada has overcome hockey fans, portraying the Canucks as villains from Vancouver during this year’s race for the Cup. Canada’s national pastime has transformed into the four-round-hate, focussing a season’s worth of animosity towards the Canucks and their fans. Byron Bitz didn’t do much to help his team’s image on Wednesday after hitting Kyle Clifford with a hard check to the head which earned a two-game suspension from Brendan Shanahan. A chorus of Boos certainly didn’t help the reputation of Rogers Arena, either.

Despite what was a dangerous and obviously illegal check to the head from the fourth liner, the Canucks must continue to force a physical game as embodied by Bitz, David Booth and other big hitters in Game One. For right or for wrong, Brendan Shanahan and the NHL’s disciplinary committee have made it quite clear that suspensions will not step up to the intensity of playoff hockey, and frankly the Canucks need to take advantage of the system they’re forced to play under.

You don’t have to call Daniel Sedin’s father to know it is much better to be the hammer, rather than the nail, in a league without legitimate supplementary discipline.

In other words, World Wrestling Federation garage league rules now apply.

Todd Bertuzzi will be with the Red Wings for two more years after signing a contract extension last Thursday. Photo by Bridget Samuels.

Despite All-Star goalie Jimmy Howard returning to the lineup, it wasn’t the best of weeks for the Detroit Red Wings (41-19-3, 84 points). Not only did they go 0-2-1 for the week, they lost fellow All-Star Pavel Datsyuk for up to three weeks as he recovers from knee surgery. The news didn’t get any better for the club when it was revealed that Jonathan Ericsson would be out for the next month with a fractured wrist.

The Red Wings brought back a familiar face in Kyle Quincey, who was acquired in a three-team trade with Colorado and Tampa Bay last week. As of now the defense corps is almost set. After the trade deadline passes, the Red Wings can call up prospects like Brendan Smith and not be penalized for doing so. It doesn’t hurt to bring for offensive spark to the club and can afford to do it.

While Rick Nash is far from the Red Wings’ radar, players such as Dustin Brown, Travis Moen, Teemu Selanne and Alexander Semin are reportedly on the block, but as long as the Red Wings don’t mortgage a lot of their top prospects and/or draft picks to land any of them, they should remain in great shape for another Stanley Cup run.

Team Leaders:

Goals: Johan Franzen-23

Assists: Pavel Datsyuk-43

Points: Pavel Datsyuk-59

Plus/Minus: Nicklas Lidstrom-+25

Penalty Minutes: Todd Bertuzzi/Justin Abdelkader-54

Power Play Goals: Johan Franzen-11

Game-Winning Goals: Johan Franzen-10

Short Handed Goals: Brad Stuart/Valtteri Filppula-1

Shots on Goal: Henrik Zetterberg-191

Shooting Percentage: Jiri Hudler-22.7%

Average Ice Time Per Game: Nicklas Lidstrom-23:56

Goalie Stats:

Jimmy Howard- 32-13-2; 2.09 goals against average; .923 save percentage; 5 shutouts

Joey MacDonald-6-1-1; 1.66 goals against average; .934 save percentage

Ty Conklin- 3-5-0; 3.40 goals against average; .878 save percentage, 1 shutout

Game 61:  Detroit Red Wings 1  Chicago Blackhawks 3

Despite Jimmy Howard’s return and becoming the last line of defense, the Red Wings’ six-game winning streak came to a halt. The Blackhawks got goals from Jimmy Hayes and Marcus Kruger while Valtteri Filppula scored the lone goal for the Red Wings.  The Red Wings are 14-15-1 away from the Joe Louis Arena.

Game 62:  Vancouver Canucks 4  Detroit Red Wings 3 (SO)

It looked as if the Red Wings were going to extend their NHL record to 24 straight wins on home ice, but Daniel Sedin had other plans as he blasted his second goal of the game with 16 seconds left to tie the game at 3-3. No one scored in overtime and it had to come to a shootout. None of the shooters from either team scored until Alex Burrows scored in the third round to end the Red Wings’ home winning streak, which should last for many years.  Jimmy Howard was once again spectacular between the pipes and the Grind Line 2.o of Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller and Darren Helm were the team’s top line, but at the end, it didn’t matter.

Game 63:  Colorado Avalanche 4  Detroit Red Wings 3

Not even three minutes had gone in the game, a couple of bad breaks got the Avs on the board twice. The Red Wings rallied from a three-goal deficit, but didn’t get the equalizer as they started a different streak as they lost two in a row on home ice.  Gabriel Landeskog scored twice to lead the Avs while Jiri Hudler scored the first two Red Wing goals to start the comeback. Valtteri Filppula scored to make it a one-goal game, but that’s how the game ended.

Red Wings Three Stars of the Week:

Justin Abdelkader-one goal, two assists, +4 rating, 12 pim

Henrik Zetterberg-one goal, three assists, +1 rating

Valtteri Filppula-two goals, two assists

Team Transactions:

February 20: G Ty Conklin placed on waivers

February 21: F Dan Cleary off injured-reserve list, Conklin assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL), Red Wings acquire D Kyle Quincey from Tampa Bay for 2012 first-round draft pick and prospect Sebastien Piche

February 23: F Todd Bertuzzi re-signed with team for two-year extension

Team Injuries:

Pavel Datsyuk (knee surgery) out 1-2 weeks, Jonathan Ericsson (fractured wrist) out 1 month

This Week’s Games:

The Red Wings face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday in the Buckeye State.  Friday, they return to the Joe and face the Minnesota Wild and end the week at home with a Sunday afternoon affair with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Despite their 23-game home winning streak being halted by the Vancouver Canucks last night, Justin Abdelkader and Drew Miller were a couple of bright spots for the Red Wings. Photo by Bridget Samuels.

With one shot, it was over.  Alex Burrows scored the only goal in the third round of the shootout as the Vancouver Canucks snapped the Detroit Red Wings’ 23-game winning streak at home (an NHL record) with a 4-3 win. It was the best road team beating the best home team.

I think the last time the Red Wings lost at home was during the Bryan Murray era and Yves Racine coughed up the puck… er, never mind.

Last night’s contest at the Joe Louis Arena could be a preview of this year’s Western Conference Finals.

First, I have to say that the streak was very impressive. Forget comparing the eras or games decided in overtime or a shootout.  Winning 23 games straight in your own rink is an anomaly. The record is nice and I’ve soaked it all in, but all good things must come to an end. It’s time to look forward to the next game and beyond.

But let’s look at last night’s game between the Red Wings and Canucks. There were some bright spots and some that weren’t so bright.

Let’s start with the goaltending. Jimmy Howard was sharp between the cage and if it wasn’t for him, the Canucks would have won easily. I’m not sure if Gisele Bundschen watched the game, but if she did, she may have yelled at the nearest person that the goalie can’t (expletive) stop the puck and shoot the puck.

Speaking of offense, praises are on the way to the team’s third line of Drew Miller, Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm. The trio combined for six points with a combined plus/minus rating of +7 and were the team’s best forward line by a country mile. Those are pretty much the positives from last night’s game.

Despite taking a 1-0 lead after the first period, the Red Wings were out-shot 17-5 and the goal came from a turnover by Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa. He coughed up the puck from the Red Wings’ own zone and Helm quickly recovered it and went off to the races, beating Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo stick side.

Where has Johan Franzen been? He has one point in his last five games and he has to pick it up in the scoring department. Franzen ended the night with only one shot on goal and a -3 rating. Not a good night for the team’s second leading scorer.

The Red Wings shot blanks in the power-play department as they didn’t convert on any of their five opportunities with the man advantage. Losing an MVP-type player in Pavel Datsyuk certainly doesn’t help.

Overall, the team needs to pick up the offensive slack. The line of Miller, Abdelkader and Helm can’t be the team’s leading scorer’s every night. Guys like Franzen, Jiri Hudler and Todd Bertuzzi have to step up.

Speaking of Datsyuk, it’s noticeable when he isn’t in the lineup and it’s showing as of late. He’s one of the top defensive forwards in the NHL and normally gives the Canucks’ top line of Alex Burrows and the Sedin Twins fits (i.e February 2). If he were in the lineup, the result might have been different.

Last night is now in the dust and now it’s time to get ready for tomorrow night’s game against the Colorado Avalanche. Let’s hope that the team can get back on the winning track.

Two plays victimized the Predators in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks at the Bridgestone Arena. Two defensive breakdowns led to two quick first period goals by the Canucks en route to a 3-1 first period lead. The Predators fought back to force the shootout, but fell in the sixth round to the Canucks as the visitors won the shootout 2-1.

Pekka Rinne got the start in net for the Predators, and he gave up the first goal of the game with Vancouver on a power play. Ryan Kessler beat Rinne with a snap shot from just inside the face off circle at 11:42 of the first period. To this point in the game, the Predators had out shot the Canucks 9-3.

The Predators answered at 13:47 of the first as Colin Wilson took a pass from David Legwand and fired a wrist shot a Roberto Luongo. Bobby Lou let the puck slip between his arm and his body for the tying goal.

With the home crowd in full throat and momentum with the Predators, it appeared as if they had an opportunity to get control of the game.

That is when the first of two bad plays by the Predators occurred.

The Predators were caught in a bad line change and the Canucks capitalized. Byron Bitz scored off a feed from Henrik Sedin as he walked in on Rinne and beat him with a quick wrist shot. The Predators defensive coverage was not in position, and the Canucks made them pay for the mistake at 18:21.

Just 23 seconds later, Daniel Sedin split the defense of Kevin Klein and Roman Josi and buried a shot from the low slot to give the Canucks a 3-1 lead.

Two bad plays, two goals, and another hole for the Predators.

This is the Predators, however, a team that fears no deficit.

The Predators had mounted good pressure against Luongo and the Canucks defense in the first period, and they continued to pressure the Canucks in the second. Time to chip away and get back in the game.

That is exactly what they did just 4:14 into the second period. Kevin Klein took a shot from the blue line, and it hit the skate of Sergei Kostitsyn, who was cutting across the slot. The puck re-directed off the skate of Kostitsyn and past Luongo. After a brief review, the goal was called good by the replay officials and the Predators trailed 3-2.

The Predators would tie the game at 3 at 5:16 of the second as Shea Weber took a shot from the blue line that hit Mike Fisher and squirted between the pads of Luongo. As Luongo moved, the puck was deflected off his leg and trickled over the goal line.

The ability of the Predators to battle back from another deficit, especially against a great team like the Canucks was heartening. It just felt as if the Predators momentum would carry them to a goal that would give them the lead.

It was not to be as both goalies took over the game. Both Rinne and Luongo made some big saves in the remainder of the second period as well as the third period to keep the game knotted at 3. There were times where the Predators controlled the puck in the Vancouver zone and created some good chances, but could not solve Luongo.

The same held true for the Canucks, as they used their excellent cycling ability to control the puck and create some chances. Rinne was up to the task, and the game went to overtime.

In the overtime period, the Predators controlled the puck and had 3 shots on goal, while the Canucks managed 2. Neither team found the net. For the game, the Predators out shot the Canucks 40-31.

In the shootout, Rinne stopped Mason Raymond and Ryan Kessler before Alexander Burrows scored off a nice backhand move. Luongo stopped Sergei Kostitsyn and Martin Erat missed the net. With the game on the line, David Legwand beat Luongo with a backhand to extend the shootout.

Rinne stoned Daniel Sedin and Cody Hodgson before Alex Edler beat him five hole. Luongo stopped Ryan Ellis and Mike Fisher.

With the game on the line, Colin Wilson beat Luongo with a backhand but the puck just went outside the far post, and the Canucks escaped with a 4-3 win.

Vancouver is one of the elite teams in the NHL, and for the Predators to battle back and force the shootout speaks volumes about their effort and their compete level. Two bad plays bit the Predators, and against an opponent the caliber of the Canucks, that can- and did- cost the game.

I especially was impressed with the play of Sergei Kostitsyn. He battled hard all night, hustled, and his effort on a back check prevented a very good scoring chance for the Canucks.

Although the Predators failed to put away the Canucks, there are positives to take away from this game. The ability to battle back against a quality opponent like the Canucks speaks volumes about the heart and character of this team. This team believes in themselves and in their ability to win every game. That is evident by the way they refused to wilt in the face of the Canucks pressure and their early lead.

Limit the mistakes, the bad plays, and the Predators will not have an opponent slip past them.

My three stars:

1. Byron Bitz

2. Sergei Kostitsyn

3. Roberto Luongo

With the win, the Red Wings are stretching their lead in the much-heated Central Division by five points over the second place Nashville Predators and six over the St. Louis  Blues and Chicago Blackhawks. They still have the best record in the NHL with 71 points.

The Red Wings got goals in regulation from Hudler, Danny Cleary and Drew Miller.  Jimmy Howard recorded 22 saves for his league-leading 32nd win of the season. Howard was rarely tested in the first two periods, but he had to face a Canucks’ onslaught in the third period by stopping 13 of 15 shots.

On the other side of the Red Wings’ net was the Canucks’ best player. Roberto Luongo made 40 saves for his team and if it weren’t for him, the Red Wings would have won convincingly. Luongo has been under a microscope in Vancouver, but tonight he can’t be at fault. He stopped Valtteri Filppula, Todd Bertuzzi and Johan Franzen on breakaways in the first period, so here was his defense the first two periods?

The Red Wings took control of the game for the first 40 minutes, but they took the foot off of the gas pedal in the third period by blowing two third-period leads.

Danny Cleary netted his 11th goal (150th career goal) to give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead, but Ryan Kesler responded back with his 15th of the season to tie things up at 1-1.  Hudler gave the Red Wings the lead at 13:51 of the season as he got the puck with a cross-ice pass from Filppula, beating Luongo from the left faceoff circle.

The Canucks tied the game at 2-2 when Alex Burrows recovered a turnover by Drew Miller and blasted a shot from the center of the left faceoff circle.  Miller rebounded from the gaffe and scored when he picked up the loose puck to put it past Luongo. The Red Wings’ lead was short-lived when Mason Raymond blasted a shot from outside the left circle and beat Howard, who was screened to tie the game at 3-3.

The Red Wings had their chance to win it in overtime, but couldn’t beat Luongo, who stopped all five shots in the extra session.  The odds were in the Red Wings favor going into their sixth shootout of the season.  Howard was barely tested in the shootout, but Luongo didn’t have a chance with Datsyuk and Hudler beating him stick side.  The Red Wings are now a perfect 6-0 in shootouts this season.

Instead of the Red Wings sending their next opponents a “Thank You” card, they have to do battle with the Edmonton Oilers at the Rexall Place on Saturday night.  The Oilers are off to a good start in the second half of the season with their last game an 8-4 blowout of the Blackhawks. Maybe they should find a way to contain Sam Gagner who did his best Wayne Gretzky impression as he had an 8-point night (four goals, four assists) against the Blackhawks.

In a game with such an abnormal amount of calls, including an early first period scenario that saw nine penalties assessed at the same time, it was difficult for the game to form any ebb and flow, or sustain any extended periods of 5-on-5 play. Included in the aforementioned first period scrum, was a since-rescinded game misconduct given to Bruins’ winger Milan Lucic. The penalty was assigned after the officials believed that the B’s hulking winger had illegally left his team’s bench to come to the defense of teammate Shawn Thornton, who was being mugged old-school prison style by six Canuck players. In fairness to the officials, during the heat of the moment, it can be tremendously difficult to make the proper determination, as to if Lucic had indeed left the bench, or not. Bruins’ head coach Claude Julien echoed these sentiments after Saturday’s contest.

“I’m not blaming (the referees) – they’re in the middle of a scrum there – but Looch was on the ice already. It wasn’t an illegal change; he didn’t come off the bench. There are no issues there in my mind; it’s clear.” – Claude Julien

Despite the overwhelmingly absurd number of penalty calls on Saturday afternoon, it was the special teams units of the Bruins that ultimately cost them the game. Albeit on eleven chances, the Black and Gold allowed their Western Conference rivals to put four power-play goals past Tim Thomas during Saturday’s action. The four tallies would be all the Canucks could muster, but was indeed enough for the victory.

“They were making plays, but not necessarily totally by their movement. Like the first goal was a funny bounce, those happen. Especially on good teams with good power plays. Other ones they were utilizing the screen real well.” – Tim Thomas

On the other end of that spectrum, the Boston power-play posted a less-than-motivating 0-7 spot during Saturday’s game, and were completely shut-down by the Vancouver penalty-killers. Credit where credit is due, as the Canuck PKers did an excellent job in keeping the Bruins’ offense to the outside of the proverbial “box”.

Scoring first was Ryan Kesler, who corralled a rebound towards the tail end of a 5-on-3 advantage and fired it past Thomas at the 5:41 mark of the first frame.

“We’ve faced adversity before and normally we try to kill those and unfortunately today we didn’t, we didn’t kill it, but hopefully we improve for the next game.” – Daniel Paille

Not to be outdone, the B’s bounced back just over nine minutes later, when Brad Marchand beat Schneider with a back-hander after a pretty little feed from fellow sophomore Tyler Seguin Boston would take their first and only lead of the day, when Rich Peverley took advantage of an Alexander Edler turnover and beat Schneider with a glove side wrister.

From that point on, the Canucks would dominate most of the action, pinning the B’s in their own zone for a good portion of the remainder of the game. To end the second frame, Vancouver would use tallies from Alex Burrows and Henrik Sedin to grab a 3-2 lead heading into the final twenty.

Arguably the best player on the ice for either team, Canucks’ rookie Cody Hodgson would register his tenth of the season with a blistering slapshot that managed to get past the reigning Vezina trophy winner, and into the Boston net. The B’s would add one more as David Krejci was able to tap home a Joe Corvo rebound on the back-hand only 0:42 seconds later, but were unable to muster up enough to get a tying goal, throughout the remainder of the period, as the Canucks held on for a 4-3 victory.

From The Room:

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Cory Schneider (Vancouver)

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Paille

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Henrik Sedin (Vancouver)

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Kelly

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Thomas

KEY STATS

Goals–                       VAN (4)                   BOS (3)

Shots–                       VAN (36)                 BOS (39)

Power-Play–           VAN (4-11)                BOS (0-7)

Penalty-Kill–           VAN (7-7)                    BOS (7-11)

• Ben’s Three Stars– ….. 3.) Nathan Horton ….. 2.) Cody Hodgson   ….. 1.) Cory Schneider

What’s Next?

The B’s will continue their four-game home-stand on Tuesday when they host Dustin Byfuglien and the Winnipeg Jets at TD Garden. The Canucks will head south for a set of games in Florida, with a showdown with the Lightning slated for Monday and a face-off against the Panthers on Tuesday.

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The key match-up going into the game was a battle between two of the top goalies in the NHL. Roberto Luongo won this round by out-dueling Jimmy Howard.   Luongo made 39 saves, including 16 saves in the third period for his 14th win of the season, while Howard stopped 21 shots for the Red Wings.

The Red Wings had given up 16 first-period goals going into Vancouver, but they quickly trailed 2-0 midway through the first as the Canucks jump-started their offense with goals by Chris Higgins and Cory Hodgson 21 seconds apart.

Todd Bertuzzi got things going for the Red Wings by scoring his fourth goal of the season off of a rebound, but the Canucks didn’t let up.  Alex Burrows must have studied the Red Wings offense because was in front of Howard and tipped-in a Daniel Sedin shot to make it 3-1.

Burrows is a fortunate player by playing alongside two of the leagues’s gifted offensive forwards in Daniel and Henrik Sedin.  The line has combined for 10 points in the last two games.

Drew Miler got the only goal in the second period, cutting the Canucks’ lead to 3-2.

In a play that hoped to swing the momentum for the Red Wings, Ryan Kesler got “Kronwalled” as he was leveled with a clean hit by Niklas Kronwall.  Kesler reacted to the hit by retaliating and was given a roughing penalty, giving the Red Wings an opportunity to tie the game. Maybe Kesler should have kept his head up.

Unfortunately, the momentum favored the Canucks when Jannik Hansen, who was trying to fight off Henrik Zetterberg, crashed the net and took out Howard, while Alexander Edler put the puck into the net for a shorthanded goal sealing the game for the Canucks. Howard, who was upset and thought the goal shouldn’t have counted, jumped on Hansen after the Edler goal, but was separated by the referees.

The Red Wings had chances on the power-play, but went 0-for-4 with the man-advantage.  With the Canucks having home ice advantage, they took a page out of the Red Wings’ playbook by outscoring their opponent in the first period. The Canucks jumped to a 2-0 lead and didn’t look back, but the Red Wings had their chances to score on Luongo.

While Luongo has reclaimed his position as the Canucks’ number one goalie for the last eight games, Howard tried to keep his team in the game, but the Red Wings made mistakes with turnovers and poor play in the neutral zone. With Howard playing a heavy workload this season, Red Wings head coach could give him a well-deserved night off and give Ty Conklin some playing time in their next game.

The Red Wings will try to get their second win on their current road trip as they do battle with the Calgary Flames Thursday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Nashville had Pekka Rinne in net, while the Canucks countered with their red hot goalie- no, not that guy- Cory Schnieder, who was 5-0 in his last five starts.

The Predators changed up their lines, moving Craig Smith up on a line with Mike Fisher and Marty Erat. Smith was replacing the injured Sergei Kostitsyn, and the hope was that this line would generate some offensive push for the Predators, who desperately needed some scoring.

The Predators opened the contest skating hard and generating some offensive chances. Their offensive efforts would be short circuited early as the aforementioned Smith would get called for hooking. Fortunately for the Predators, Dan Hamhuis was called for holding just 58 seconds into the power play.

Shortly after the Predators went on the power play, Colin Wilson dug the puck out from behind the net and passed it to David Legwand. Legwand ripped a shot short side over the shoulder of Schneider to make it 1-0 Predators at 5:44 of the first period.

The Predators would make it 2-0 on a goal by Mike Fisher at 8:16. Fisher took a pass from Marty Erat and was strong on the puck driving the net. His backhand shot beat Schneider to the far side post and the Predators had tallied goals on their first two shots of the game.

One of the keys for the Predators was to stay out of the box, as the Canucks have the number one ranked PP unit in the NHL. Unfortunately, Shea Weber didn’t get that memo, as he was called for holding. Cody Hodgson made the Predators pay for their transgression as he drove the net and beat Pekka Rinne over his shoulder to make it 2-1 at 9:58 of the first period.

The Predators managed to kill off a Marty Erat penalty (whew!) and got back to even strength and skated well with the Canucks. They managed to keep an explosive offensive relatively in check, helped by some good saves from Pekka Rinne.

At 18:49 of the first period, Henrik Sedin was called for for hooking. Cory Schneider made an amazing save on a Shea Weber blast from the blue line. Weber would get his revenge with just 10 seconds left on the period as he had crept down low in the zone and lifted the puck over Schneider to make it 3-1 Predators.

The Predators power play was very efficient, as was their offensive effort. The Predators scored on both their power plays and on 3 of their 5 shots in the period. The Canucks were held to seven shots in the first period.

A solid period of hockey by the Predators, save for the the three trips to the penalty box. It was time for this team to put together a full 60 minutes of hockey and capture an important victory.

Roberto Luongo came in for the Canucks to start the second period.

Once again, the Predators could not stay out of the box, and it bit them in the ass.With Jerred Smithson in the box for slashing, Daniel Sedin got loose at the side of the net and beat Rinne with a shot that Rinne would like to have back at 3:10 of the second.

Just 48 seconds later, Aaron Volpati got free in the low slot and beat Rinne five hole to tie the game at 3.

So much for that solid 60 minutes of hockey by the Predators. They now had to get momentum on their side and take back control of the game.

The Canucks took a 4-3 lead as Henrik Sedin walked out from behind the net and it was re-directed by Alex Burrows at 8:16 of the second period. Three goals erased all the momentum and work of the first period as the Predators collapse was in full swing in this period.

The defense of the Predators had become a sieve in this period, and it was burning the Predators. An absolutely horrific defensive effort in this period had victimized the Predators as they saw their momentum and their lead evaporate.

Jannik Hansen made it 5-3 Canucks at 10:29 as he blew a puck past Rinne, who was unscreened. That was it as Rinne was pulled and Anders Lindback came on for the Predators.

Jordin Tootoo has shown no quit in his game, and he got loose just inside the face off circle and rifled a shot past Luongo at 16:09 off as assist from Ryan Suter and Craig Smith. Tootoo’s effort momentarily halted the momentum of the Canucks and breathed some new life into the Predators. This was Tootoo’s third goal of the season, and for the night, Craig Smith had three assists.

Colin Wilson tied the game on the power play with Ryan Kessler in the box as he took a nice feed from David Legwand. Wilson was breaking in and took the puck to his backhand and lifted the puck over the shoulder of Luongo for the Predators third power play goal of the game.

Just when it looked as if the Predators had given up, suddenly, they showed some heart and clawed their way back into this game. Tied at 5, this game has the makings of a wild affair going into the third period.

The third period was back and forth, mostly back for the Predators as the Predators were kept on their heels for most of the period by the aggressive offensive attack of the Canucks. Lindback made some big saves, and for the most, the Predators were struggling to generate some offense.

That would change at 18:35 of the third as Marty Erat broke in toward the net and fed Mike Fisher who backhanded the puck over the sprawling Luongo to give the Predators an improbable 6-5 lead.

As unreal as it appeared after the Predators collapsed in the early part of the second period, they had come back to claim a huge 6-5 road win over a quality opponent.

This is the kind of win that can prove to be pivotal for a young team. Learning how to face down adversity and come back from a disastrous period of hockey. Learning how to keep fighting and scrapping and realizing that you are never out of a game.

Vancouver out shot the Predators 37-20, and kudos go to Anders Lindback, who stopped all 19 shots he faced.

In previous games, this team would have folded in the face of this kind of adversity. Tonight, they kept fighting. Tonight, they grew up a little.

This team still has lessons to learn. Never let an opponent claw their way back into the game like you did tonight, boys.

The other lesson? You are never out of it. Your heart and your fight and your character carried you to a win tonight.

Build on that lesson.

My three stars:

1. Mike Fisher

2. Anders Lindback

3. Colin Wilson

Howard, who was the number one star of the game, made the save of the game as he stopped Alex Burrows on a breakaway five minutes into the second period and later stopped Dale Weise on another breakaway.  The Red Wings now have gone 121 minutes and 31 seconds without giving up a goal.  Howard’s shutout bid was in jeopardy near the end of the second period as Cory Hodgson shot the puck which went off Howard and into the net.  But after further review, the puck was in the net after the time expired at the end of the period.

The Red Wings got the scoring started at 8:37 of the second period as Justin Abdelkader got a pass from Todd Bertuzzi and put the puck past Canucks goalie Cory Schneider for a 1-0 lead.  It was later 2-0 as Valtteri Filppula passed the puck to Johan Franzen.  Franzen then passed it back to Filppula on a give-and-go, who hit a lightning-quick wrist shot past Schneider for the insurance goal.

The Red Wings dominated the Canucks (1-2-1) in the second period as they outshot them 24-8.  Schneider was brilliant as he stopped 35 shots, but his teammates couldn’t put the puck past Jimmy Howard.  Being an understudy to Canucks number one goalie Roberto Luongo, Schneider would be a solid number one netminder for most NHL clubs, and he showed it tonight.

The Canucks were without injured forwards Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond while the Red Wings were without defenseman Mike Commodore.

The Red Wings are starting to get back to concentrating on their own end of the ice, which is a good sign.  Head coach Mike Babcock must have said something to wake up the players after their collapse in the third period in last Friday’s win over the Ottawa Senators.  Red Wing players Jakub Kindl and Cory Emmerton are showing their worth to the team with solid play tonight.  It was a solid ‘A’ Game brought by the Red Wings.

Three Stars Of The Game

Jimmy Howard-25 shots,25 saves

Justin Abdelkader-one goal

Valtteri Filppula-one goal

The Red Wings next game is this Saturday as the travel to St.Paul to pay a visit to the Minnesota Wild.

In his last playoff game with the Flyers, Carcillo had a problem with the officiating, so the left wing took it upon himself between periods to express his displeasure to the men in stripes. Carcillo did so off the ice near the official’s dressing room. That area is well known to be off limits to players, but it didn’t stop Carcillo.

Unfortunately Carcillo’s actions often have no limits. For those who believe you can’t take the spots off a leopard, it will only be a matter time until Carcillo implodes.

Carcillo’s Car Bomb moniker does fit. At times, Carcillo’s actions have destroyed the opportunity of victory for his teammates. His frequent brain cramps and subsequent penalties/suspensions can cost a club valuable points. Hawks fans are skeptical a player who embraces the nickname Car Bomb can ever be reliable.

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Al’s Shots

With a few players close to returning to action Brandon Saad was returned to the OHL.

He has a big future in the NHL as long as he doesn’t regress. Saad should be able to excel when playing against boys.

Crawford is questionable for tonight….My guess is he will play.

If not Alexander Salak could make his debut.

*Crawford must be fine…Salak sent down to Rockford. 10:15 AM CST

Ray Emery had come down with the flu.

But is on the ice this morning….Maybe he gets the start??

Hawks need to keep taking advanatge of their favorable home schedule.

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I never said the Canucks have a good taste in music.

Meet The Band

Only a few short months ago the Vancouver Canucks had two chances to clinch the Stanley Cup versus the Boston Bruins. After failing to win the much-cherished chalice the Canucks return to NHL action with a target on their backs but no rings on their fingers. Instead, Tyler Seguin, Brad Marchand and the rest of the Boston Bruins now own stones Flava Flav would be envious of.

Months later, a new season and a new slogan have moved to spin the riots and their aftermath in a positive direction, but the damage for the most part cannot be undone. Like it or not, Canucks fans are now the poster-boys (and girls) of a black mark on the city of Vancouver and its’ sports fans.

On the ice front-man Henrik Sedin and twin brother Daniel are in charge of leading the team to play-on following the devastating loss last spring. Behind the twins, former captain Roberto Luongo returns once again to silence the critics who aggressively panned his latest body of work.

After diving, biting, blowing it and burning it down the Canucks and their much-hated fans are Back in Black in 2012.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Will the twins’ return to the ice go as smoothly as brothers Angus and Malcolm Young’s return to rock?

Up front, on lead guitar – The Forwards

 Daniel Sedin – Henrik Sedin – Alex Burrows

Henrik and Daniel Sedin return to the Canucks top line in 2012 alongside long-time partner in crime Alex Burrows who has adapted his play to coincide with the connected twins. Vancouver’s top line was the driving force behind the NHL’s top scoring offense last season and will be looked upon more than ever for point production this year with Ryan Kesler out of the lineup to start the season. The absence of Kesler and winger Mason Raymond has left a degree of unpredictability on the second line, leaving the responsibility to plug the net fully with the Sedins. After experiencing the worst of the Bruins’ harsh defensive system Henrik, his brother and his hungry linemate should be prepared for a demanding start to the season.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Glory, glory hallellu / Glory for Twins One and Two / But that glory’s been denied / by Lucic and Thomas eyes/

Marco Sturm – (Cody Hodgson) – Mikael Samuelsson

Injured: Mason Raymond – Ryan Kesler

You didn’t hear it, you didn’t see it, and you never heard it, not a word of it. The Canucks have put a disappointing Stanley Cup loss behind them and begin a new season with younger players pushing the team in the right direction. A majority of the Canucks starting second line in Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond will start the season out due to injury; however depth at winger and the addition of veteran Marco Sturm leaves the Canucks in good standing to start the year. Cody Hodgson appears to have put years of developmental struggles behind him and has impressed in training camp following a summer of off-season workouts with fitness guru Gary Roberts. Without number 17 and 21 to start the season fans have no reason to be over optimistic; however Hodgson has a golden opportunity to make 21 a good year starting the season on Vancouver’s second line.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Can Cody Hodgson elevate his play to ensure he and the Canucks see the year in together?

Chris Higgins – Manny Malhotra – Jannik Hansen

Fresh off a stellar 2011 campaign with the Canucks Chris Higgins, Jannik Hansen and Manny Malhotra return to the lineup to wreak havoc on opposing forwards as the Canucks third line checking unit. The Triple-H line begins the season with a 100% healthy Malhotra who has been working throughout the off-season to fully recover from a career-threatening eye injury that cost him most of the 2011 playoffs. Chris Higgins returns to the lineup following an impressive playoff performance that earned him a new two-year contract with the Canucks to being the season. Familiar face Jannik Hansen also returns for only his second full season with the Canucks after tallying a career high 29 points over 82 games last year. While the hard hitting of Raffi Torres will be missed, the third line has surely been upgraded over the summer.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Manny Malhotra and the Canucks have paid their heavy debts and now know the pain of losing the Stanley Cup; will the Triple-H line will have a chance to play the game for keeps once again?

Aaron Volpatti – Maxim Lapierre – Dale Weise

Once assumed to be the LOV line featuring Aaron Volpatti, Maxim Lapierre and Victor Oreskovich the Canucks made a sudden-move Tuesday opting to waive Victor Oreskovich in order to make room for waiver pickup Dale Weise from the New York Rangers. Weise apparently did more to wow coaches and critics in camp than Oreskovich who appeared to have his own favourable showing in the pre-season for the Canucks. The former Canuck may have become the victim of an apparent fourth line upgrade due to the aggressive play of Revelstoke, BC native Aaron Volpatti who literally fought his way into the lineup on the opposite wing. While late fan favourite Rick Rypien will be sorely missed on the ice and in the community, Volpatti’s violent play has already captured the hearts of Canucks fans with a soft spot for the tough guy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

We’ll take to the ice like a cock fight / Fourth hits who’s strutting now?

On rhythm and bass guitar – The Defenceman

Kevin Bieksa – Dan Hamhuis

Alex Edler – Sami Salo

Keith Ballard – Chris Tanev

A cast of familiar faces return to the Canucks’ blue line to maintain order in front of Roberto Luongo again this season. The loss of two-way talent Christian Ehrhoff will be sorely felt on the blueline, but with youth and chemistry on the Canucks’ side this six piece remains of the NHL’s deepest defensive units. Every player on the Vancouver blueline to start opening night played at least one game during the Stanley Cup Finals last year and will provide his own contribution to the Canucks D this season. The veteran presence of Sami Salo and youthful energy of Chris Tanev complemented by the consistent play of Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis, Alex Edler and (potentially) Keith Ballard provides a diverse corps of defenceman to get back to the big dance. Having tried so hard and got so far in last year’s playoffs, the Canucks blueline is poised to take advantage of the mutual adversity experienced which will only make them stronger in the end.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Will the experience of losing together in last year’s Stanley Cup Finals matter for the Canucks blue line?

On the drums and percussion – The Goaltenders

Roberto Luongo

Behind a blue and green mask Roberto Luongo returns to the city with the sea wall in pursuit of a return to the Stanley Cup Finals. On a team built from the net out, Luongo is the cornerstone of the Canucks as well as the last line of defence. Despite the continuous (and often ludicrous) conversation surrounding Luongo he remains one of the top goaltenders in the world and enters the season more motivated than ever to propel his team to victory. Just as Keith Moon provided the driving force behind the sound of The Who, Luongo provides a calming rhythm with save after save allowing his teammates to go to work in front of him. Luongo’s fragile mentality will forever be questioned until he is able to lift the Stanley Cup over his head, but after a year of lessons learned Luongo is ready for the beginning of a new season.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Canucks fans may lack a conscience when it comes to Luongo, but will the goaltender’s dreams of a Stanley Cup become a reality?

Cory Schneider

General Manager Mike Gillis has one convenient problem at the goaltending position to start the season. Backup Cory Schneider’s performance in last year’s playoffs proved the prospect is ready for a consistent NHL workload; however behind Roberto Luongo those games simply don’t exist. While it may have appeared handy to have had Schneider waiting in the wings behind Luongo last spring, the dilemma can prove costly over an entire season. There is such thing as too much talent in a shared goal crease. Management and head coach Alain Vigneault may tow the line that the tandem is a tremendous treat, but one can’t help but wonder what fans will be saying if a controversy does manage to rise its’ ugly head out of the timeshare.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This time next year will Canucks fans be telling themselves they should have known?

Two games into a frustrating series for the Bruins, the rambunctious Canucks hold the upper hand heading into Game Three tonight in Boston.

While both games in Vancouver were hard-fought affairs, the quick-strike attack of the Canucks has hurt the Bruins dearly following two game winning goals scored seconds away from the 60 minute mark.

Just as they struggled in their series against the Lightning, Tim Thomas and the Bruins are finding it difficult to maintain focus and composure when approaching the intermission and beginning a new period.

The Bruins allowed an Adam Hall goal only 13 seconds into Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final only to give up another devastating Martin St. Louis tally with only seven seconds to go in that same period.

In Game Six against the Bolts, Boston allowed a goal against in the first minute of both the 1^st and 3^rd periods in what ended up to be a 5-4 loss.

Following the trend, the Canucks have generated both game winning goals within twenty seconds of the period break. The quick thinking and determination of Raffi Torres, Alex Burrows and their linemates has earned the Canucks a two game edge in the series however heading back to Boston the home ice advantage could very well swing this series back in the Bruins favour.

When asked if he was concerned about how the Bruins had lost the opening two games Claude Julien remained confident in his team. ““We’ve gone through the experience of being down 2-0 against Montreal, probably even worse because we lost to them at home,” Julien told NHL media after Game Two.

“We didn’t come here just to roll over. We’re definitely going to go back home and regroup and bounce back.”

Boston won’t roll over at home, but the big bad Bruins could continue to find themselves distracted as the series switches to the east coast. Maxim Lapierre’s Game Two antics have struck a nerve in the Boston locker room following the non-suspension of Alex Burrows.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Certainly wouldn’t be acceptable on our end of it. I think you know me enough to know that. Not much I can say on that,” Julien said following today’s morning skate.

“The NHL rules on something. They decide to make a mockery of it, that’s totally up to them.”

While Lapierre refused to comment on Julien’s assessment of his tactics, the frustrating French-Canadian furthered the sentiment of any true winner without saying anything at all- If you aren’t cheating you aren’t trying.

In such a tightly contested series the edge gained by the morally questionable antics of Lapierre is undeniable and despite Julien’s protest, ethics don’t belong in a series such as this. NHL players live their whole lives to raise the Stanley Cup over their heads, don’t think for a second that Lapierre or any other Canuck will think twice about lying, cheating and stealing their way to  a Stanley Cup, nor should they.

Back at home in front of a rabid fan-base, the Bruins must adopt the same win-at-all-costs attitude in order to stage a comeback in the series. A loss tonight at the hands of the Canucks would likely finish the Bruins before a fourth game could even be played.

With a cast of playoff veterans and the experience of coming back from down 2-0 against Montreal, the Bruins have all the right ingredients to stage a comeback against Vancouver however with their own veteran presence back into the lineup in Manny Malhotra the Canucks are prepared for another tough game against the Bruins.

Tonight’s matchup could be even more physical than the opening pair of games in Vancouver with a chance for Shawn Thornton to crack the Bruins’ lineup tonight. If Thornton gets the nod expect an extremely aggressive game from every skater in black and gold not just the fourth line enforcer. The hometown crowd will thrive on a physical game from the Bruins, especially anything thrown Burrows or Lapierre’s way. With Boston searching for revenge on and off the score sheet tonight, the Canucks are in for a taxing Game Three in which the hometown officiating could allow for a little more physicality than traditionally tolerated.

Just as Boston must embrace the gamesmanship of the Canucks, Vancouver must match the physical play of the Bruins tonight in what is building up to be another big, bad, battle on ice.

In round one the Vancouver Canucks exorcised their playoff demons by finishing the Chicago Blackhawks in an emotional Game Seven victory after leading the series three games to none. In round two it was the Sharks’ turn, eliminating their long-time rivals, the Detroit Red Wings, for the second year in a row. San Jose also took a commanding 3-0 lead only to finish the Wings off in the seventh and deciding game.

Having stared playoff death in the face and played on to tell the tale, both the Sharks and Canucks are hungrier than ever for a Stanley Cup Final berth. Veterans of the NHL playoffs, the Sharks have had several opportunities to make the Cup final but have come up short year in and year out. In Vancouver the team hasn’t made it to a conference final since the much fabled 1994 cup run.

“Anytime you get further in the playoffs, you’re going to get a couple different challenges, tougher challenges, as well. Whichever line we go up against, it’s going to be a tough, hard-fought battle. Right from Game 1, from the first shift, it’s going to be a war,” Ian White told the media via conference call.

With so many devastating playoff losses in years past the Sharks playoff history reads like a NHL war memorial, but despite astonishing losses in the post-season over the last several years the Sharks are back again battling for a chance at the cup, fighting off the label as gutless choke artists one game at a time.

“We have to live for this year. It’s amazing how far we go back when there haven’t been many games played,” said Sharks coach Todd McLellan.

In Vancouver the Sedins and Roberto Luongo may not be working to right 14 seasons of playoff wrongs but the pressure remains at an all time high in British Columbia. Canucks fever has swept across the city creating a collective bandwagon the size of Vancouver Island, but all is as to be expected in the city home to Canada’s only team to survive the first two rounds of the NHL playoffs.

Despite the hype the team is trying to remain calm heading into the third round, the farthest this group of players has ever been in the playoffs. “I think we’re a pretty mature group in that locker room. We’ve approached games the same way all year long, that’s one game at a time. Obviously I know it’s cliché, but that’s exactly how we approached things all year. I don’t think that’s going to change,” Alex Burrows told the media.

Just don’t expect the rest of the country to get behind the Canucks.

Bitter or simply unimpressed by Burrows, Kesler and boastful Canucks fans, Canada isn’t ready to throw its’ support behind the west coast just yet. But if the pesky Canucks can frustrate Thornton and the Sharks on the way to a Stanley Cup Final berth the country will turn blue and green overnight.

Another loss in the Western Conference Final would be sure to leave the Sharks blue in the face as well. After being swept by the Blackhawks last season San Jose is determined to re-write their playoff history with a berth to the cup final on the line.

With a surplus of talent on both rosters, the two-way battle between top centers Ryan Kesler and Joe Thornton could decide the series. Since taking over the captaincy jumbo Joe has been the Sharks leader on and off the ice all season. While Kesler may not have the proper letter on his sweater, there is no doubt who has been the Canucks go-to guy in the first half of the NHL playoffs.

“I think he can play against anyone the way he’s playing right now. It’s up to our coaches when they decide the game plan to devise. I’m comfortable with whatever they want to do,” said Mike Gillis regarding Kesler and his performance in the playoffs.

Much like the battle between two of Don Cherry’s favourites in Kesler versus Thornton, the matchup between Roberto Luongo and Antti Niemi pits a questioned playoff performer against an opponent who refuses to lose in the post season.

A summer of doubt from Blackhawks management may have bitterly questioned the true talent of the then rookie goaltender however Niemi has proven his critics wrong with another stellar playoff performance for the Sharks so far this post season.

In his first eleventh NHL season and first ever Western Conference Final Luongo finds himself awkwardly inexperienced with the deep rounds of the playoffs relative to Niemi.

“I think overall he doesn’t really have any weaknesses. Still to lose a playoff round, you have to respect that. Overall a solid goaltender who obviously wins some games,” said Daniel Sedin when asked about facing Antti Niemi once again.

Parallel to the battle between critic favourites Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and the Sedin twins, Luongo versus Niemi will come down to a battle of wills. Both goaltenders enter the series playing impressive playoff hockey but with so much firepower uniting in the series it is likely to be a tough stretch for both protectors of the crease.

“Their top three lines, I think we’ve talked about this quite a few times, about the balance they have up front on those top three lines, where they can all score. They all have good hockey sense. So it’s going to be a real challenge for our forwards and our D,” said Alain Vigneault about the Sharks’ offence.

“I’m confident that we can do it.”

After losing to Niemi and the Blackhawks in last year’s playoffs Daniel and Henrik Sedin are determined to prove themselves in another series opposite a stingy Finnish goaltender.

Vancouver may have made its’ first Western Conference Final since ’94 riding the Conn Smyth worthy effort of Ryan Kesler in rounds one and two but if Henrik and Daniel fail to show up on the score sheet with consistency again in round three serious questions will be raised in the off season.

And bitter analysts can be a scathing bunch.

The bottom line is that the Vancouver Canucks will not be able to survive a Shark attack without significant production and defensive responsibility from the Sedin twins. The depth of the Sharks offence make the Predators seem like a beer league squad and without the entire Canucks top six firing on all cylinders Vancouver will quickly discover the playoff heartbreak that has reigned in California for so many years.

With stiffer competition and a fresh start to prove the critics wrong, Henrik and Daniel Sedin have the perfect opportunity to prove to the NHL that their back-to-back Art Ross Trophies were no gimmick. Until then the NHL jury still remains out on whether the Sedins are chokers or champs.

“We’ve been through this every year throughout the regular season, throughout the playoffs. It’s one of those things where some guys are not scoring as much and other guys are stepping up. We’ve done a good job of that all year,” said Henrik Sedin when asked about his lines struggles relative to Ryan Kesler.

Despite the myriad of storylines and angles surrounding this series the matchup simply comes down to who wants it more. Henrik Sedin may be battling some type of injury but in the playoffs playing hurt is a certainty rather than an excuse. The twins were one of the strongest duos in the NHL during the regular season but seem to have again withdrawn to the soft sisters that first entered league playing against defenders who are happy to give them a rough ride.

In the most important series on the biggest stage of their NHL careers the Sedins are once again in the spotlight in their battle for a chance at Stanley’s Cup.

“I think every game is a fresh start in the playoffs. It’s a thing where you have to move on. You look at the next game as a chance to make a difference. This is the way we look at it. Always a chance to go out there next shift, next game, make a difference, and that’s not going to change just because it’s a new series.”

So, today I decided to have a look at the other of the goal spectrum: who were the best bang-for-the-buck NHL forwards in 2010-11?

Please note that a minimum of 10 goals and a salary of at least $1,000,000 (as to exclude players on their entry-level contracts) in 2010-11 were required to make the marquee list below. I also made a list of the ten best prospects under the main list so you can see which player still on his entry-level contract has been a scoring machine this season.

Player Actual salary Goals Amount per goal
1. Curtis Glencross CGY $1,200,000 24 goals $50,000
2. Clarke MacArthur TOR $1,100,000 21 goals $52,381
3. Cal Clutterbuck MIN $1,000,000 19 goals $52,632
4. Dominic Moore TB $1,000,000 18 goals $55,555
5. Troy Brouwer CHI $1,050,000 17 goals $61,765
6. Kyle Brodziak MIN $1,100,000 16 goals $68,750
7. Rich Peverley BOS/ATL $1,250,000 18 goals $69,444
8. Dr. Mark Recchi BOS $1,000,000 14 goals $71,429
9. Raffi Torres VAN $1,000,000 14 goals $71,429
10. David Moss CGY $1,300,000 17 goals $71.471
11. Drew Stafford BUF $2,300,000 31 goals $74,194
12. Gregory Campbell BOS $1,000,000 13 goals $76,923
13. Alex Burrows VAN $2,000,000 26 goals $76,923
14. Alex Tanguay CGY $1,700,000 22 goals $77,273
15. Lee Stempniak PHX $1,500,000 19 goals $78,947
16. Matt Moulson NYI $2,450,000 31 goals $79,032
17. Tomas Kopecky CHI $1,200,000 15 goals $80,000
18. David Backes STL $2,500,000 31 goals $80,645
19. Andrew Ladd ATL $2,350,000 29 goals $81,034
20. Devin Setoguchi SJ $1,800,000 22 goals $81,818

The Calgary Flames (Glencross, Moss, Tanguay) and the Boston Bruins (Peverley, Recchi, Campbell), each have three players to lead the NHL in best bang-for-the-buck forwards. Who would have thought that Glencross (who had never scored more than 15 goals), Clutterbuck (more known for his hitting prowess (336 hits) than his scoring abilities) and MacArthur (let go for free by the Thrashers this summer) would top this marquee list?

Best goal-scoring players on their entry-level deals
Player Actual salary Goals Amount per goal
1. Steven Stamkos TB $875,000 45 goals $19,444
2. Michael Grabner NYI $765,000 34 goals $22,500
3. Logan Couture SJ $787,500 32 goals $24,609
4. Brad Marchand BOS $600,000 21 goals $28,571
5. Jamie Benn DAL $635,000 22 goals $28,864
6. Jeff Skinner CAR $900,000 31 goals $29,032
7. Claude Giroux PHI $765,000 25 goals $30,600
8. John Tavares NYI $900,000 29 goals $31,034
9. Matt Duchene COL $900,000 27 goals $33,333
10. Blake Comeau NYI $800,000 24 goals $33,333

Without surprise, Stamkos is the leader among prospects in goal per dollar, scoring 45 goals in his 3rd year in the league. All three Calder Trophy candidates, Grabner, Skinner and Couture, are also obviously on this select list of great young prospects.

Please note that the following players, who all made under $1,000,000 and scored at least 15 goals are worth mentioning:
David Jones COL (27 goals), Mike Santorelli FLA (20 goals), Sergei Kostitsyn NAS (23 goals), Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau NYI (20 goals), Brian Boyle NYR (21 goals), Tyler Kennedy PIT (21 goals), Matt D’Agostini STL (21 goals), Bryan Bickell CHI (17 goals), Ryan Jones EDM (18 goals), Ville Leino PHI (19 goals), Taylor Pyatt PHX (18 goals), Lauri Korpikoski PHX (19 goals), Teddy Purcell TB (17 goals).

The Montreal Canadiens traded both Kostitsyn (for Dan Ellis and Dustin Boyd) and D’Agostini (for Aaron Palushaj) last year for prospects and marginal players en route to finish 24th in goals scored in the NHL for the 2010-11! Bad management and lack of patience by GM Pierre Gauthier? I would think so!

If we combine the two lists and the above players worth mentioning, the best teams at finding productive forwards to get their money’s worth are:
1. New York Islanders : 5
2. Boston Bruins: 4
3. Calgary Flames: 3, Phoenix Coyotes: 3, Tampa Bay Lightning: 3

I’m looking forward to hear your comments about this list and about my previous blog: Top-20 worst bang-for-the-buck NHL forwards in 2010-11 which takes a look at the opposite end of the production line.

You can also follow me on Twitter to get more insights on the NHL.

So what did the Predators find out?

They are a team that is not flashy, but is all heart and grit as they fought to a 2-1 double overtime win against the Canucks at Rogers Centre. They showed the world what Predator nation has known all along: there is no quit in this team.

After standing around for most of game one and watching the Canucks dictate the pace of play, the Predators opened this game with lots of jump and took the battle to the Canucks. The Predators skated well and their forecheck was disruptive. They controlled the neutral zone, slowing the Canucks potent offensive attack. Most importantly, the Predators used their speed and attacking style to generate offensive chances.

Those offensive opportunities were thwarted by the Canucks Vezina candidate, Roberto Luongo. Bobby Lu was called upon to make several good stops, including some goal mouth scrambles that saw the Predators create some good scoring chances.

At the other end of the ice, Pekka Rinne did not have to work as hard as Luongo, but had to make some quality saves nevertheless. Rinne opened game 2 just as he had played in game one, with another solid effort in the net. For the period, the Predators outshot the Canucks 12-6, but despite good offensive effort had now gone 4 periods without netting a goal.

That trend would continue into the second period, as the Predators would outshoot the Canucks 9-4 but could not find the back of the net. Again, they created some good scoring chances, but could not solve Luongo.

Although the Canucks only had 4 shots on goal, one of them found the back of the net, and it was a shorthanded goal while the Predators were on the power play. Sergei Kostitsyn turned the puck over coming out of the Predators zone. Ryan Kessler picked up the puck and got it to Alex Burrows. Burrows took a shot that was blocked by Shea Weber, but got his rebound and put the puck past Rinne to give the Canucks a 1-0 lead at 2:00.

In the third period, the Predators kept up the attack, peppering Luongo with 15 shots to just 5 for the Canucks in the period. Despite the good pressure, it appeared as if this game would be another disappointing 1-0 loss as the Predators appeared unable to get anything past Luongo.

Until Ryan Suter altered the course of the game. He threw a shot at the front of the net from a bad angle behind the goal line. The shot hit Luongo skate and skittered over the goal line at 18:53 of the third. An improbable shot had an improbable result, and the Predators had tied the game to the shock of the Canucks and their raucous fans.

In the first overtime, the Canucks out shot the Predators 11-7, and Pekka Rinne was called upon to make some big saves to keep the Canucks off the board. Rinne absolutely robbed Kevin Bieksa on a breakaway attempt. He made several solid saves to keep the Predators hopes alive, and had another spectacular game in net.

Scoreless through the first overtime, the Predators were heading into the second OT period with a sense of confidence that they could take this game. The Canucks, however, were intent on exerting their will and were starting to take control of the contest, outshooting the Predators 7-3. Once again, Rinne made some big stops to hold the Canucks scoreless.

Oh yes, that third shot for the Predators. Ryan Suter picked up the puck in the neutral zone and got it to Nick Spaling. Spals drove down the left wing while Jerred Smithson drove to the front of the net. Spaling slid the puck to Matt Halischuk, who roofed a one-timer over the glove of Luongo for the game winner at 14:51 of the second OT period.

As unbelievable as it was to those in attendance at the Rogers Centre, as gut wrenching as it was to the Canucks, the Predators had evened their series at one.

The little team that could, did.

Big time.

The adjectives are often overused: resilient; gritty; heart; character. Yet they are adjectives that fit this team perfectly. A team that shows heart and doesn’t have any quit in them.

A team that shouldn’t be here, according to the pundits. A team that on paper isn’t as good as the Canucks.

Never for a moment doubt the heart that beats inside the Predator sweater. A heart that doesn’t quit and won’t back down. Heart personified by a player like Marty Erat, who lost 4 teeth and suffered a cheap head shot in the opening series and came back. Who took a Shea Weber slapshot to the head in this game. And came back.

Call it heart, guts, or character.

This is what powers this team. A belief in themselves and what they will bring to the ice.

And this is what has brought them an improbable win and an opportunity to seize control of this series.

After a full season of re-stocking, re-strategizing and re-tuning their teams, both the Blackhawks and Canucks have significantly changed the makeup of their teams since last season’s playoff matchup.

In Chicago, following a successful run at the Stanley Cup, the Blackhawks were forced to move key pieces like Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Adam Burish and Antti Niemi over this past off season, but have kept the core of the team intact.

In Vancouver, following two playoff losses at the hands of the Blackhawks the organization improved and re-built significant pieces of the blueline and the team’s bottom six forward corps, adding toughness and skill with key additions Raffi Torres, Manny Malhotra, Dan Hamhuis and Keith Ballard.

Yet a full summer of changes had failed to separate the Canucks and Blackhawks during the regular season. After splitting four games with two victories each during the season series, seven games could very likely be necessary to decide the better of these two teams. In lieu of seven games, I broke down five major team characteristics to decide my favourite in this year’s edition of Canucks vs. Blackhawks.

Offence

With a depth of talent lead by the Sedins twins and Ryan Kesler the Vancouver Canucks were consistently this year’s best team offensively this season. Following Henrik Sedin’s Art Ross trophy win last year, twin brother Daniel was equal to the task this season, winning the 2011 trophy with 104 points in the regular season. As a second line center Ryan Kesler has emerged as one of the league’s top goal scorers with 41 goals this season, tying him with Daniel for the team scoring lead. Heading into this year’s matchup with Blackhawks the Canucks are looking more dangerous than ever. With the loss of secondary scoring key Manny Malhotra and the suspended Raffi Torres (opening two games) the Canucks may be missing small pieces of the puzzle; however the team’s forward depth has stepped up all season and will continue to do so in the playoffs. Having the league’s best power play helps, too.

Just behind the league leading Canucks the Chicago Blackhawks have maintained a steady scoring attack this season with 3.07 goals per game. The loss of Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and the struggle to find a proper center for Patrick Kane may have caused the Blackhawks to miss a step during the season, but Chicago remains one of the league’s most dangerous teams up front. With names like Hossa, Sharp, Toews and the aforementioned Kane in their top six, the Blackhawks scoring threat should never be underestimated.

Advantage: Canucks – No reason for Canucks attack to slow down now, ‘Hawks not the same.

Defence

Throughout an injury riddled season the Vancouver Canucks blueline remained one of the strongest in the NHL for the entire season, despite using 12 different defenceman over 82 games. With a stable of battle-tested NHL defenceman, a top six healthy for the first time and no salary cap to restrict player movement the Canucks blueline is looking stronger than ever heading into the post season. Vancouver has been the best team in their own end all season long and with a healthy lineup there is no reason to doubt them now.

With Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith and Brian Campbell patrolling the blueline in Chicago again this season it is hard to imagine a struggling Blackhawks defence. Norris Trophy winners don’t exactly grow on trees, but Duncan Keith and parts of the Blackhawk blueline haven’t been the same as they were a year ago in Keith’s award winning season. “Keith’s game hasn’t risen much (in the second half of the season), we’re hoping playoff hockey snaps him back from whatever planet he’s been on. He’s been better than before, but still opts for the far too complicated decision,” said Second City Hockey while chatting with the Kurtenblog. If regular season performance is any indication, the Canucks forwards may not find Chicago to be quite as stingy a defence as previously encountered.

Advantage: Canucks – Keith will rise to playoff form, but can’t match Canucks depth alone.

Goaltending

For two seasons Roberto Luongo has cruised through fairly successful regular seasons only to be shelled right out of the crease by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the playoffs. After a stellar regular season that could earn Luongo another Vezina nomination this year, the Canucks goaltender returns to the playoffs to face the archrival Blackhawks without both the captaincy and Dustin Byfuglien to worry about. Rookie Antti Niemi may have outplayed Luongo in last year’s playoff series with the ‘Hawks but many including Luongo himself believe this is a new year. If Luongo shows any signs of struggle against the Kryptonite-like Blackhawks, young stud Cory Schneider is ready to step into his first ever NHL playoff game.

The Chicago Blackhawks were so confident after winning the Stanley Cup last season with a rookie goaltender that due to cap restrictions the team allowed Antti Niemi to move to San Jose, opting instead with veteran Marty Turco and rookie Cory Crawford. A year later, the Blackhawks crease finds itself in the same situation, occupied by a rookie goaltender that is playing the starting role for his first time ever in the NHL playoffs. Crawford put up solid regular season numbers, however during the playoffs if he is unable to step up in the crease like Niemi before him, playoff veteran Marty Turco is available to take over.

Advantage: Canucks – Schneider is arguably a stronger rookie than Crawford, Luongo in the zone.

Special Teams

If the Canucks dominated in goals for and goals against during the regular season for one reason above the rest, it was because of their special teams. Lead by the lethal unit of the Sedins and Ryan Kesler, the Canucks’ power play was the best in the league throughout the regular season clicking at 24.3%. On the penalty kill Manny Malhotra, Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows and a crew of others worked together to form the league’s second stingiest penalty kill surviving the two minutes 85.6% of the time. Without Malhotra the team’s PK isn’t quite as sharp as previous mid-season form, but Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver penalty killers seem prepared for life after Manny.

Not to be forgotten he Blackhawks remained of the league’s most dangerous teams this season on the power play operating at 23.1%. Kane, Toews, Sharp and Hossa are all extremely dangerous with the man advantage, especially with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook holding the points. On the penalty kill the Blackhawks find themselves in the bottom part of the league killing only 79.2% of their penalties. After signing Ryan Johnson to help bolster the team while down a man, Chicago hasn’t quite been able to find a way to shut down the opposition on the power play. Keith, Crawford, Johnson and others will have to step up in a big way to match the skill and precision of the Canucks power play.

Advantage: Canucks – Unlike in the past, Vancouver can afford special teams shootout with Chicago.

The Intangibles: Coaching, Experience, Psychological Edge

The Canucks have nothing to fear but fear itself. After guiding the team to a massively successful regular season despite heavy injuries Alain Vigneault has positioned himself well for another Jack Adams Trophy nomination. After losing twice in the playoffs, the Canucks know exactly what it takes to best the Blackhawks if they are up to the challenge. The Blackhawks may be in the heads of the Canucks players due to past dominance, but no need to tell that to the Canucks locker room who remain focussed on the future. “If you learn from the past, there’s a good chance the future will be different. We have to prove it in the playoffs,” Alain Vigneault told Ben Kuzma yesterday.

If the only thing the Canucks have to fear is fear itself, than the Blackhawks can only fear change. Chicago has had the better of the Canucks for two straight playoff series, leaving Vancouver and its’ fans especially frustrated after last year’s victory. Under coach Joel Quenneville the Blackhawks have won on the big stage, and have proven themselves against the Canucks. It is up to the coach Q as well as super-captain Jonathan Toews to get the team playing at their best, which is a whole league above how they performed during the regular season. Toews’ nerves of steel as well as coach Quenneville’s in-game coaching skills are huge tools in a playoff series of such magnitude.

Advantage: Blackhawks – Canucks have something to prove against playoff dominant Blackhawks.

The Series

While the psychological edge and experience of the Blackhawks is as important as any statistic the Canucks have amassed this season, Vancouver has simply played too well this season for me to legitimately doubt them. Injuries haven’t been able to stop the team, and the ghosts of playoff failures past won’t be able to either. Where series of the past that heavily involved special teams would favour the Blackhawks, the Canucks of 2011 can now afford to trade blows with the Blackhawks if need be. Despite the special teams prowess, the Canucks will likely maintain the disciplined style of play that has benefitted the team throughout the regular season. Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows especially have focussed on winning the game rather than the verbal battle, resulting in a focused game from both former mouthpieces. The new professionalism and focus that has taken over the Canucks locker room will prove key in a gritty series against the Blackhawks. With the edge in almost every statistical category, the Canucks have learned their lesson and elevated their game to a championship level. This time around, I believe the Blackhawks will be to lose at the hands of the eventual Stanley Cup Champs.

Prediction: Canucks in 6.

First Round Playoff Picks

East

Capitals vs. Rangers – Capitals in 7.

Flyers vs. Sabres – Flyers in 6.

Bruins vs. Canadiens – Bruins in 7.

Penguins vs. Lightning – Lightning in 7.

West

Canucks vs. Blackhawks – Canucks in 6.

Sharks vs. Kings – Sharks in 6.

Red Wings vs. Coyotoes – Wings in 5.

Ducks vs. Predators – Ducks in 6.

What do you think? Will the Canucks overcome their playoff demons or do the Blackhawks have another year of playoff magic in store? Hit me with your series analysis, predictions or comments below.

For last minute stats, links, news, notes and all the hockey chatter you can handle, follow me on Twitter @PuckheadKvan.

Vancouver came in as the top team in the NHL. Number one in points (82), goals scored (190) and scoring differential (+57). Winners in seven of their last eight. Daniel and Henrik Sedin are both in the top five in scoring. Ryan Kesler’s 32 goals is the leagues third best and is a leading Selke candidate (and maybe even a Hart candidate to boot). Alex Burrows entered with an 11-game point streak (extended to 12). Roberto Luongo has been on fire. Failing to lose a game in regulation since the Blues took them down December 5th.

The Canucks are a stacked, high tempo, possession squad. Dragging them down in to the grinders gutter and knocking them down a peg is no small achievement. The only way possible to do so was to fight for a full 60, execute at the right time and have the fire to lockdown the game late in the third.

If it was all there against Vancouver, a team who was 24 points ahead, where was that same effort, execution and passion against Minnesota? Who on Friday was only five points above the Blues mark.

The consistent inconsistency is the single most infuriating aspect of the current lineup composition. From time to time, as a whole they rise to the occasion. Giving the impression that those who aren’t kids anymore may finally be graduating the school of hard knocks. Only to follow up gutsy performances with exceptional letdown.

Case in point. To open February the Blues battled Edmonton, Tampa Bay and Florida. Taking five of a possible six points. While each game had a level of intensity and importance, none were as critical as the two following games against the Wild. Execution came against those who matter less, but did not against those that matter the most.

The warm, fuzzy feeling of defeating a rival will have to satisfy while the Blues watch those in front of them build separation this week. Now out of action till Friday in Buffalo the Blues could slide further down the standings. As every team ahead of them except Anaheim plays twice between Tuesday and Thursday. Setting up another crucial weekend back to back set as the the Ducks come to St. Louis Saturday.

Quick Hits

- Let the Alex Pietrangelo vs. Erik Johnson debate grow. Petro again lead the Blues in TOI (22:52) and had two key helpers. One absolutely beatuiful end to end dash in which he dangled from the near wall at the blueline around three defenders to find a wide open Patrik Berglund on the weak side to roof it on Luongo. He also had the secondary assist on Andy McDonald’s tip in of a perfectly placed Nikita Nikitin point shot.

EJ played just 16:04 and was a Minus-2. Stat lines don’t always tell the story, but Johnson’s does. Very little impact on the game.

What a difference a development path and injury makes. There is no need to write off Erik yet. His style of play is just different than what it was pre-injury. Instead of being a more free flowing, mobile defenseman he is a bulky station to station type defenseman. Would it hurt to shed a little weight in the name of increased mobility? No.

- Speaking of blue line debates, add Nikitin vs.Carlo Colaiacovo to the list. In roughly the same time played N64 outshined Cola. No shots, 1 block, 1 hit and 1 give away for Carlo in 12:31 and 1 assist, 2 blocks in 14:06 for Nikita.

- David Backes has really taken another developmental step this season. After starting another season slowly (1 goal, 5 points in 9 October games), his performance level has elevated to a new high. He is on pace for another 30 goal season and to set a new career high in points (pacing for 61). Ingloriously proving he is worth the contract extension.

- The Jaroslav Halak Jeckyl and Hyde show continues. Stopping 23 of 25 shots and giving his team a chance to win. Just keep this in mind. He is not Roman Turek. He has never played this many games before, pacing for 64. His career high was 45 while in Montreal. Growing pains are acceptable, no matter how precarious the timing.

- Time is ticking down on Dave Checketts soft deadline for resolution in the ownership situation. Puckheads in St. Louis are willing to accept the lesser of two evils, an ownership group vs. having no hockey at all. That doesn’t mean we don’t wonder what it would be like to have one owner with reasonably deep pockets.

The reaction in St. Louis will be interesting should this deadline pass. To date the media has been accommodating to the franchise’s situation. However, with the self described five year rebuild done, the season ticket sales predicated on making the playoffs, consistent promotion of “sellouts” at Scottrade, the opinion writers in the St. Louis sports media may start chiming in. So far its been all fan and blogger questioning of the situation. Not sure it can go on much longer without the MSM getting their teeth in to more than just reporting the situation.

In all honesty, daily operations haven’t been hindered, as DC said they wouldn’t. Checks aren’t bouncing, but not being able to add virtually any payroll to support a depleated roster is an adverse effect to the daily needs of the business.

Trade Talk

- Steve Hindle of Hockeybuzz mentioned that Alex Steen’s name has come up in the rumor mill lately. Teams may inquire, but its doubtful the Swed winger is moved. He is second on the team in goals (16) and leading in points (41). Besides Backes, he is the most complete player in the lineup. Will teams overpay to acquire his services? Not likely enough to have Doug Armstrong complete the transaction.

- Both Hindle and Eklund have talked about captain Eric Brewer as well. He’s having an excellent season, is healthy and is a UFA at season’s end. The perfect rental situation. Steve didn’t have specifics, but Ek says the Rangers have called. If so it appears they could fit Brewer in without trading back salary.

I’ve also seen reference to a Bob McKenzie tweet saying the Bruins could be interested in Brewer if they are out of the Kaberle sweeps. They do not have the space to absorb salary without sending some back. An even swap for pending RFAs Blake Wheeler and Brad Marchand don’t clear enough room. Another player could come with one of those two and not push the Blues over their current budget.

- I rarely dabble in the “trade speculation” game, but when I have a little info and some collaborative evidence, I pass it along.

Rumblings of the Blues and Pens talking are about. It seems to happen every year around the deadline though and both sides have made small AHL deals. With the Pens really hurting up front, the need is there. They’ve also been scouting the Blues lately and were at Monday’s game. Since the Blues and Canucks aren’t on their remaining schedule, there is a reasonable jump to make here.

Pens have defensive depth and needs forward help, Vancouver has forward depth and needs help on defense. The Blues could soon be sellers. Ray Shero’s wheels are always turning.

- No news on the Ty Conklin front. The Red Wings did have a scout at the last few games which falls in line with what Andy Strickland has reported previously. It’s also worth noting the Canadiens had scouts around recently as well. Given the Blues and Habs recent history, a deal is certainly possible. Conklin could serve as back up for Carey Price at a reasonable price.

- Phoenix was also reported to have a scout at the game Monday. Their acquisition of Michal Rozsival make a Brewer rental unlikely. Their interest could likely be in some of the depth forwards the Blues have. Brad Winchester, BJ Crombeen. Or it could purely be to checkup on the Note and Canucks. They have 2 games left with Vancouver and 1 with St. Louis.

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As always, you are invited to follow me at @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter.