Canucks Set Sights On Islanders After Big Weekend

It was a wild weekend for the Canucks, after a couple days off last week; it was time for the boys to defend the barn they have been away from for so long that it even changed names. Yes, the Canucks were back home, having played twice over the weekend at GM Place. No place like home, right boys?

First, it would border on disrespect for me to not mention the fantastic job the Canucks have done since the road trip started. It would have been easy to fold under the pressure and stress of such an intense trip; however the Canucks found a way to get it done away from home. They didn’t make it easy on themselves, coming from behind to win six different games this trip; however the only statistic (among many from the road trip) that matters to the Canucks is 17. Seventeen points earned out of a possible 28, an effort that few could have seen coming. When I first read Puck Daddy’s epic guide to the Canucks road trip from Hell, I couldn’t help but feel deep down that 8-4-2 was a generous prediction. Since Wysh also picked the Canucks for the Stanley Cup this year, I brushed it aside as honest optimism. With that in mind, I tip my hat to the prognosticative power of Puck Daddy, but more importantly to the hard work and effort the Canucks gave over the 8-5-1 road trip, as well as the beautiful display of hockey the Canucks have given fans the last two days. Way to work boys.

What “beautiful displays of hockey” you ask? First of all, if you missed the games over the weekend, for shame! I feel for you, fellow fan. The Canucks played two of the best 1^st periods they’ve iced all season, dominating the Senators and Flames with intensity and ease in both opening frames. A recap of the game Friday against the Senators simply would not illustrate how solid the Canuck performance was. The fact the Canucks were only able to net one single goal among 17 shots and 20 minutes of dominating hockey is almost upsetting, they were that good, see for yourself.

And those were only the Canuck goals. Rick Rypien’s fight (2:30 of the Video) with Chris Neil was almost lost among the Canucks’ impressive performance; however it was a slug fest. Rypien came out to an early lead, but Chris Neil proved he’s no slouch in the latter half of the tilt. Call it a draw, slight advantage to Neil.

Also lost among the impressive performance was Jason Spezza’s highlight end to end rush, that ended with Andrew Alberts being deked out of his pants before Spezza lifted the puck past Luongo.

Wow. I would have loved to have seen those moves in a Team Canada uniform.

It was a hell of a return game from the Canucks, a dominating performance in front of a crowd who had been craving a victory ever since the Canucks packed their bags weeks ago. The team’s overwhelming performance and happiness surrounding the win made me almost worry; would the road trip and home debut success be flattened by an eager and energetic Flames team?

Worrying Is like a Rocking Chair…

Ever since Van Wilder came out years ago, I’ve always thought the character of Van Wilder was a genius, and a line from the movie that I still live by today proved true Saturday night. “Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it never gets you anywhere” Van Wilder boasts from the bench of his university hockey rink. As Saturday’s celebration turned into Sunday’s matchup with the Flames, I told myself “don’t worry” and thanks to the Canucks, I never looked back.

Sunday night, The Canucks did the impossible, improbable, unlikely, something unheard of. On back to back nights, after the longest road trip in NHL history, the Canucks bested their stellar 1^st period performance against the Senators with an overly impressive three goal, twenty shot, 1^st period against the Flames. It was a thing of beauty, the Canucks out worked, out hustled, and most importantly outplayed the Flames in the first, forcing the Flames to play catch-up against a Canucks’ defensive system known to choke the life out of a game every now and then. Once again, see for yourself.

Sedin, Sedin, Samuelsson, Kesler, Burrows and a handful of Canuck’s had a stellar game. Every top six forward for the Canucks had energy and was generating scoring chances; it was an impressive response to Mike Gillis’ lack of action at the trade deadline. The GM proved he had faith in the team that was already in front of him, choosing only to add Andrew Alberts to the mix, and so far the Canucks forwards have all responded well, proving to Gillis that he was right, and that this team can win big games as they stand today.

Tonight the Canucks look to continue their home dominance against the New York Islanders. It will be the first time John Tavares gets to visit the garage in his NHL career; a nice treat for those at the game tonight.  I was amazed to read this morning that he is a team worst -18 on Long Island, what happened to JT and Matt Moulson? Not so Might any more.

The Canucks game plan is simple in this one, get on them early and often, and put the game away. If they can bottle whatever it was that got them going against the Senators and Flames, it should be put to good use tonight. When leading after one period the Canucks are a league 2^nd best winning 81.3% of games, the Islanders are 25^th in the league at 23.7%, which drops to 3.2% when trailing after two. The Islanders are obviously not a good come from behind team, unlike when away from GM Place, the Canucks should do themselves a favour and get up early on the lottery destined Islanders, putting the game away. The Canucks have the 3rd best home record in the league which should make it a long night for Tavares and Co. It just seems there’s no place like GM Place for the Canucks.

News, Notes, Stats and Injuries

• Shane O’Brien will sit again tonight in favour of Andrew Alberts who will continue to try and gel and find his game defensively with the Canucks. After being victimized by Jason Spezza, Alberts needs to focus on his game in his own end in order to really round out his game. His physical presence so far has been spectacular.
• Hordichuk is out; Glass is in on the 4^th line tonight for the Canucks. I like the move from AV, Hordichuk needs to make things happen offensively more often to be useful on the 4^th. Rypien is out resident fighter now, and there’s no changing that.
• From the Kurtenblog via Twitter: The Canucks are 33-13-3 since going 10-10-0 in their first 20. The Flames are 17-20-6 after starting 17-6-3. Good times.
• Also from Twitter: The word is that Steve Bernier won’t be back until the second round of the playoffs at the earliest. Bummer.