Game Day Preview: Nothing to Lose versus Panicked and Desperate.

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Mar 192014
 

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators

Nothing to Lose
Nashville is pretty solidly out of the playoffs. I find this to possibly be their biggest advantage in tonight. Teams with nothing to lose tend to play much better than teams with something to lose. Also I think this game will be scrappy because the Preds are probably bitter and angry that they’ll be missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year (and only the second time since 2003) and the Canucks will be panicky and feisty because they’re desperate. I predict a Sestito fight or two. But Canucks will need to keep their heads (I’m looking at you Kassian and Sestito…) and control the penalties or they’ll lose and lose big.

Death By Slap Shot
Shea Weber is a man I love for 2 weeks every 4 years. Because that’s when his ability to kill a man with a slap shot works in my favor because he’s doing it for his/my Country. Tonight he’s my enemy and so is Torts’ blocking shots strategy because it’s the worst possible thing to do when Weber’s the one taking them. The last thing we need is another broken foot or jaw to deal with. So the strategy should be just to keep them from getting the shots.  Own the puck and keep them out of our zone. This should help Lack who has been struggling and letting in softies.

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Goalie Scorned
Pekka Rinne was pulled in his last game against Edmonton, where Preds lost 5-1. This could be seen as a something that will squelch his confidence tonight however, Rinne isn’t a rookie. More than likely that embarrassing loss will spark a fire in him and he’ll have something to prove against us. Plus, let’s be honest, we’re not a goalie’s worst nightmare anymore. Even if Rinne wasn’t angry and looking to avenge his last performance, he’d still be a challenge to our struggling offense.

The Bright Side
Burrows is back – you know that guy who scores a lot? Thank the Hockey Gods for that. If he can stay hot we’ve got a good chance. Edler’s been playing better and Bieksa’s been solid. Add to that Jensen’s solid play and goal-scoring efforts -he’s had 2 goals and one assist in his last 3 games –and we have a glimmer of hope.

Canucks for Kids Fund Telethon

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Mar 192014
 

 

UPDATE:  CHB writers are proud to commit at least $313 to the Canucks for Kids Telethon, comprised of:

  • $20 from Clay for 2 Canuck goals.
  • $20 from Sean (Clay’s son) for $5 for every Nicklas Jensen point…generously topped up by Arielle Tuliao by another $15.
  • $98 from Chris for $44 for Canucks shots (22 x 2).  Doubled because of the shutout and another $10 because Chris Tanev is Chris Tanev.
  • $30 from Lizz for 30 Eddie Lack saves.
  • $25 from Ashley despite Alex Burrows not scoring.
  • $20 from Delia for 2 Henrik Sedin points.
  • $50 from Victoria for the Alex Edler goal…she was very happy he did something right haha.
  • $50 from JJ for the Canuck win

Today is the Canucks for Kids Fund Telethon.

The Canucks for Kids Fund Telethon, presented by Chevrolet, is an annual radio and television telethon. The Canucks for Kids Fund dedicates its resources to assist charities which support children’s health and wellness, foster the development of grassroots hockey and facilitate and encourage education in British Columbia. Last year, the Canucks for Kids Fund granted $2.1 million to support the work of 15 organizations. Over its 28 year history, the Fund has raised more than $43 million for the children and families of our province.

Our very own Lizz Moffat and Jocelyn Aspa are proudly representing CHB on the telethon panel. Call in at 1-85KIDSFUND or 1-855-437-3863 to donate. You can donate online as well.

CHB Pledges

We’re a competitive bunch here at CHB, and we occasionally we like to remind ourselves that we really can do math after all, which is why we’re basing our pledges on Canucks stats tonight.

Clay Imoo: $10 per Canucks goal PLUS: $10 per David Booth assist and $20 per Booth goal.

Lizz Moffat: $1 per Eddie Lack save.

Chris Golden: $2 for every Canucks shot, with a doubling bonus for a shutout.  Plus $10 for Chris Tanev being Tanev.

Ashley Pothiboon: $15 for every Alex Burrows goal.

Delia Xenophontos: $10 for every Henrik Sedin point.

Jocelyn Aspa: $1 for each penalty minute awarded to Tom Sestito

Victoria Pattison Denault: $5 for every goal by a Canucks defensemen, plus a bonus $1 for each Tom Sestito penalty minute

J.J. Guerrero: $50 for a Canucks win and $50 for a Predators win.

Sean Imoo: $5 for every Nicklas Jensen point.

Want to match a CHBer? Or set a stats pledge of your own? Leave us a comment! If you get it in before 4pm we’ll add it to the post.  Let’s see how much CHB can raise!

Sell Low, Sell Hope – March 18, 2014

 C4 from CHB  1 Response »
Mar 182014
 
C4 on CHB

C4 on CHB – a canucks hockey blog podcast

With Chris away in Maui, Clay and Matt are joined by Harrison Mooney of Pass It To Bulis fame to chat about the Canucks.

With the boat taking on water, we chat about what to expect for the rest of the season now that Luongo is a Panther (SURPRISE!) and more importantly, the future.  Kesler may want out, and there actually may be a couple of prospects ready to make the team.  And as always, we have our #AskCHB and Haiku segments to bring a smile to your face.

Sell Low, Sell Hope – March 18, 2014

When Musical Bloggers Unite: Someone Like Lu

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Mar 182014
 
Harrison, Marie, and Clay

Harrison, Marie, and Clay

A couple of weeks ago, CHB favourite Marie Hui and I put together a tribute song to Roberto Luongo when he was traded to the Florida Panthers.  We performed Boyz II Men’s smash hit “End of the Road“.

Well, it seems like I’m not the only blogger who likes to write songs about Bobby Lu.  Harrison Mooney of Pass it to Bulis penned a farewell song to Luongo to the tune of Adele’s mega-hit “Someone Like You.”  Harrison contacted me to help him with the music and within 5 seconds we had agreed to invite Marie to join us.

The result is a powerful and emotional song, courtesy of Pass it to Canucks Hockey Blog.

The Game According to Twitter: Canucks 3 at Lightning 4

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Mar 182014
 

Hmmm… Where was this Alex Burrows earlier this season? With a couple more goals last night, Burr now has 5 goals in 3 games.

Silver lining, I suppose, amidst the Canucks’ pretty much closed playoff window.

Read more #TGATT goodness past the jump.

Game Day Preview Canucks vs. Lightning: Remembering that even Tampa Bay has won the Stanley Cup

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Mar 172014
 

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(Photo credit: lightning.nhl.com)

After defeating Roberto Luongo and the Florida Panthers yesterday afternoon, the Canucks are hoping to close their 4-game road trip with back-to-back wins, which, if they pull off, would be their first win streak in a couple of months. But more importantly, it would keep their faint hope of making the playoffs alive, potentially inching to within a point of the 8th place Dallas Stars, who currently hold the final wild card playoff spot. The Stars will, however, have 4 games in hand.

Nevertheless, hope, right?

Celebrating a Cup Win

The Tampa Bay Lightning will end a 6-game home stand tonight by celebrating the 10th anniversary of their Stanley Cup win in 2004. Torts, of course, coached the Lightning back then, and will likely receive a hero’s welcome from the home crowd. (Cynically, we’ll suggest there are some Canucks fans who would prefer he stays there.)

We honestly don’t know what’s more depressing – that Torts hasn’t been able to coach the Canucks this season with the same amount of success as that 2004 Lightning team, or that the Tampa Bay freaking Lightning have won a Stanley Cup.

Top Line Sighting

The top line has come alive in the last few games. After a loooong scoring drought, Alex Burrows has 3 goals and 3 assists in his last 4 games. Nicklas Jensen, who is filling in for the injured Daniel Sedin has goals in back-to-back games. There hasn’t been many bright spots for the Canucks this season, but seeing Jensen have some success at the NHL level – at least for now – is one of them.

The Game According to Twitter: Canucks 4 vs. Panthers 3 (SO)

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Mar 162014
 

Well, that was fun, wasn’t it?

The Canucks stroll into Florida, face Roberto Luongo and the Panthers, blow a late lead, and then win a shootout.

Again, the kids – especially Nicklas Jensen and Eddie Lack – played well.

All things considered, I guess we can’t ask for more than that.

Read more #TGATT goodness past the jump.

Game Day Preview Canucks vs. Panthers: It’s All About Lu

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Mar 162014
 

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(Photo credit: windsorstar.com)

The Vancouver Canucks will take on the Florida Panthers in a noon time matinee today. On this road trip so far, they’re 1-1-0, and finish off with a back-to-back today and tomorrow night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

But despite every point being so crucial to the Canucks, despite every remaining game of the season being a make-or-break game – and you can throw every other cliche out here – today, forget everything else. All everyone wants to talk about is facing long-time face of the franchise and winningest goaltender in Canucks history, Roberto Luongo, since he was traded at the trade deadline.

Their thoughts

It’s a huge game for us, it’ll be fun to see him again but we’re focused on getting the win – Henrik Sedin

Playing against Roberto in the first game is going to be a tough game. – Eddie Lack

What Lu can’t see, he can’t stop. – Alex Burrows

His thoughts

It’s going to be weird. I was in that locker room a week-and-a-half ago, so it’s the first time really I’ve been traded during the season. I don’t know how I’m going to feel but it’s definitely going to feel weird. – Roberto Luongo

Our thoughts

Please don’t shut us out. Please don’t shut us out. Please don’t shut us out.

The Game According to Twitter: Canucks 3 at Capitals 4

 Blog, TGATT  No Responses »
Mar 152014
 

Lose a bunch, win one, lose one, win one, lose two – the story of the Canucks’ 2013/2014 season.

The Canucks did play well. Even their power play looked like a real power play with scoring chances and stuff you should expect to have when you have one more guy on the ice than the other team does. But we’re way past the point of relishing moral victories. And with last night’s 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals – and the Dallas Stars getting a point against the Calgary Flames – they fall further back of the playoff picture.

Read more #TGATT goodness past the jump.

Game Day Preview Canucks at Capitals: Can the Canucks Capitalize?

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Mar 142014
 
The Canucks have already met and beaten the Capitals once this season, can they do it again? (Photo Courtesy: canucks.nhl.com)

The Canucks have already met and beaten the Capitals once this season, can they do it again without Kesler?
(Photo Courtesy: canucks.nhl.com)

The Canucks won their last game against the Winnipeg Jets last Wednesday.

Alex Burrows not only scored his first goal of the season, but he scored twice.

Chris Higgins and his washboard abs scored the winning goal in the shootout. (Yes, the Canucks won in the shootout.)

Wait, aren’t we supposed to be tanking?

The playoff race continues tonight for the Canucks as they face a similarly-desperate Washington Capitals team. Both the Canucks (30-28-10) and the Caps (30-27-10) have 70 points, good for 10th place in the Western Conference and 11th place in the Eastern Conference, respectively. The playoff door hasn’t shut completely for either team, but unless they can string together some a lot of wins, it’s surely about to close pretty quickly.

The Great 8

While it’s been a disappointing season overall for the Caps, Alex Ovechkin at least is having another good season. He leads the league with 44 goals; meanwhile, on the other side of the ledger, the Canuck’s big 3, Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler have combined for 45 goals all together. Not that this matters much tonight with Danny and Kes both out with injuries, but the stat kinda makes you cringe, eh?

Zack is Back

Zack Kassian is back tonight after serving his 3-game suspension.

Burr is Back

Well, we hope so anyway. With 2 goals, 6 shots and 5 hits, Burr is coming off what is easily his best game of the season. Maybe with the proverbial monkey off his back now, let’s hope Burr is back for good.

Kes is Out

It sounds like Kes suffered a sprained knee from Jim Slater’s knee-on-knee hit last Wednesday and will miss a couple of weeks. The injury looked a lot worse when it happened. That he’ll be able to come back for the last couple of weeks of the regular season is good news or bad news, depending on which side of the “should the Canucks tank” you fall on.

With Brad Richardson out as well, we may be looking at a lineup with Hank, Shawn Matthias, Jordan Schroeder and Zac Dalpe down the middle.

Scary.

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