Mired in a 3-game losing slump, the Canucks called a team meeting prior to facing the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night. Did it work?
So they don't take an early penalty, but give up an early goal. Brutal. #Canucks down 1-0 just 24 seconds in. #TGATT
— Canucks Hockey Blog (@canuckshockey) March 11, 2013
Ummm…
The Vancouver Canucks dropped their 4th straight loss – this one a 4-2 decision to the Minnesota Wild in Minnesota.
I didn’t get a chance to watch this game so instead I relied on some insight from one of my colleagues here at CHB: Caylie King (@cayking). Through the magic of WhatsApp, Caylie provided me insight on scoring, fighting, and injuries.
With the Minnesota win, they overtook the Canucks for first place in the Northwest Division for the first time since December 2011. At that time, I wrote a song called “Under the Minneso” – a spoof of Justin Bieber’s “Under the Mistletoe”. I’ve included it at the end of this CCC.
Photo credit: Sports Network
Last week, the Canucks posted 1 win, sandwiched between 2 losses. They fell short to the Phoenix Coyotes, won a statement game against the Los Angeles Kings, and then travelled to Calgary 2 hours before puck drop and dropped what should have been a sure win against the Flames.
You can say the Canucks had a week that has been typical of their NHL season so far – if there’s one thing this team has shown through their first 21 games, it’s that they’ve been consistent in their inconsistency.
However, there are signs that the team may be awakening from a mid-season slumber. For one thing, Daniel Sedin has slowly moved up the NHL’s scoring ranks; with 15 points in his last 13 games, Danny now sits 21st in league scoring, just 7 points back of 3rd place, Chris Kunitz. (Hands up if you picked Chris Kunitz this high in your hockey pools. Didn’t think so.) Likewise, Henrik Sedin has 15 points in his last 11 games – including 6 multi-point games in his last 10 games – and now has 21 points for the season as well. The twins also did well to push back – physically (!) – against Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty and the Kings. Chris Higgins, with 3 goals in his last 4 games, is showing signs of life, and as well, 6’5″, 228 lb. Tom Sestito, with 2 fights in 2 games since being plucked from waivers, has given the Canucks some nastiness in the lineup.
Canucks Record
21 GP, 11-6-4, 26 points (1st in Northwest Division, 3rd in Western Conference)
Who’s Next
Tuesday, March 5, 2013 vs. San Jose Sharks (7:00 PM start)
After starting the season with a 7-0-1 record, the Sharks have cooled off considerably, going 3-6-3 in their last 12 games. Currently, they’re tied for 4th place in the Western Conference, but as we all know, the standings change pretty much on a nightly basis in the wild, wild, West.
In their first meeting of the season back in January, the Sharks beat the Canucks 4-1. Joe Pavelski led the Sharks with 2 goals in that game, while Alex Burrows had the Canucks’ lone goal.
Jumbo Joe Thornton leads the Sharks in assists (18), points (22) and is a team-best plus-5. Patrick Marleau has a team-high 12 goals, including 3 game-winning goals.
Thursday, March 7, 2013 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (4:00 PM)
For the Columbus Blue Jackets, it may be a new year, and they may have some new faces, but unfortunately, they seem to be getting the same results as they always have. With only 6 wins in their first 22 games this season, the Blue Jackets sit at the bottom of the Western Conference.
The Canucks went 3-0-1 against the Blue Jackets last season with Cory Schneider in net for all 3 wins. Something tells me AV’s coin flip will be calling out Schneids name on Thursday. Daniel Sedin had 5 points (3G-2A) in the 4 series games last season. Right now, he’s leading the Canucks with 21 points (8G-13A) in 21 games.
Vinny Prospal, Fedor Tyutin and Mark Letestu all have 12 points to lead the Blue Jackets.
Sunday, March 10, 2013 vs. Minnesota Wild (5:00 PM)
After 3 straight wins last week, a 2.00 GAA and 0.914 save percentage, Niklas Backstrom was named the NHL’s 3rd star of the week. As such, the Wild are breathing down the Canucks’ neck in the Northwest Division – they trail the Canucks by just 2 points now.
In their last game against each other in February, the Canucks won decisively by a score of 4-1. Cory Schneider was in net for that win..
Zach Parise and Dany Heatley lead the team with 8 goals each, while captain Mikko Koivu leads the team with 17 points.
After dominating the Kings last night, the Canucks play the second of their weekend back-to-back against the Calgary Flames. That is if they ever make it to the arena.
In goal, it’s the Battle of the Backups: Roberto Luongo for the Canucks and Danny Taylor with his first ever home start for the Flames.
Taylor V Luongo? Is that even fair? #TGATT
— Matthew Brosseau (@MattBInYYC) March 4, 2013
As it turns out, it was more fair than we anticipated.
In a grudge match of sorts, the Canucks host the Los Angeles Kings for the first time since the Kings eliminated them in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
Opened a beer. Now THIS is a game. THIS I've missed. #playlikewinners #playlikechampions #TGATT @canucksgame
— Arielle Tuliao (@ajtuliao) March 3, 2013
Hockey, check. Beer, check. Here we go.
It’s an early game in Detroit today. Luckily NASCAR finished on time, so there were no TV conflicts in my house. None of the duct taped cars won, so I was pretty disappointed.
Now THIS is what I call an afternoon delight! #Canucks #Redwings #TGATT #VancouverCanucks #GetGlue http://t.co/fGixmNddaZ
— Justine Galo (@Aviewfromabroad) February 24, 2013
The Canucks look for a win against Dallas after a pedantic win over Minnesota.
And back after a spell with Chris Golden & Victoria Pattison behind the CHB TGATT desk tonight, you know Lizz will be bringing here A game. Just like Aaron Freaking Rome:
Henrik better not overshadow Rome's return
— Taj (@taj1944) February 16, 2013
The Canucks are back from a short two-game roadtrip where they potted four solid points and are looking to douse the Flames.
And with Chris Golden manning the CHB TGATT desk tonight, you all know what that means:
Well, this game is going fast. Top Gun fast. #Canucks #TGATT
— Walter Siu (@waterboy99troop) February 10, 2013
That’s right. Top Freaking Gun!
The Canucks are in Minnesota, the second – and last – stop of their mini two-game road trip.
Zach Parise would now like his name to be pronounced ‘Par-easy’. Obviously, everyone makes fun of him for his pronunciation preferences.
Is it just me or are Shorty & Cheech saying "Pareasy" as much as possible? #trollingParise #TGATT #CanucksG10
— luonGOLD (@luonGOLD) February 8, 2013
Dale Weise would like his last name pronounced "Gretzky" claims Dale.
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) February 8, 2013
Remember when Cody Hodgson tried to correct all of our pronunciations of his last name? Good times.
Photo credit: National Post
With less than a week of games under the NHL’s belt in this shortened 2013 season, I’m shocked at how many things made me go hmmm…
Here are a few of the biggest head scratchers:
Goalie Drama. Again. Sigh.
The Vancouver Canucks have not traded Roberto Luongo. Despite claiming Cory Schneider is their number one, they pulled Schneider in game 1 and didn’t give him a chance in game 2. Alain Vigneault’s talk doesn’t match his walk. If Schneider is the Canucks’ number 1, he would get the start, even after being pulled. In the last few seasons, Luongo would get the start even after being pulled or a poor showing. Between Vigneault’s refusal to stick with his supposed number 1, and his further refusal to even announce his starter until minutes before a game, the goalie controversy is gaining life instead of losing it. It doesn’t matter how professional an organization is, that kind of extended drama is going to make an impact in a bad way. It has with the fan base. Luongo homers are openly tweeting hopefully for Cory’s failure.
Reality check: Schneider isn’t the only number one to struggle. The New York Rangers pulled Henrik Lundqvist in the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins after he stopped just 14 of 18 shots. Why aren’t Rangers fans screaming for Marty Biron to take over the number 1 spot? Because Rangers management isn’t wishy-washy on their faith in Lundqvist.
Does a Short Season Mean it’s a Free-For-All?
If you look at the results throughout the league over the first few days of the season, it’s glaringly obvious the favourites aren’t doing so well. A lot of sportscasters tagged the Rangers to be the team most likely to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup this year; they’ve yet to win a game. Same with the Philadelphia Flyers, who the pundits always predict some noise in the playoffs. And as we all know, same with the Canucks.
In fact the only favourite doing really well are the Penguins. The Chicago Blackhawks, much to my personal chagrin, are also starting strong. In a shortened season, getting a fast start out of the gate and winning from the get-go is important. Sure the Canucks (and Rangers and Flyers) have only lost 2 or 3 games, but with less time to catch up, it’s worrisome. I have a feeling we may be even more surprised by this year’s Cup winner than last year’s.
Jersey Off Our Backs Make Me Go Hmmm… and Mmmm
After watching the Jersey Off Our Backs presentation on Saturday, I’m left with a few questions. Bear with me as I have never played hockey.
How come the Canucks don’t all wear the same pads? I assumed they would all wear similar, if not the same pads, but Lapierre is wearing red ones that make him look like he’s still a Hab. Yes I actually looked at his pads, not just his pretty face. It was hard but I did it. Mostly everyone else on the team had white pads, or in David Booth’s case, a really bad checkered shirt.
And does Higgins not wear anything under his pads just so he can hear the squeals of delight as he pulls his shirt off? This is the second Jersey off Our Backs that I’ve witnessed live and in-person and once again Higgy wasn’t wearing Under Armour – he’s the only hockey player I’ve seen that goes bare under the pads. Why does he do it? Why doesn’t anyone else? Not that I’m complaining; it does make me go Hmmm… and Mmmm.