Good luck puppy pic

Jack is focused and ready for a big Canucks win... that is if he isn't napping or distracted by something.

GAME DAY: Canucks @ Islanders

After a fairly successful homestand that saw Roberto Luongo re-establish himself as a goaltending force in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks head out on a 4 game road swing to see if they can re-establish something else they have enjoyed over the last few years: an ability to dominate Eastern teams. They certainly didn't dominate the shot clock Saturday against the Leafs, but they didnt spend all night on defense either. This struggling Islanders team however may be just the thing they need to get geared up for the big matchup Wednesday afternoon at MSG against Markus Naslund and the Rangers. The Islanders are once again floundering, but are coming off back to back wins against the struggling Ottawa Senators. They have yet to win 3 in a row this season so you know they will be pushing hard in this one. The Canucks have won their last 2 on the road, the most recent one the Halloween shootout shocker against the Ducks. Pavol Demitra's return to the lineup Saturday was huge as he set up 3 of the 4 Canucks goals, and Luongo as mentioned was strong when he needed to be. He is 4-0-1 in his last 5 with a 0.59 GAA. The Islanders have yet to win back to back at home this year, and may be starting Joey McDonald tonight, who has never faced the Canucks in his career. The Isles have a good PK, ranked 9th in the league, but their PP is 26th, so an improving Canucks PK should be able to handle them. Doug Weight has been everything the Islanders had hoped when they brought him over in the offseason, leading the team with 15 points, but apart from Trent Hunter, there isn't much else to speak of on this Islanders squad. There are some Canucks connections in the lineup, as former Nucks richard Park and Mike Sillinger (he is on IR, though) are in the lineup, as well as Jeff Tambellini, son of former Asst. GM Steve Tambellini. With G Rick DiPietro on IR once again, this one could be easy as long as the Canucks come out strong, stay focused and play their style of road game. They need to address the task at hand before they start thinking ahead to Wednesday. The game goes tonight at 4pm PST on Sportsnet with John Shorthouse and John Garrett, and Joey Kenward and Tommy Larscheid have the call on the Team 1040 as always.

As a kid I was also a big Islanders fan (a childhood friend's dad played junior hockey in Kamloops with legendary Islander tough guy and Stanley Cup OT hero Bobby Nystrom). My first Canucks game was against the Islanders in 1977, and after the game we got to meet the Islanders in the dressing room. I think Nystrom had a hat trick in that game. They certainly aren't the team that dominated the league for a number of years back then, but they still have a special place in my love for hockey.

Afternoon celebrating the win over the Leafs puppy goodness...

Canucks vs. Leafs Post Game

Boy they made it so close. The Canucks are lucky they have Luongo. Wellwood's goal was a fluke, and I think there was interfer... uh, sorry. I seem to have been temporarily possessed by a Leafs fan for a minute there. Fact is, all the score does is flatter the Leafs even more. They had no business winning that game, because they didnt mount any type of sustained pressure. Sure they outshot the Canucks, but they didn't dominate the play. If anything, they should thank their defense for doing such a good job of clogging up the slot so the Canucks couldnt get shots through on the point. Hey at least one of their scouts was paying attention...
Pavol Demitra had an impressive return, setting up 3 of the 4 goals, including the opener from Wellwood, who was in the lineup because of Demitra's rib injury in the first place. As far as the story of the game though it was the 5 on 3 powerplay that the Leafs had in the first. Roberto Luongo, playing without a stick stopped the Leafs 5 times, and not long after Wellwood got the Canucks on the board. The defensive duo of Shane O'Brien and Lawrence Nycholat were solid last night, and Nycholat's set up of Daniel Sedin for the 4th Canucks goal was downright impressive. Who knew he had that kind of set up ability? Favorite moment of that game however, besides the fans chanting "Leafs Suck" after various organ tunes, was the Willie Mitchell goal. Big Willie has been busting his ass this year, and is well on his way to a career high for points, but had been goal-less so far. So it was fitting that his goal was not only a beauty, as he charged up the middle to tap it home, but it was the game winner. Luongo may be the Captain, but as far as the skaters go, Mitchell leads by example with heart and desire every night on the ice. The Taylor Pyatt bashing continues, and Steve Bernier continues to be snakebit. Pyatt didn't play bad IMO, and as far as Bernier, you can feel it building up, and we will probably see a long streak coming from him. So with that Eastern roadtrip out of sight and another one approaching, the Canucks are now 7-2-1 in their last 10, neck and neck with the Wild for 1st in the Division. First up on the trip is the Islanders, followed by a game we've all had circled on the calendar: the Rangers and Markus Naslund. This game is not just huge because it's against our former Captain, but because this will send a message to the league and many of those sports writers who still think it's the Vancouver Luongos: This team is far better than you thought, and while it's not necessary to apologize, should they beat the Rangers, you can at least admit you were wrong. Yeah I get a little worked up about this stuff. I'm a fan, no apologies.
The new jerseys made their debut last night, and I think I speak for most when I say the Johnny Canuck shoulder patch should have been the main logo. I like 'em, but they would have been the best jersey in the league with JC on the front.

There could very well be a podcast for that game Monday, it all depends on how many puppies we still have around the house (the shameless attention hogs that they are, they're always trying to hog the mic).

Canucks vs. Leafs Second Period

To paraphrase a CDC poster: "the new gold standard of how much your team sucks is when Willie Mitchell scores on you". While Toronto is obviously trying, the Daniel Sedin goal was a back-breaker. For as few shots as the Canucks have managed, the play certainly hasn't seemed so lopsided as you would guess from looking at the score. Nice stat about the Canucks not giving up an even strength goal since the Halloween game against Anaheim. The Leafs haven't really played a bad game, they just haven't gotten any breaks, can't do anything with their PPs, didn't get any help from their goaltending and have poor penalty killing. But other than that, they're right in it.

Canucks vs. Leafs First Period

All in all an entertaining first period. Roberto Luongo may have played the most amazing stretch during that 5 on 3 since he came to Vancouver, and that's saying something. Gotta feel good for Kyle Wellwood, potting one against his old team, you know that one stings. Toskala does not look good so far, and it may be a good thing for him that once again we are struggling to get shots through. I am looking for some rolaids because I know I will need them after the spin Cherry puts on what was a disastrous 1st period for the Leafs. They may not recover the lost momentum from that 5 on 3. Good on Luke Schenn for sticking up for his teammate, but loved the way Davison was feeding him lol.

GAME DAY: Canucks vs Avalanche

It's been quite a week for Roberto Luongo and the Canucks. After returning what most felt was a disastrous road trip, and a hard fought loss to Detroit, the Canucks didn't just rattle off 3 wins, they shut them out. Another important game tonight as they take on a divisional opponent they haven't seen yet this year; the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avs have a bit of a different look about them, gone are some familiar faces like Jose Theodore, Kurt Sauer, Brad Richardson and Jeff Finger and in are Andrew Raycroft Daniel Tjarnqvist, Ruslan Salei and Darcy Tucker. The most notable thing thus far about the Avs is how hot & cold they have been. They've had a 5 game win streak, but also had losing streaks of 3 and 5 games, the latter broken Saturday with a 1-0 win over Phoenix. As far as the Canucks go, it appears to be business as usual except we could see the return of Janick Hansen and Pavol Demitra is expected back soon from his rib contusion. Rick Rypien remains on the IR. The biggest Canucks killer of all time is out for the Avs, as Burnaby Joe Sakic remains day to day with a back injury, as is Tjarnqvist (foot).

A lot of the focus will be on Luongo, and can he keep this streak going, now at over 10 periods of scoreless hockey. Luongo doesn't seem to be putting too much emphasis on it, the real focus should be the continued strong play of the defence that has kept their opponents to under 30 shots in each of these 3 shutouts. One of the biggest disasters last season was their play against the Avs, as they won the first 2 meetings, only to drop the last 6. They will need to continue their unbeaten streak against their divisional rivals, a tough challenge against a talented team that is better than their record indicates. Fortunately, they won't have to face Jose Theodore, who was in net for 5 of those 6 wins. They will likely face Peter Budaj, coming off a shutout Saturday himself.

Keys to the game:
1- First goal a must- The Canucks, like most other teams do better when they score first. Though they have shown an ability to come from behind this year, it's crucial, especially to get the crowd into it like they were against Minnesota to give them something to cheer about.
2- 11 minutes- Just over 11 minutes into the first and Roberto Luongo will break his shutout minutes streak. Though they say they aren't thinking that, if they can get past this mark, it will no doubt give them a boost that will be hard to overcome.
3- No Sakic, but lots to contain- They may not have Joe, and Andrew Brunette may have left for Minnesota, but there are still a number of offensive concerns with the Avs. They have to keep a lid on Milan Hejduk, Marek Svatos, Paul Stastny, Ryan Smith and Wojtek Wolski, as well as John-Micheal Liles and their mobile defence.

Overall, this to me smells like a win. The Canucks are playing a very confident brand of hockey right now, getting balanced scoring, limiting their opposition's chances and adapting their style of play to counter their opponents styles quite well. That and the return of Janick Hansen should see another fine performance on TSN tonight. Gametime is at 7 and as always you can hear it on the Team 1040 with John Shorthouse and Tommy Larscheid.

GAME DAY: Canucks vs Wild

Two games in a row, two more consistent efforts and 2 shutouts to show for it. But the Canucks have a much more difficult task at hand tonight as they take on the division leading Minnesota Wild at GM Place. This would be, for those of you who are counting, The Most Important Game Of The Year Part 3. Minnesota has gotten off to a flying start this year with the tried and true methods of the Cult of Lemaire(™), stifling, yawn-inducing defence; tenacious forechecking; solid goaltending; and the ever present threat he might let Derek Boogaard take a shift and punch a hole in someone. And yet for as well as the Wild have played, and as inconsistent as the Canucks have been, a win can launch Vancouver over Minnesota into 1st, as the teams are separated by a mere loser point the Wild picked up. Vancouver's season will depend once again on how well they do against their divisional rivals. 2 years ago they were great, and made the playoffs. Last season they weren't and, well you see what I am getting at. Roberto Luongo is playing his best hockey of the season right now, his goalless streak sitting at 138 minutes and 34 seconds. Minnesota hasn't been shutout since Feb of last season, but considering the trouble this team has scoring goals, it could very well be tonight. Some of the Canucks will no doubt have the last meeting of these 2 teams in the back of their mind, which the Wild won 4-0, part of that horrendous slide that ended the Canucks season. Luongo will need to buck a trend against Minnesota, his worst record against any one opponent is Minnesota, including going 3-4-1 last season. One bit of good news is the Wild will still be without one of their best Dmen tonight. Brent Burns is out with an upperbody injury (remember when they only used to not tell you during the playoffs?) and will miss the game. For the Canucks, Alex Burrows missed yesterday's practice but is expected to be in the lineup, and Janick Hansen could return as well from his groin injury. More good news on the horizon as Pavol Demitra may get cleared to return to practicing Monday, he has begun skating and is healing ahead of schedule. Rick Rypien is still on the IR after his sports hernia tear. The Wild will also be without Marion Gaborik, Owen Nolan and Kurtis Foster, Tomas Mojzis is listed as day-to-day. This has all the makings of a classic battle: 2 teams with an intense dislike for each other, first place on the line, one of the top scoring teams against a defensive juggernaut. Something has to give and it will tonight.

GAME DAY: Canucks vs Predators

After a frustrating loss to the Red Wings Sunday night, the Canucks look to get back on track tonight on TSN with a matchup against the surging Nashville Predators. They played well against Detroit, except for on the PK, where Detroit was able to score all 3 of their goals. Nashville comes into this game 3-0-1 in their last 4, behind the strong play of Dman Shea Weber, who was named 3rd star of the month on nhl.com, and leads all defencemen with 11 points. The Canucks will again be without Janick Hansen, who suffered a groin pull in the 7-6 shootout win over Anaheim Friday night. Rick Rypien and Pavol Demitra are still on the IR and the Canucks have put Michel Ouellet on recall to get him up for the game, hopefully no one grabs him before they get a chance to get him in the line up for a chance to see what he can do. Roberto Luongo will get the nod for the Canucks again tonight, while Pekka Rinne has started the last 2 games, as #1 guy Dan Ellis has been on the bench with back stiffness, I bet we see Ellis tonight though. One good thing is the Preds special teams are atrocious, even worse on the road, and that may be just the thing to get the Nux back on track. Mason Raymond and Kevin Bieksa have been stellar lately for the Canucks, Raymond with 9 points in his last 9 games and Bieksa returning to the form he showed in his rookie season, playing with edge and composure. It's nice to see him with his confidence back.

WTF Was That??? Canucks 7 Ducks 6 (SO)

Ok, that had to be the most messed up game I can recall the Canucks being involved in for a long time. Each period was a game unto its self. The Canucks played well in the first, apart from the penalty issues that continue to plague them, and didn't give up after surrendering 2 quick PP goals to the Ducks. Steve Bernier continued his strong play, and his first period goal set this crazy night in motion. The second period, more Canucks penalties, yet the Canucks rattled off 4 goals on 13 shots, the 4th goal of the night chasing J.S. Giguere, and then Jonas Hiller gave up his first one, the Canucks now have a 5-2 lead and it's all good, right? Wrong. Just a couple moments later, the game is now tied in what has to be some of the sloppiest and craziest few minutes of hockey in recent memory. Moving on to the 3rd, and it's Bernier again, using his size and speed to charge in and scoop the carom off the boards of a Kevin Bieksa shoot-in and the Canucks are back in the lead. But with the goalie pulled, an uncharacteristically bad attempt to clear the zone by Mattias Ohlund leads to Corey Perry's last minute goal, his 5th point of the night. OT solves nothing so they go to the shootout. An amazing deke from Kyle Wellwood puts the Canucks up, but it's matched by Ryan Getzlaf. It doesn't end until Vancouver's 13th shooter, Mattias Ohlund makes amends for his goof in the 3rd and ends it, giving the Canucks the 7-6 win to sweep the mini road trip to California. A few things came to mind as I looked at the aftermath of this game:
- The Oilers have now dropped to the division basement, and this time they don't have injuries as a reason for their slump. It's early, but things aren't looking good in Oil Country right now.
- The next hockey writer to say the Canucks have trouble scoring this year is gonna get a smack, as they are now 3rd in goals for. Seriously, it's as bad as the Obama hangs with terrorists line...
- Luongo may not have played like he did against LA, but when he needed to make the big saves in OT and the shootout he did, some amazing stuff there in the skills competition...
- After that horrendous road trip, and for how good the Flames and Wild have played lately, there we are tied for the division lead... makes me look forward to our first matchup against the Mild...
- We get another shot at Detroit Sunday, and I hear the 7th man may actually show up for this one.

Overall the last 7 days have been good for the Canucks. They've won 3 of 4, scored 17 goals, allowing 10, and made up for those losses on the eastern swing. a 2 week homestand and a chance to really put together some wins can help set them up for the season, and it all starts tomorrow against the Wings.