Canucks season preview: Line combinations
With the recent signing of the gritty and versatile Raffi Torres, the Canucks have a full compliment of NHL level forwards for the upcoming season. Aside from Cody Hodgson, who needs to have a fantastic camp, players like Jordan Schroeder, Alexandre Bolduc, Sergei Shirokov, Mario Bliznak, and Viktor Oreskevich are long-shots to make the opening day roster.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Aaron Rome, Alexander Edler, Alexandre Bolduc, Alexandre Burrows, Andrew Alberts, Christian Ehrhoff, Cody Hodgson, Dan Hamhuis, Daniel Sedin, Darcy Hordichuk, Henrik Sedin, Jannik Hansen, Jordan Schroeder, Keith Ballard, Kevin Bieksa, Manny Malhotra, Mario Bliznak, Mason Raymond, Mikael Samuelsson, Raffi Torres, Rick Rypien, Ryan Kesler, Sami Salo, Sergei Shirokov, Shane O’Brien, Tanner Glass, Viktor Oreskevich
Canucks season preview: Sizing up the roster
GM Mike Gillis didn’t waste anytime making changes to a Vancouver team that has bowed out in the 2nd round of the playoffs 2 yeas in a row. His first move was to send the Canucks 2nd round pick, Steve Bernier, and Michael Grabner to the Florida Panthers for Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskivich.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, NHLHS Features, Nashville Predators, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Aaron Rome, Alexander Edler, Alexandre Bolduc, Alexandre Burrows, and Darcy Hordichuk, Andrew Alberts, Andrew Raycroft, Christian Erhoff, Cody Hodgson, Cory Schneider, Dan Hamhuis, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Ian Clark, Jannik Hansen, Joel Perrault, Jordan Schroeder, Keith Ballard, Kevin Bieksa, Kyle Wellwood, Manny Malhotra, Mario Bliznak, Mason Raymond, Michael Grabner, Mikael Samuelsson, Mike Gillis, Rick Rypien, Robert Luongo, Roland Melanson, Ryan Johnson, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Suter, Sami Salo, Sergei Shirokov, Shane O’Brien, Shea Weber, Steve Bernier, Tanner Glass, Tomas Fleischmann, Victor Oreskivich
Who should be the Canucks captain?
NHLHS Vancouver Canucks Correspondents Will & Valerie Wittstruck discuss their thoughts on who should be captain of the Canucks.
As 2010-11 NHL season approaches, it’s time to examine the Canucks on-ice leadership. Read more…
Categories: Around the League, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Bill Durnan, Dan Hamhuis, Henrik Sedin, Markus Naslund, Mattias Ohlund, Mikael Samuelsson, Mike Gillis, Nicklas Lidstrom, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Willie Mitchell
Pros & Cons: Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series. We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will fare against each other.
Read more…
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alex Burrows, Andrew Alberts, Antti Niemi, Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks, Duncan Keith, Dustin Byfuglien, Henrik Sedin, Kyle Wellwood, Mayson Raymond, Mikael Samuelsson, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Smyth, Steve Bernier, Troy Brouwer, Vancouver Canucks, Willie Mitchell
Canucks solve Kings in game 5
The Vancouver Canuck finally figured out what it will take the beat the Los Angeles Kings in their first round matchup. It’s something that many hockey writers, bloggers, and Canucks fans have been going on and on about since the start of the series. What is the answer? Simple, stay out of the penalty box! Unfortunately, it took the Canucks 3+ games to figure it out, but if they stay out of the penalty box the Kings have no chance 5 on 5. The Kings have scored 10 of their 16 goals with the man advantage while the Canucks have outscored the Kings 16-6 at even strength. Through the first 3 games and 2 periods of the series the Canucks gave the Kings power play after power play and they paid the price. Say what you will about the missed and questionable calls that have gone against Vancouver in the series, but they had been giving the referees too many reasons to call penalties.
In the last 4 periods of the series the Canucks have scored 11 goals after only scoring 10 in the first 11 periods. And in the last 2 games they have scored 13 goals after only scoring 8 in games 1-3. The 3rd period in game 4 the Canucks really found their game again as Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin came alive and got the comeback going. They had pretty much been a non-factor up to this point, with much of the praise going to the Kings defensive play. Once those flood gates opened up and the Canucks started to gain confidence it really put the Kings back on their heals and they looked nothing like the team earlier in the series.
One reason the Canucks have gotten back into this series is the play of Mikael Samuelsson. He’s already scored 7 goals, 2 more than he had in each of the last 2 play-off runs with Detroit. His strong play has made many forget that Alex Burrows, the Canucks leading goal scorer in the regular season has been held without a goal in the series so far. In fact, Burrows and Samuelsson have switched lines as Alain Vigneault has searched for the right chemistry. Mike Gillis continues to look like a genius for signing Samuelsson as a free-agent in the offseason. The Canucks have definitely benefitted by giving him more ice time than he had in Detroit and his snub by the Swedish Olympic team lit a fire that has burned long after the Olympic torch was extinguished.
As several Canucks fans mentioned on Twitter, the Kings seemed preoccupied with trying to get the Canucks to take penalties instead of playing their game. Obviously it didn’t work and they were unable to make adjustments quick enough as the Canucks spent the game dismantling LA’s defensive coverage and exposing their lack of speed. They also got a lot more traffic in front of Quick, even bumping into him as the Kings have been doing all series with Roberto Luongo. The Kings did try to stir things up at the end of the game with Shane O’Brien fighting Wayne Simmonds and Rick Rypien with the one-punch knockdown of Kings goon Rich Clune. While it’s not unusual for a coach to send out his tough guys at the end of a game to get his team going, it is unusual to see a coach do it in the final 4 minutes of a game that was already over. For his efforts, Klune ended up with a separated shoulder in the fight. It would seem that the time to pick a fight would’ve been much earlier in the game. Clune was trying to get under the Canucks skin all night, but his act was amateur hour at best.
It will be very interesting to see if the Canucks can keep building on the momentum they have gained and how the young Kings team will respond to the elimination possibility in game 6. Will playing on home ice be a burden or uplifting for them, or will they crack and wilt under the pressure? Either way, the Kings have a lot to be proud of this year playing in the toughest division in the NHL and looking very much like the Chicago Blackhawks of last season. They have a very bright future, but the time is now for the Canucks to take game 6 and this series. Go Canucks Go!
I-5 Canucks
NHLHS Canucks Correspondents
hipcheck44@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @Hipcheck44 and @WCE71944
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Los Angeles Kings, Northwest, Pacific, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alain Vigneault, Alex Burrows, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Mikael Samuelsson, Mike Gillis, Rich Clune, Rick Rypien, Roberto Luongo, Shane O'Brien, Wayne Simmonds
NHL Conspiracy Theories: Allegations and Facts
NHLHS writer David Strehle takes a look at Conspiracy Theories regarding certain NHL teams as fans, players, and even coaches are getting into the act.
NHL fans are a passionate lot, and the postseason seems to magnify the emotions of even the most casual of fans.
But it seems that some extremely passionate supporters are becoming paranoid, especially when they appear to be looking through glasses that are in the shape of their rooting interest’s logo.
Categories: Around the League, NHLHS Features, Playoff Coverage Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Daniel Sedin, Evgeni Malkin, gary bettman, Henrik Sedin, Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Marc Andre Fleury, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Roberto Luongo, Sergei Gonchar, Sidney Crosby, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals
Follow The Underdog, Hold On His Collar Tight- Kaiser Chiefs, Off With Their Heads!
Follow the underdog, hold on his collar tight
-Kaiser Chiefs- Off With Their Heads (2008)
This is the song of the blog <and part of the next> because I think it is just that fitting.. plus the name of the cd it is from.. HEH. <save the line that ends the blog>
Categories: Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Anze Kopitar, Christian Ehroff, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Henrik Sedin, Jack Johnson, JMFJ, Jonathan Quick, Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings, Manchester Monarchs, Pittsburgh Pen, Rob Scuderi, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Smyth, Scuds, Vancouver Canucks, Wayne Simmonds
Pros & Cons: Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks
Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series. We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will interact.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Edler, Alexander Frolov, Alexandre Burrows, Anze Kopitar, Christian Erhoff, Daniel Sedin, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Fredrik Modin, Henrik Sedin, Jack Johnson, Jon Quick, Jonathan Bernier, Justin Williams, Kevin Bieksa, Mathieu Schneider, Michal Handzus, Mikael Samuelsson, Pavol Demitra, Rob Scuderi, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Smyth, Sean O'Donnell, Shane O’Brien, Willie Mitchell
Choose Your Own Adventure…
How about I jinx the entire playoffs… and claim ignorance for my sins? Hey look… the last time the LA Kings were in the playoffs this was simple… I WANTED the Detroit Red Wings… I was living with a fan… In 1993, it was so freaking unexpected, that who gave a crap what opponent came next…. HA! So this is not only a long time coming… it is a new territory… so I claim ignorance in stirring the wrath of the Hockey Gods … and should a punishment HAVE TO rain down on me… just leave my boys out of it, mmmk? They know NOT what I do.... Bring on.... Did you think we were just giving that away?? Uh. No.
Categories: Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Antti Niemi, Anze Kopitar, Chicago Blackhawks, Christian Ehroff, Cristobal Huet, Detroit Red Wings, Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith, Henrik Sedin, Hockey Gods, Jack Johnson, Jack MF Johnson, JMFJ, Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings, Manchester Monarchs, Patrick Kane, Roberto Luongo, Sensnation, Vancouver Canucks
Canucks Clinch NW Division Crown
With a 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, the Canucks clinched their 2nd straight Northwest Division title and their 3rd in the last 4 years.
Ryan Kesler opened the scoring at 5:02 of the 1st period with a short-handed goal with assists going to Sami Salo and Alex Burrows. For Burrows, that was his league leading 7th shorthanded point of the season.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alex Burrows, Alexander Edler, Alexander Ovechkin, Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen, Cody Almond, Henrik Sedin, Kevin Bieksa, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Niklas Backstrom, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Sami Salo
Who is the Canucks MVP?
With the season drawing to a close and the Canucks sitting alone atop the Northwest Division, it’s time to take a look at possible MVP candidates. Read more…
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alex Burrows, Christian Erhoff, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Kevin Bieksa, Mikael Samuelsson, Mike Gillis, Pavol Demitra, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Sami Salo, Willie Mitchell
Henrik Sedin gets points 100 and 101 in Canucks loss
Our wonderful duo that comprise I-5 Canucks discuss Henrik Sedin and his excellent season which puts him in the running for a scoring title.
Although the Vancouver Canucks came up short in their effort tonight against the San Jose Sharks, Henrik Sedin became the first Canuck player to reach 100 points since Markus Naslund did it on this day in 2003. The assist also made Henrik the first player in the NHL this season to reach the 100 point plateau.
Henrik got his 100th point of the season after Alex Burrows scored his 34th of the season on a shot that dribbled past Evgeni Nabokov to open the scoring. Henrik picked up his 2nd assist (and 101st point) on the Canucks second goal, a power play marker by brother Daniel Sedin. Unfortunately that was all the magic they could muster as they ran out of time.
Henrik ends the night with a 3 point lead over Alex Ovechkin. Only time will tell if he’ll be able to maintain his lead, as Ovechkin has been in a bit of a slump and is due to break out anytime.
I-5 Canucks
NHLHS Canucks Correspondents
hipcheck44@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @Hipcheck44 and @WCE71944
Categories: NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alex Burrows, Alexander Ovechkin, Daniel Sedin, Evgeni Nabakov, Henrik Sedin, Markus Naslund, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks
Sitting Ducks Fall To Canucks
The Anaheim Ducks fell 4-1 to the Vancouver Canucks. Making their struggle to reach the post season even tougher.
Saku Koivu was the one and only goal scorer for the Ducks in last night’s 4 – 1 loss to the Canucks in Vancouver. Only 9 games remain for Anaheim and they saw their already slim chance of making the playoffs dwindle to a virtually non-existent one. 11 points back of Detroit and Colorado for the last position, the Ducks have an incredibly hard road ahead of them.
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Around the League, By Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Andrew Raycroft, Christian Ehrhoff, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Getzlaf, Saku Koivu, Scott Neidermayer, Vancouver Canucks
Henrik Sedin Takes NHL Scoring Lead With Canucks 4-1 Win
Henrik Sedin assisted on the first 3 Canucks goals and had his 31st multiple point game of the season as he became the NHL’s leading scorer with 99 points. He now has a 1 point lead over Alexander Ovechkin who had an assist in Washington’s 4-3 shootout win over Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.
There was a lot of discussion tonight on TSN about the Hart Trophy and the fact that Henrik is a legitimate contender for the trophy even though Ovechkin and Crosby are the popular choices. While Ovechkin has 45 goals, the Capitals continued to win even when he was out of the lineup. The Canucks would not be where they are without Henrik’s consistent scoring this season, even while Daniel Sedin was out of the lineup for 18 games.
With 8 games left after tonight, Henrik still has a shot at catching Pavel Bure’s team record of 110 points set during the 92-93 season. If he keeps up his current pace he’ll end up with 110 points.
Andrew Raycroft gets the win in goal for the Canucks and it’s also the first time a healthy Roberto Luongo has not started at home since Jan. 11, 2008. The Canucks also tie Chicago for the most home wins with 27.
I-5 Canucks
NHLHS Canucks Correspondents
hipcheck44@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @Hipcheck44 and @WCE71944
Categories: NHLHS Features, Northwest, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Andrew Raycroft, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Roberto Luongo, Sidney Crosby
Western Road Swing
A season of hope has faded fast.
The New York Islanders who were once a playoff hopeful are now preparing for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Think what you will about the team but understand that this year, even without a playoff appearance, was a season of positives.
Sure there are negatives, which always come with positives, but this seasons Islanders team created somewhat of a balance over the two.
Tonight begins the first of a four game road trip. Three games are against Western Conference clubs and then the Islanders return home to New York to face the Rangers on enemy ice.
Categories: Around the League, Atlantic, Eastern Conference, New York Islanders Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Andrew MacDonald, Cam Fowler, Dustin Kohn, Dwayne Roloson, Henrik Sedin, John Tavares, Josh Bailey, Kyle Okposo, Matt Martin, Matt Moulson, Rick DiPietro, Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin
