Crummy news about Ballard. Sulzer is OK, but damn, I was really hoping I wouldn't have to see Alberts back in the lineup so soon. Le sigh. Hopefully that pair gets minimal time on the ice.
Crummy news about Ballard. Sulzer is OK, but damn, I was really hoping I wouldn't have to see Alberts back in the lineup so soon. Le sigh. Hopefully that pair gets minimal time on the ice.
At least it's a home game and not on the road, that would have been really ugly.
On SportsNet Hockey Central at noon, Louis Jean claims that the Habs are waiting to name a permanent coach because they have designs on Alain Vigneault. According to this doofus Vigneault is gone out of Vancouver at the end of the season if he fails to win a Stanley Cup.
Good. I think he is a good enough coach to get them a cup, but if he fails to do so move on before the team falls apart.
Think what you want about AV as a coach but he seems to be a really good fit for our team. AV has a mancrush on Rome.. but the team loves Rome too. What ever gets us wins.
I still hold a grudge against Koivu for the Ohlund head hunt/ankle correction maneuver.
Bygones be bygones.
Koivu has been an incredible player on the Wild and consistently good even when the team is bad. Now that they're doing well it's good to see him get results from his efforts.
24. The more I watch Vancouver, the more I think the key is Ryan Kesler. There are a lot of really good players on that team, but Kesler is the catalyst -- the critical piece. With everything that happened to the Canucks in the Stanley Cup Final this past spring, can't help but wonder if they find a way to win one more game if Kesler's closer to 100 per cent.
25. Canucks goaltending coach Roland Melanson is making a small adjustment with Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider. He generally likes them playing deeper, but is allowing them to challenge a little if a player is in obvious shooting position (ie. walking in alone).
26. Cody Hodgson of the Canucks had some interesting insight into the big hit he took from Senators forward Nick Foligno last week. Hodgson said he walked into it by trying to make an extra puck-handling move (and you can see it on the video). Against Carolina, he felt he avoided a similar collision by being simpler.
Luongo is starting I presume? Good move, the Schneid doesn't seem to play well vs Minny for some reason.
Luongo's been very good lately, he's gone 4-0-1 in his last 5 with a SV% of 0.939. Minnesota gets to Schneider, I'm not sure why. I'm quite comfortable having Lu in net at home against them.
Koivu has been an incredible player on the Wild and consistently good even when the team is bad. Now that they're doing well it's good to see him get results from his efforts.
Nah. Still carry a grudge.
But he is an excellently hockey player. Lots of excellent hockey players I don't like. Funny thing is, I'm not a grudge carrier in real life. But hockey....man, I still hate Dennis Potvin for taking out Billy Derlago's knee.
Boo I like watching Koivu.
