I don't see this series against LA as being overly challenging for the Canucks. I could very easily see a sweep here. The Canucks have basically been coasting all season waiting for the REAL season to begin.... and they still won the Presidents Cup. They're built much better for playoff hockey this year than they were last year...
I'm not at all scared of the LA defense without JJ... he was a very important piece to their backend.
I don't see this series against LA as being overly challenging for the Canucks. I could very easily see a sweep here. The Canucks have basically been coasting all season waiting for the REAL season to begin.... and they still won the Presidents Cup. They're built much better for playoff hockey this year than they were last year...
I'm not at all scared of the LA defense without JJ... he was a very important piece to their backend.
LMAO!!! Jack Johnson was the Kings minus leader. His offensive contributions have been supplemented by Voynov. I would worry about the a top 5 defense and argueably the best goalie in the league.
LMAO!!! Jack Johnson was the Kings minus leader. His offensive contributions have been supplemented by Voynov. I would worry about the a top 5 defense and argueably the best goalie in the league.
Ditto, I have no idea why they think losing jack was a big woe, he was terrible on defense, voynov isn't as slick but he has a great shot and good defense, so losing jack benefited us.
I don't see this series against LA as being overly challenging for the Canucks. I could very easily see a sweep here. The Canucks have basically been coasting all season waiting for the REAL season to begin.... and they still won the Presidents Cup. They're built much better for playoff hockey this year than they were last year...
I'm not at all scared of the LA defense without JJ... he was a very important piece to their backend.
Kings are better defensively without JJ ... Voynov(JJ's replacement) is ALOT better then you are giving him credit for... This was a prime case of addition by subtraction
Kings are better defensively without JJ ... Voynov(JJ's replacement) is ALOT better then you are giving him credit for... This was a prime case of addition by subtraction
Exactamundo. I'm sure Canuck fans remember Johnson ripping it up on the PP during the series a few years ago but he got abused defensively seemingly every time he stepped foot on the ice, which is an all-too-common theme with him. I think (and hope!) that Voynov will become a household name after this series. Yes, he doesn't have playoff experience but he he's been a professional for 6 years now (he's 22) so I don't think the big stage will get to him. His slap shot is incredible, not quite Weber status but it's up there. He probably would have led all rookie d-men in scoring if he was with the big club all year, his defensive play is also better than Johnson's. Recently, he's replaced Doughty on the first PP unit so that's certainly a testament to his offensive skill despite Doughty's off year
Every Canuck fan that calls the Kings blue line corps slow and incapable of making an outlet pass, is in for quite the surprise when they see the mobility of Slava Voynov and Alec Martinez.
This is going to be the most exciting series of the 1st Round, for sure.
I haven't been quoting anyone in this thread, but there are more than a few that seem to have huge chips on their shoulders, on both sides...
This is NOT going to be like the series two years ago. Both teams are different; better on most fronts. Both teams have weaknesses; perceived and real. Both teams have injuries to key guys; Carter likely not as effective on one leg and the Sedins not as effective with one twin.
In the end, the Canucks take this series... It will be tough fought, but it doesn't go the distance.
Every Canuck fan that calls the Kings blue line corps slow and incapable of making an outlet pass, is in for quite the surprise when they see the mobility of Slava Voynov and Alec Martinez.
This is going to be the most exciting series of the 1st Round, for sure.
Gonna have to go with pens/philly. that series is going to be a bloodbath.
Does anyone remember when Jim Rome aired 8 Canadian callers in 2 mins during last years Stanley cup finals.
It was hilarious because 7 of the 8 Canadian callers chirped the Canucks, while the only one who didn't was from Vancouver himself.
Rome was expecting the Canucks to be "Canada's team" but that was the not the case at all.
As an anti-Canucks fan I am very happy the Canucks drew L.A. in the first round. I honestly believe the Canucks would have walked all over San Jose. With the Kings I feel it will be a much tougher series. If Vancouver does in fact get by L.A. I don't expect them to escape without some serious nicks and bruises.
Last edited by Hammer Slammer: 04-08-2012 at 11:54 PM.
Ditto, I have no idea why they think losing jack was a big woe, he was terrible on defense, voynov isn't as slick but he has a great shot and good defense, so losing jack benefited us.
Except the fact JJ was easily the best D-man vs canucks in the playoffs when we faced eachother.
NHL: Playoffs Preview - Kings vs Canucks
NHL Tonight previews Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks.
4/08/2012 5:26 Mins
The panel (Paul Maurice, Mike Johnson, EJ Hradek) picks the Canucks in 5 or 6 games - just too strong for the Kings to handle.
I don't see this series against LA as being overly challenging for the Canucks. I could very easily see a sweep here. The Canucks have basically been coasting all season waiting for the REAL season to begin.... and they still won the Presidents Cup. They're built much better for playoff hockey this year than they were last year...
I'm not at all scared of the LA defense without JJ... he was a very important piece to their backend.
Going to be a chippy series. Doughty and co. like to think they are the boston bruins whenever they play us.
Do Canuck fans really think this? With the exception of Richardson's post goal cheap shot on one of the Sedins and Clifford's mugging of Weise earlier this year I can't remember any overly physical/dirty play in recent years. I think most Kings fans think the team is a little too soft, certainly no where close to Boston's physicality/pesty behavior. Fraser is really the only guy on the roster that actively attempts to start crap with opponents. Clifford, Nolan, Greene, Mitchell and Richards typically only fight when provoked (although Clifford and Nolan are heavy hitters). Brown only fights when he gets jumped. Not trying to be a dick, I'm legitimately curious
