As Chris Higgins says the play-offs are a war of attrition and the Canucks have the depth and versatility to handle it going deep. However teams start the play-offs at their healthiest so it can be an equalizer for teams like LA that do not have that depth:
“It’s going to be a difficult challenge because they have a lot of players who can hurt you and they play good defence and have a great goalie,” said Canucks winger Chris Higgins. “It’s going to be a hard-fought series.”
“You just never know what’s going to happen in the playoffs,” said Higgins, who hobbled through the last two and half series last spring with a fractured foot and has played on the second and third lines this season. “Your going to have injuries and the fact we can move guys up and down the lineup is a positive for us. And it usually ends up being a war of attrition.” http://www.theprovince.com/news/Canu...#ixzz1rUFl33xz
Sounds Like Maxim Lapierre is revving up his game and he could be a key contributor with some timely offence.
“I had to bring some energy and bring a good hit,” said Lapierre, who had four shots and three that missed the mark against the Oilers. “I don’t know what it is about this time of the year — maybe it’s because there’s more sun — I feel unreal in April all the time and it’s going to keep going this year. I really like this time of the season when every game has a direct impact on our season. I just like the big challenges.”
I'm wondering how the Kings think they'll score any goals in this series?
Kopitar has tons of skill and no balls. He'll never be a pressure player. I don't expect him to be a factor. Williams sucks, Carter is hurt, Brown is more focused on diving than playing.
Richards is the only player that scares me, he can be a game breaker in the playoffs.
Nobody on their D can make a pass except Doughty, and I'm not too impressed with what I've seen from him this season. Mitchell, Scuderi and Greene are the kind of dead-puck plugs that the Canucks' forwards should be able to skate rings around.
Lots of pressure on the goaltenders in this series. Quick will have to be massive. I think the only way the Kings can win is if he dominates. I don't think that will happen.
What's up with Simon Gagne, is he playing? Also, I'm really happy they traded Simmonds away.
Would have been nice to get the first game Friday schedule like the Devils/Panthers. More time to get Daniel ready.
Here are the Canadian broadcast partners for all the series.
CBC will do the Canucks-Kings series, with the coverage team of Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson and Scott Oake.
Of the other Western series, the Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings begin on Wednesday (CBC), with the San Jose Sharks-St. Louis Blues series starting on Thursday (TSN), as well as the Chicago Blackhawks-Phoenix Coyotes series (TSN).
In the East, the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins series begins on Wednesday (TSN), with Thursday starts for the series between the New York Rangers-Ottawa Senators (CBC) and Boston Bruins-Washington Capitals (CBC).
The New Jersey Devils-Florida Panthers series starts on Friday (TSN).
Would have been nice to get the first game Friday schedule like the Devils/Panthers. More time to get Daniel ready.
Here are the Canadian broadcast partners for all the series.
CBC will do the Canucks-Kings series, with the coverage team of Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson and Scott Oake.
Of the other Western series, the Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings begin on Wednesday (CBC), with the San Jose Sharks-St. Louis Blues series starting on Thursday (TSN), as well as the Chicago Blackhawks-Phoenix Coyotes series (TSN).
In the East, the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins series begins on Wednesday (TSN), with Thursday starts for the series between the New York Rangers-Ottawa Senators (CBC) and Boston Bruins-Washington Capitals (CBC).
The New Jersey Devils-Florida Panthers series starts on Friday (TSN).
Interesting.. I would've thought CBC would be all over that series
Yeah. I don't get why Higgins isn't a consistent 2nd liner based on effort alone.
I want to see Higgins, Booth and Kesler be RIGHT in Quick's crease.
I'm calling Vancouver in 5 and a melt down on special teams for LA. Primarily due to havoc in front of Quick that he can't overcome.
Higgins in a second line role isn't as effective. His hitting and board work suffer as he looks for nice passes and sits in the slot for shots.
It's not a knock on him but when we have a guys like Booth who can perform as well as Higgins (or slightly better/worse depending on your view point) in a second line role but CAN'T match up with him in a checking role. Higgins is a victim of his own hard work and defensive responsibilities.
I'd also like to see the amex line put together and Raymond on the 3rd. Raymond is just not top 6 material, hes meant to be on the 3rd line and I think the amex line could wreak havoc in the playoffs while still having that 3rd line checking unit
They're a physical team with great goaltending. I was hoping for the Sharks but we just have to stay positive, play our game, and stick with the process.
CBC's reps publicly stated that the Nucks series would be their first choice. Sens would have to be picked 2nd as they are a Canadian team. The rest of the order is pretty easily guessed.
I'd also like to see the amex line put together and Raymond on the 3rd. Raymond is just not top 6 material, hes meant to be on the 3rd line and I think the amex line could wreak havoc in the playoffs while still having that 3rd line checking unit
Id like raymond on the 4th line TBH... I would do AMEX and Lapierre-Pahlsson-Hansen... they would hit the crap out of the Kings.
