- Luongo is on a short leash
- Team believes in Cory just as much as Lu (quietly if not more)
- Believes there will be a goaltender change
- Think 6/7 teams from the West could make a case for the Cup
Predicted a Hawks vs Pens final.
With a healthy Toews, the Hawks still have a very potent offense that can carry a team, but I don't see them going any further than the 2nd round. They are just way too soft. They get hit out of the building if we face them in the second round.
Quick's Playoff numbers beg to differ. My concern is if LA's offense manages to awake from its season long slumber. In terms of depth and goaltending, I think we have handy edges.
He mentioned something about the Kings offense scoring one more goal per game with Carter in the lineup. If Carter is playing a little banged up, I just don't see him being that effective. Hell, he doesn't even show up most of the time when he's healthy.
He mentioned something about the Kings offense scoring one more goal per game with Carter in the lineup. If Carter is playing a little banged up, I just don't see him being that effective. Hell, he doesn't even show up most of the time when he's healthy.
One thing I will say bout the Kings is that Carter and Richards did get to the Final just 2 years ago and that has to count for something. It is going to be no walk in the park.
I don't see how the Kings take this. They've improved, sure, but...
Vancouver is better than in 2010. Their shutdown D Pairing has the second and twentieth best scoring defensemen at even strength. I don't know if there is a more productive pairing at ES, and it happens to be the big minute defensively minded one to boot.
As well, the bottom part of the roster is much better. Schneider is the backup, the bottom six includes Hansen/Higgins/Pahlsson/Malholtra/Lapierre, and the third pairing is now anchored by Chris Tanev.
Compare that to 2010, where Van was playing Baumgartner in the playoffs on the bottom pairing, the fourth line didn't have an actual center(it now has two of the best FO men in the league), and Wellwood played as a checker.
2010 was against a third seed out of a weak division. 2012 the Kings play a the consecutive President's Trophy winners.
The only advantage I see the Kings having is goaltending, and even then, if Luongo fouls up we have a guy who statistically has been better than anyone except Elliot lurking.
Canucks in five. Could be a sweep if Luongo has a strong series.
- Luongo is on a short leash
- Team believes in Cory just as much as Lu (quietly if not more)
- Believes there will be a goaltender change
- Think 6/7 teams from the West could make a case for the Cup
Predicted a Hawks vs Pens final.
Burnside has never been big on the Canucks and I take what he says with a grain of salt.
Luongo may be 'on a short leash', but that's just because they have a reliable option on the bench, one that would be a starter on most teams in this league right now. No need to go 'Luongo or bust' when Schneider is an elite goalie (in AV's words) in his own right. This might actually take pressure off Luongo, knowing it's not all on his shoulders.
I don't see how the Kings take this. They've improved, sure, but...
Vancouver is better than in 2010. Their shutdown D Pairing has the second and twentieth best scoring defensemen at even strength. I don't know if there is a more productive pairing at ES, and it happens to be the big minute defensively minded one to boot.
As well, the bottom part of the roster is much better. Schneider is the backup, the bottom six includes Hansen/Higgins/Pahlsson/Malholtra/Lapierre, and the third pairing is now anchored by Chris Tanev.
Compare that to 2010, where Van was playing Baumgartner in the playoffs on the bottom pairing, the fourth line didn't have an actual center(it now has two of the best FO men in the league), and Wellwood played as a checker.
2010 was against a third seed out of a weak division. 2012 the Kings play a the consecutive President's Trophy winners.
The only advantage I see the Kings having is goaltending, and even then, if Luongo fouls up we have a guy who statistically has been better than anyone except Elliot lurking.
Canucks in five. Could be a sweep if Luongo has a strong series.
I said in 6 but I do see this also. Like I said earlier this really reminds me of the Blues Canucks in 2009. I remember how everyone was saying how the Blues were going to shut down the Canucks... I can see a similar thing happening this time around.
Getting rest in between games of the first round (or finishing the series early and getting a longer rest period) isn't that big of a deal, unless players are bruised/bumped/injured. The team is still usually pumped up. Rest is more important after the second/third series. That's when you're gonna need it most, IMO.
Nonetheless, I don't care all that much about the break in between games 4/5.
vancouver's bottom 6 guys will win the series for the nucks+goaltending. unless kesler wakes the **** up and goes into beastmode. daniel I don't think is ready yet.. maybe finish off the kings early and daniel will come back for round 2 which makes more sense. he'll have lots of time to get back on the ice
Really hard to get excited for round 1 this year like in years past.
I know this is the start of the "real season", but after the G7 loss last year I'm just not as pumped for the early rounds. I just want to see the Canucks back in the Finals.
