I think it's going to get cut again. The DET/NSH game is at 4:30 and ours is at 7:00.
Yeah, it's going be cut off...
Game 1 of NSH/DET started at 5 PST I believe and we still only got cut off a little bit of time (were in time for both anthems), so perhaps it doesn't? I just want that CBC intro, it's what I look forward to among many things.
Game 1 of NSH/DET started at 5 PST I believe and we still only got cut off a little bit of time (were in time for both anthems), so perhaps it doesn't? I just want that CBC intro, it's what I look forward to among many things.
Our game started at 7:30 on Wednesday (while theirs was at 5) and they made it in time for the puck drop. That DET/NSH game did not want to end.
Seriously, if we don't come up with a much better game tomorrow we're in ****ing trouble. I have no doubt we'll be better, but I'm worried it's going to be one of those games where we're good but not quite good enough and LA ends up stealing one.
Seriously, if we don't come up with a much better game tomorrow we're in ****ing trouble. I have no doubt we'll be better, but I'm worried it's going to be one of those games where we're good but not quite good enough and LA ends up stealing one.
This is why you can't throw away games in the playoffs. But meh we have to hope for the best and that luck will come to our side.
I'd rather see Lapierre back on the first line with Henrik and Burrows. He brings the same physical edge as Hansen, but with better hands.
I really, really don't want to mess with the third line. At least not yet. With Daniel out the line juggling did cost us a lot in the chemistry department. Let's not split up the one line, that actually clicks.
I don't know if you noticed, but Booth, Burrows, and Henrik had great games. The 3rd line got their teeth kicked in by Kopitar/Brown/Williams. Hansen-Pahlsson-Higgins has been a great line for the Canucks in general, but they were awful and exploited regularly in the Kopitar match-up.
After the first game of this series I am feeling very reactionary. Really want to try different line combination on D and Forward.
Is this a good idea? Do we admit that the coach made a boo boo?
I'd love to see Higgins on either of the top two lines. We know Amex works, but at the same time I'd love to see Higgins with Burrows and Henrik. All three of those guys are board/puck possesion hounds and good passers. It would be great to get one break out line and then formulate the rest to the team view.
It's too bad Kassian is too raw to be used on the checking line. It seems, from what i've seen from the first game, that nobody on that checking line can handle the power and reach of Kopitar. The only person on our team that I think can take him is one Ryan Kesler in his prime. The thing is Booth really isn't a defensive player. Sure he tries, but trying doesn't always work. Maybe get Hansen with them but I'm still unsure of how that would work. Is Hansen that much better than Raymond?
The Canucks have so many versatile players that can play different roles I have a blender of lines going through my head. Very glad i'm not AV right now, but at the same time I do not agree with his lines. More identity with each line.
Raymond Henrik Burrows --> Raymond just doesn't fit Henrik and Burrows half court style.
Lapierre Kesler Booth --> NO playmaker!
Higgins Pahlsson Hansen --> great checking line but it did not seem to work against Kopitar. I think this is because of the size/speed of Kopitar. Again Ryan Kesler is the only guy that would work good IMO. I at least would try and match this line against Richards and Carter.
4th line. Not happy with Bitz. He took the stupid penalty and he just looks slow out there. Would really like to see Kassian and Lapierre reunited. Those two had an identity. Nice clean hits. Even though Kassian got the penalty for his last game, that was the first one out of how many hits he has thrown? Worth it to keep Malhotra on this line for faceoffs and penalty killing.
Keep the Sedins to offensive draws and 3rd/4th line match ups.
Throw the Kesler line on Kopitar. Keeps Kopitar honest because he has to worry about the offense of the Kesler and also helps Kesler gain some confidence cause you give him a job to do(that he hopefully can do).
The Pahlsson line can take down Richards/Carter. That line doesn't get beat unless it's a power move that they can't handle. They can take Richards/Carter.
Malhotra/Lapierre/Kassian has already been discussed. Energy/hitting/utility players.
I've seen pretty much everybody question the D pairings. Super weird that AV(Bowness?) has decided to switch everything up at the end of the year.
Hamhuis and Bieksa are a bloody solid pair put them together.
Salo has started to look really slow and vulnerable over the last half of the season although many of us saw him as one of the steadiest and most dependable over the first half.
I want to see Salo with Ballard. Salo is a good first pass, but it seems that LA has our breakouts scouted to a tee. This is where Ballard comes in. Ballard is quick quick quick. He won the fastest skater on the Vancouver Canucks. Let him skate it in when LA is clogging it up. I want to see Ballard on the powerplay as well. If it's broke fix it.
That leaves Edler and Tanev. Edler was kind of brutal the first game. Tanev seemed out matched physically. I'm not too sure about this pair but I have a good feeling about it. Maybe it's their personalities that I think would mesh.
Hamhuis Bieksa
Edler Tanev
Ballard Salo
Again AV could just stick with it to instill some confidence and make everybody play the Kings better. I'm no expert. I probably shouldn't panic, but it's happening.
I don't know if you noticed, but Booth, Burrows, and Henrik had great games. The 3rd line got their teeth kicked in by Kopitar/Brown/Williams. Hansen-Pahlsson-Higgins has been a great line for the Canucks in general, but they were awful and exploited regularly in the Kopitar match-up.
Was going to post something similar. I don't know when you go away from that 3rd line, or hope it gains some traction, but you cannot have them play another game like they did against the Kopitar line. The Canucks will lose that match-up and quite possible the game.
I don't know if you noticed, but Booth, Burrows, and Henrik had great games. The 3rd line got their teeth kicked in by Kopitar/Brown/Williams. Hansen-Pahlsson-Higgins has been a great line for the Canucks in general, but they were awful and exploited regularly in the Kopitar match-up.
For long stretches in the game that's true.
They came out uncharacteristically flat. But they also were the line, that cranked it up a notch for a couple of shifts and put some life back into the Canucks game. This was followed up by better than good shifts of the first line. My point is, that they are not only a shutdown line but also an energy line, which is something this team desperately needs.
As long as they are missing Daniel, the fourth line will be basically dead without Lapierre in terms of being an offensive threat.
Btw I didn't criticize Booth or Burrows or Henrik at all. I just don't think that Hansen (and therefore splitting up the 3rd line) is a better solution on the first line than Lapierre, since Lapierre has proved he works well with Hank and Burrows.
Ya that's why I said ideal lines. I really don't know what to do, which is why I'm glad i'm not AV. I believe most players in our lineup can play better so whatever AV does hopefully we can get a better result. We really only lost by one goal with ****loads of penalty trouble.
I get to miss this game because of work, lucky me!
I'm hoping for a much better effort from all the Canucks except for Luongo.. He can continue playing the same like he did in game one. : P
Go Canucks Go! Get a win tonight and tie the series!
Go!
