Vancouver Canucks

impressive on trip

One thing has impressed itself on me- the Canucks seem ready to pull up their socks when the least is expected of them.  That is hardly a pessimistic view, just think about how it looks.    Vancouver has surprised many by holding its head up with the league’s best goals scoring teams, though it is early in this campaign.  They jump the Rangers in MSG, batting in pucks past King Lundqvist at a rate not seen this year.  That win was certainly good for the Canucks’ soul and exercised some demons.  In a competivitve but lame-ass game on Long Island, Vancouver played as they have to many lesser opponents this year-down to their level.  But they grabbed a point, are making a case for the playoffs a strong possibility, and a division championship attainable.  These are important times and finding an identity in front of Luongo without chatting with Mr. Hyde to often would be very nice.

What I liked about last night’s game in Minnesota was that in a game in which they could easily have walked away without two points and succumbed to playing in front of Curtis Sanford.  They battled hard in this game and didn’t let a surprisingly deep list of forwards have their way with them.  To Sanford’s credit he was good (and lucky) a number of times and made some key saves late in the game to preserve the win and solidify his position in the organization.

Steve Bernier is about to shrug the leopard from his back and begin his ascent again.  I have admired his play and Vancouver is the best place for this kid right now.  The chemistry between the Sedin twins and Pavol Demitra has been amazing AND not at all topped-out yet.  First line status=check.  Mason Raymond’s play has levelled off and he finds himself as a whipping boy all of a sudden.  Bend, don’t break Mason.

Stephan Veilleux was much better than I give him credit for, and I guess that is partly to do with me thinking he has past his prime as a point producing prospect a couple years back.  But his play along the boards and in regards to setting up his mates (James Sheppard mostly).  Everyone is impressed by Niklas Backstrom and Mikko Koivu this year, even Minnesotans.  These guys are playing out of their mind.  M-A Bergeron and Marek Zidlicky have transformed this defence now to more-so of the puck moving variety and Kim Jonsson looked as if he were packing the team on his shoulders late in the third last night with some brilliant rushes up ice.  The Canucks did certainly bear down to hold on, even with a late penalty and the Backstrom pulled, bravo.

Chemistry issues are quickly dissolving and yet the past few games I am bewildered by the faceoff statistics.  Kesler is usually a key guy, with Henrik Sedin taking most of the draws.  Ryan Johnson and Kyle Wellwood have their nights off and on.  Some games they seem focussed.  As a side point, Joey MacDonald is certainly grabbing the ‘hole’ by the horns in an Islanders jersey isn’t he?  Wow, talk about making a case for the job while the franchise player nurses yet another injury.

21 November 2008 / Robin Keith Thompson