- Canucks deserved to have their goalie bail them out, as both Schneider and Luongo have woefully underperformed to this point in the season. I'm not a fan of the way they've been utilized (with both guys having large gaps in play), but they both need to be better.
- In terms of getting pucks on net, the team hasn't been that bad over the past 10 games. They've been unlucky to some extent, and last night the "luck" (PDO) went their way.
- While I think the Canucks have been unlucky, I also think they've become awfully predictable. It's really easy to watch the team attack the offensive zone and know what to expect: drive wide, get repelled, and head to the corner to cycle the puck. It reminds me of the way the team plays defense: technically sound, but almost robotic in terms of predictability. That's a double-edged sword. It's a good trait for your systems, but unpredictability is a useful feature of a hockey team. It's why the Sedins excel, or why Datsyuk excels for Detroit despite their strong systems play. Too many of the Canucks lines play the exact same way all the time, and I think that's why they run into trouble in the post-season.
- Further to the last point, I think some of the best teams in the league are the ones with strict systems play but enough uniquely talented players that can play outside the system when a moment arises. That's a hard thing to quantify statistcially, but it's something I watch for in games. It's why Doughty can be such a force in the playoffs when his game starts clicking. Heck, it's why even a sometimes limited player like Bieksa can be so useful.
- Schneider really was excellent last night. That's the best he's looked since the Chicago game, probably about as good as his play against Anaheim in the 5-1 game in January.
- Schroeder had a good game.
- Sedins/Burrows continue to dominate at ES. Eventually you have to think Burr gets back to at least being a 10% shooter. Rotten luck this season with the number of pucks he's putting on net.
- Garrison's willingness to fire pucks on net quickly is refreshing. Why did this adjustment take 20 games?