DANIELPALFREDSSON'S VANCOUVER CANUCKS GM LOG POST 9: SEASON 2 PLAYOFFS!
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PREVIOUS ENTRIES
1-
Taking Over
2-
First Big Trade
3-
What Does The Lineup Look Like?
4-
The biggest trade in modern NHL history?
5-
Playoffs?
6-
The Annual Off Season Mega Trade!
7-
Get to know Vancouver's core and prospects
8-
Season 2 Summary
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ROUND 1 VS SAN JOSE (43-31-8)
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PROJECTED PLAYOFF LINES
Bartschi SNP 83-Sedin PLY 88-Vrbata SNP 85
Sedin SNP 87-Galchenyk PLY 85-Sutter TWF 84
Higgins SNP 83-Horvat TWF 83-Downie GRN 83
Jensen SNP 81-Colborne PWF 80-Hansen GRN 81
Hamhuis TWD 88-Seabrook DFD 88
Edler TWD 85- Ellis OFD 85
Russel OFD 81-Pateryn DFD 80
Miller 89
Markstrom 85
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GAME 1
Henrik Sedin scores in the first to put Vancouver up. Despite Vancouver out shooting San Jose 24-12, they are able to tie the game in the second. San Jose dominates the offense from that point forward and catches up in shots. After a few tense moments killing off a powerplay in the third Vancouver holds on to bring the game to OT. We see a different Vancouver team in OT as they dominate the offensive end of the game. Sutter ultimately scores the winning goal as Vancouver take game 1 outshooting San Jose 41-26.
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GAME 2
In their second game at home, Vancouver has an opportunity to take a 2-0 series lead. The Canucks once again dominate offensively, out shooting the Sharks 24-9 by the end of the second period. Jones proves himself, only allowing a single goal by Daniel “the serious one” Sedin. In a putrid display of offense, the Sharks only muster 6 shots in the third period while their goalie stands on his head and keeps them in the game all the way up to the Canuck's 34th shot. Canucks win 1-0 and take a 2-0 series lead as we head to San Jose.
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**BREAKING NEWS: DAN HAMHUIS INJURED. POTENTIALLY OUT FOR GAMES 3, 4, and 5.**
Weber will dress on the bottom pairing. In a move out of left-field, left OFD Kris Russel will move to the top pairing to play with Seabrook while LD Edler and ROFD Ellis will stay on the second pairing.
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GAME 3
This game will give Vancouver fans a preview of what they can expect out of their squad if Hamhuis walks in the summer. Can the team still manage to win without their franchise defender leading the way? For the first time in the series San Jose takes the lead with an early goal from Wingels. A Pavelski goal in the second period puts San Jose up 2-0 and for the first time in the series they are drastically outshooting Vancouver. After being down 2-0, Henrik Sedin was rumoured to have given a speech that rivalled Al Pacino's from Any Given Sunday.....the only problem? It was in Swedish. Luckily for the Canuck's, Sven Baertschi had picked up some Swedish playing on a line with a Sedin, and started the third period with two straight goals to tie the game. The Canucks then took over the game, out shooting the Sharks, but once again Martin Jones stood on his head and with a late Brent Burn goal helped keep the Sharks from going down 3-0 in the series. Sharks win 3-2 to bring the series within one game.
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GAME 4
Vancouver's OFDs deliver early with Ellis and Russel scoring in the first five minutes of the game. The Sharks come within one, but Baerstchi continues his hot streak and puts Vancouver up 3-1 at the end of the first. The Canucks and Sharks trade goals in the second to bring the game to 4-2 and from there both teams go all out offensively. Even without Hamhuis, Vancouver is able to hold off the Sharks and win the game to take a 3-1 series lead.
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GAME 5
The Sharks are backed up against a wall, and face elimination. Bo Horvat scores early to put the Canucks up. Canucks young guns deliver and by the end of the second period, the Canucks are up 3-0 with goals by Horvat, Galchenyuk, and Baertschi. After spending the majority of the game sleeping, and being out shoot 2:1, the Sharks show up for the third and score two quick goals. In a dramatic finish, the Sharks pelt the net with shots, they pull their goalie, but Ryan Miller stops everything sent his way and helps lead the Canucks to a game 5 victory to clinch the series.
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ROUND 2 VS THE ANAHEIM DUCKS (47-30-5)
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In a rematch from last year's conference final, the Canucks look to get revenge and dispose of the Ducks.
BREAKING NEWS: Ryan Miller left practice early. The Canucks have been tight lipped regarding the situation, could he be injured?
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GAME 1
As the game starts, concerned Vancouver fans notice Ryan Miller donning a Canuck's cap while warming the bench. Jacob Markstrom is in net to start the game. Vancouver fans have a right to be concerned as Jacob Markstrom only managed an .880 save percentage in 19 games during the regular season compared to Ryan Miller's .919 over 69 games. If Markstrom is going to make a claim to be Vancouver's future starter, now is the time for him to do it.
Baertschi scores on the first shot of the game and continues his hot streak as Vancouver's top goal scorer in the playoffs. Galchenyk adds a goal, and Markstrom stops 10 shots for a perfect first period.
Markstrom plays a very average game, allowing 3 goals over 31 shots for a .903 save percentage. This would typically be a cause for concern, but because Vancouver managed to put NINE GOALS ON THE BOARD for a 9-3 win.....it was a non-issue. Daniel Sedin, Dan Hamhuis, and Steve Downie all had 3 points each.
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GAME 2
Canuck's fans are relieved to find out that Ryan Miller will be starting this game. After a surprising blowout in Anaheim, the Ducks and Canucks go head to head once again. In the complete opposite of game 1, the game remains tied 0-0 until mid way through the second when the Ducks score the first goal. Anaheim add two more before the third, and all of a sudden, we have a new series on our hands. With a 34 shot shutout, John Gibson quiets any talk that he might not be ready to lead the Ducks in the playoffs. Ducks win 3-0 and tie the series 1-1.
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GAME 3
Bottom pairing defender Kris Russel isn't dressed for the game and has been replaced by Yanick Weber. Back in Vancouver the Canucks look to retake the momentum in the series. Henrik Sedin leads his team, scoring early in the game but the Ducks take the lead in the second period with goals by Sekac and Kesler. Kesler gives the Ducks a 3-1 lead in the third but the Canucks fight back and with goals by Downie, that other Sedin, and Galchenyuk, despite being outshot 39-26, the Canucks take a late 4-3 lead and win the game. The Canucks lead the series 2-1.
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VANCOUVER SUN ARTICLE: Canucks Acquisitions Paying Off
An article appears in the Vancouver Sun outlining the playoff success of Danielpalfredsson's acquisitions since taking over the Canucks. In a huge surprise, Steve Downie has been possessed by the soul of Claude Lemieux and is a few points away from leading the team. He also has the second most hits amongst forwards. Seabrook doesn't lead the team in points, but as a DFD he has the best plus minus and the most hits on the entire team. Off-season blockbuster acquisition Alex Galchenyuk has 3 goals and 9 points in 8 playoff games to lead the team.
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GAME 4
The Canucks could make things very easy on themselves by winning this game and making the Ducks face elimination. The Ducks come out swinging and end the first period with a 3-0 lead. After another motivational Swedish speech, the Canucks fight back in the second and with three straight goals tie the game. In the third period goals by Sekac and Fowler give Anaheim a 5-3 lead. The lead sticks, and the series is now tied two games a piece.
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BREAKING NEWS: BRENT SEABROOK INJURED, POTENTIALLY OUT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE POST SEASON
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GAME 5
In a shocking development, Jacob Markstrom looks to be in net to start the game. Despite the series being tied, Miller is 1-2 in the series and has allowed 12 goals in three games. He finished last game with an .880 save percentage. Is this move far too desperate for a series that is tied 2 games a piece?
Hamhuis and Downie both put Vancouver on the board early in the first. Markstrom allows 1 goal on 9 shots in the first period.
With a series of power plays, Vancouver take a 4-1 lead in the second period. Markstrom seizes his opportunity, and blanks Anaheim for two straight periods leading Vancouver to a 5-1 win. Markstrom gets the first star of the night with a .970 save percentage and 33 shots against.
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MARKSTROM TO START A CRITICAL GAME 6
After a brilliant game 5 performance, Jacob Markstrom will start game 6. Ryan Miller, Jacob Markstrom, and all those involved are saying the right things, Ryan Miller commented “He played a great game, and I'm happy that we won” when interviewed. Still, those in Vancouver's pesky hockey media can't help but play up the goalie controversy angle, commenting that Miller looked dismayed, and suggesting that despite being one of the best goalies in the NHL over the last two seasons, he's too old to hold up over a full season and a long playoffs.
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GAME 6
Vancouver attempt to take the series at home. The team has a strong first period, heavily outshooting Vancouver as a Hansen goal puts them up 1-0. Anaheim finally crack Markstrom after three periods of being shut out to tie the game, but another goal from an unlikely source in Pateryn puts Vancouver up 2-1.
In the third period, Anaheim score three straight to take a 4-2 lead. With 36 shots on goal, Markstrom is handed his first playoff loss with a .889 save percentage. The Ducks have a goalie controversy of their own as Frederik Andersen started the game and had a phenomenal .946 performance.
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UPDATE: BRENT SEABROOK POTENTIALLY BACK IN TIME FOR CONFERENCE FINAL
Miller VS Markstrom: WHO WILL START GAME 7?
The bloom might already be off the rose with Markstrom who was handed his first loss. Despite this, he still has a .923 save percentage but that is over only 3 and a half games.
Ryan Miller has a .917 save percentage, but it is vastly inflated by his stats from the opening round against San Jose. He's yet to have a good game against Anaheim, and also was unremarkable last year in the conference final. Markstrom has won two games against Anaheim out of the three that Vancouver have won this series.
It is a no-win choice, because no matter what happens, a vocal part of the fan base will state that is the wrong choice. Who will start game 7?
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GAME 7
Miller looks to be starting. If he loses, could this be his last game as a Canuck?
In what is shaping up to be a goalie battle, both teams are unable to score until half way through the second when Getzlaf puts Anaheim up 1-0.
The shots are 35-28 Anaheim, Miller is having a brilliant game after standing on his head to help kill multiple third period Anaheim powerplays. There are three minutes left, and Vancouver needs a hero to tie the game as Anaheim is still up 1-0.
With two minutes to go, Perry takes a cheap shot on Hamhuis taking his knee out from behind. Sutter drops the gloves and defends his team mate. Perry and Sutter go off, and Vancouver goes on a powerplay as they desperately need a goal.
Seconds into the powerplay, Henrik Sedin gets called for a controversial slash and as a result the remaining time will be 4 on 4 with both team's missing two of their best players.
With 17 seconds to go, Vancouver have an offensive zone faceoff and pull their goalie. Getzlaf wins the faceoff, carries the puck out of the zone, and ices the game with an empty net goal.
In a tight game that saw Miller step up with a .973 save percentage, the Canucks were unable to beat a red hot Frederik Andersen and as a result are once again eliminated by their new biggest rival....the Anaheim Ducks.
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OFF SEASON PREVIEW: KEY STORYLINES
GM DANIELPALFREDSSON NEEDS TO WIN
Next season, GM Danielpalfredsson will be in the final year of his initial three year virtual GM contract with the Vancouver Canucks. If he fails to meet owner Francesco Aquilini's expectations, he could find himself applying to manage his local Kia dealership.
With the Canucks retirement a possibility, and multiple key players on expiring UFA deals who have yet to announce whether or not they intend to test the market (Seabrook, Hamhuis, Downie), Danielpalfredsson is set to have his work cut out for him this off season.
He cannot go into a rebuild if everybody retires, because the owner wants a winning season. He'll have to work the trade market and find a way to win.
SEDINS NEARING RETIREMENT
For a second season in a row, the Sedins came close to winning their cup but the Canucks lost to rival Ryan Kesler and the Anaheim Ducks in a heart breaking game 7 defeat. Could this be the year where the Sedins retire, and thus force the Canucks into a rebuild?
CAN DANIELPALFREDSSON KEEP THE CANUCKS DEFENSE IN TACT?
Danielpalfredsson will have his work cut out for him in a huge off season where franchise defender Dan Hamhuis and free agent acquisition Brent Seabrook will both be UFAs, and both could potentially walk.
MULTIPLE TEAMS CALLING ABOUT RYAN MILLER AND JACOB MARKSTROM
There is a goalie controversy brewing in Vancouver. Ryan Miller is considered to be an elite top goalie in the league, but he is also on the final year of his deal and in his mid 30's. Jacob Markstrom has goalie of the future potential, but he only has a single year left on his deal prior to becoming a UFA, and aside from a good showing in a few games during the playoffs hasn't proved to the Canucks that he can carry the load as a starting goalie.
With the draft coming up, could one of these goalies be dealt to another team?
UP NEXT: THE NHL DRAFT